A painter picks up a brush and expresses what is deep in his or her heart.  A photographer does the same.  The only difference is that photographer’s tool of creativity is a camera.  To an ordinary eye, it seems like it is a point-and-shoot, not a big deal.  However, it is not that simple.  See, the real photographer captures what is inside his or her heart using the outside world.

There are so many photographers with simple and gigantic with telescopic lenses cameras.  There are beginners and there are professionals.  Yet, some photographers stand out more than others, and not necessarily the ones with the best cameras around.  Why is that?  There are point and shoot and go people, and there are real artists.  What distinguishes artists from regulars?  They are masters of what they do.  They are masters of their craft.  They have an artistic eye and open heart and use them to create magical masterpieces.

How do they do that?  We can learn from them using these techniques:

1.  Capture what is in your heart.

2. Shoot with the feeling (this should come naturally).

3. Be aware of surroundings.  Notice things other people miss.

4. Use imagination, be creative.  Try different angles, textures, focus.  Do not be afraid to experiment.

5. Do not let anything stop you (rain, dark, etc.).

6. Follow your gut feeling.

7. Be patient.

8. Be your own boss (do not follow rules, be different).

9. Practice makes it better.  Know camera as your best friend.

10. Have a camera always ready. You never know what you’ll see.

First and foremost, capturing what is in your heart is a main and most important ingredient.  If you shoot what you do not love or like, pictures always will look crappy.  Now, if you capture something you love, it will show in your pictures.  You’ll give a special attention to your subject and even might find better angles to shoot.  The connection to a subject will make a whole world of difference.  If you love people and fashion, for example, specialize as a fashion photographer.  If nature and animals are in your heart, be a nature photographer.  Some photographers are skilled in various areas.  They bring love and undivided attention in anything they choose to capture.

Second technique is an extension of first.  If the first step is utilized, second technique should come naturally.  When capturing a subject, bring out a feeling.  Get to know the subject.  For example, in shooting a rose, smell it, admire its beauty.  Bring that awe and fragrance into a picture.  While capturing animals or birds, get to know them, study their behavior.  In shooting pets, play with them, bring out the cuddliness.  Look for traits of personality and capture the right moments.  In capturing people, get to know them to capture a real essence of them.  While shooting places, get to know the history and feel the energy, capture the light.

To have a great photographic eye, you got to be aware of surroundings and be present.  This way you can notice things that others miss.  Being in the now will surprise you what kind of things you start to notice.  You might be seeing the same things everyday.  However, if you look more closely, you can always notice something new.  For example, you go to the park and follow the same route.  If you are aware of your surroundings, you might notice a new flower or tree blooming.  In capturing people, you might use a different angle, different background.  Also, there might be an animal camouflaged.  Many people might drive or go the same routes, and they might not notice what is in front of them.  To be aware of surroundings all the time, it might bring some surprises.

In creating pictures, do not be afraid to use your imagination.  Be creative.  Try different angles, textures, focus.  Do not be afraid to experiment.  Bring your camera to the ground, shoot from up, sideways, upside down.  Let your creativity flow.  Make up backgrounds, shoot a splash of color in a dull places.  Capture different emotions, movements, surprising angles.  Sky is the limit to your abundant creativity.  Do not be afraid to be different, odd, unusual.

Once the sun goes down or starts raining or snowing, we find ourselves cooped up inside.  However, we miss some best shots.  Surprisingly, we can make the most creative shots in these conditions.  Rain brings the best reflections and raindrops that look like diamonds.  The night brings the splashes of colors.  Do not let any weather condition stop you.

Another technique is always follow your gut feeling.  If you do, you’ll find some great opportunities to take pictures in certain places at certain times.  That’s how I found much of wildlife and got pretty close to them.  Your inner knowing knows the best.  Never deny it.

Patience plays an important role as well.  It is easy to shoot a bird and animal standing.  Now, if they are in action, it is so much more interesting.  It brings out aliveness and personality, a moment.  Sometimes, we got to wait for a right timing, right light, right motion.  Also, the same goes with people.  We can take numerous shots and may not like any of them.  Now, if we have a subject to relax, or surprise them unexpectedly, or taking candid shots, we can capture their essence and personality.  I remember one winter my toes were getting cold in the water to the point of numbness, but I captured the most incredible pelican family fishing photos.  Patience is the key to find that right timing and right moment that pays off tremendously in creative shots.

If we would follow all the rules, there would be no creativity left and all the photos would be the same.  Be innovative, create something that nobody created.  Rebel because in being a rebel, all creativity comes out.

Of course, then comes practice.  In shooting constantly, we get to know our camera as a best friend.  We start from basics.  Then we get closer, then we try out creative shots, then experiment different angles, different lighting, different moods.  With practice, our hands become more steady in cases where we do not use tripod.  With practice, our pictures become better and better.  We see our subjects differently; we incorporate different techniques.

At last, always have your camera ready.  You don’t want to miss what you suddenly see.  You don’t want to miss opportunities that present themselves.  If you do miss the shot, just take time to enjoy what you see.  Do not beat yourself up that you have no camera ready.

My camera is my constant companion.  It taught me to be in the present, to enjoy every moment, to see things that many people miss.  Through camera, I capture moments that take my breath away, surprise me.  Through photos, I tell stories what I see, feel, touch, experience, hear and love to share with others.

See how to shoot your beloved pet here.