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There is a lot of planning that goes into going out and shooting, even if I don't always know exactly what I am shooting. Sometimes there is a lot of thought after arriving as well because even the best laid plans don't always work out. Again, I think that show with the madman in a box had a segment that explains it well.
The Doctor: You didn't always take me where I wanted to go.
Idris (Tardis): No, but I always took you where you needed to go.
The Doctor: You did!
My plans don't always take me where I want to go, but it's always where I need go. This past summer is a great example. I spent months working out the plans to go on a backpacking trip, 8 days in Glacier National Park. I had a couple friends agree to go with, planned food, transportation, permits, etc. I knew exactly where I wanted to go in Glacier National Park and had a good idea of several shots I wanted to take while there. The fourth day into the trip I dropped off the other 3 people to take a bus elsewhere, they weren't continuing with me. I wasn't willing to go into the back country by myself, especially in bear country. While concentrating on taking pictures I can be rather quiet, which isn't good to keep the wildlife away. So I didn't continue on that trip, but talked with some of the people there, looked at maps and came up with a different plan to stay at Yellowstone National Park, which is where we were on day 4, for a few days and then head up to Glacier National Park and do something else.
Even while hiking and having no set idea on exactly what I want to shoot, I will have a concept. On my trip this summer the concept was running water and waterfalls. I didn't know exactly what running water but I had a concept (even though I hadn't decided on how I'll print them) While hiking along a river something would catch my eye and I'd stop and look. Sometimes the shot came to me instantly because it's what I saw while walking, other times I would move around, look at the water from different angles to come up with a shot, or a couple different shots. I had a concept of what I wanted in the end even if I didn't have the specifics.
The day I hiked up to Apgar Lookout, which wasn't along any water, I didn't take as many shots. It was more of a "I want to see if I can do this" rather than taking specific shots. Because I didn't have a concept for that day I didn't get much in the way of good shots. My focus was elsewhere so I didn't see as much.
So, for those who think that photography is just pointing and clicking, follow a photographer around a day. See how much thinking is involved in creating the shots we get. Ansel Adams said it well because if you don't have a concept you won't get that fantastic shot... well, if you just shoot and shoot and shoot, anyone can get 1-2 good shots after a few thousand, but I don't want to waste that amount of time...
-Steven J Donley
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