5 Tips to Photograph When You’re In A Rush

I know how hard it is to take time to really focus on your photography when you’re in a rush.  I’m always in a rush when I’m with family and friends. With that said, take your camera with you anyways.  You can still have fun playing with your shots.  Here are 5 ways to photograph and be creative when you’re in a rush.

1. Motion Blur – you can make some beautiful work slowing your shutter speed and moving your camera.
2. Look for patterns – Even if you blur a bit with patterns your eyes really pull to the pattern not blur.
3. Hold your breath and pulling your elbows in –  Seriously, it really works.  You make yourself a human tripod.
4. Use a lens with Image Stabilizer – It’s hard to have a tripod around when you’re in a rush and with non-photographers.  This type of lens will help you make a sharper image.
5. Use a shallow depth of field –  1.4 to 5.6 usually works for me, sometimes I go to f11 when it’s bright outside.  Since the aperture is open you’ll have more light coming into your camera so you can speed up the shutter speed.  Just make sure your main focal point is nice and sharp.

Keep your camera with you all of the time. I say this because if you love photography like me and you don’t have your tripod or that perfect lens, it shouldn’t matter. Some people get all caught up on equipment and feel that their images won’t be worth anything because they don’t have the correct setup. Yes, when you plan a shoot it makes all the difference, but when you can’t it’s okay too.

It’s a great time to really learn your camera.  Just play and not worry if you can’t get the sharp image you planned on grabbing at the time.  The more you photograph the more you learn.

1.  Motion Blur –

2. Look for patterns –

3. Hold your breath and pull in your elbows

4. Lenses with Image Stabilizers –

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens

5. Use a shallow depth of field –

In our membership for July’s challenge we’re keeping our cameras with us everywhere we go to learn something new within or outside of your camera.  Your camera should be part of you, an extension of you.  The more you’re comfortable with your camera the better you’ll feel when you pick it up.

I challenge you to take your camera everywhere and photograph when the opportunity arises: lunch break, when you go for a walk, grocery shopping, etc…  Really get to understand your camera inside and out. 

Have any suggestions for us?  I’d love to know your tips when you’re photographing in a rush, share them below.

Cheers,

Janice Sullivan

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