Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) - Costa Rica
Canon 5D markII + Canon 180 f3.5L Macro

What is the difference between the travel snapshot that says “I was there,” from a compelling image that makes an artistic statement about a place and time. With the ubiquitous image capture device in billions of pockets and purses, our challenge is to make pictures that give pause for thought. In a world where time is ephemeral and immediacy is expected, it is the image that captures the imagination and focuses the viewer’s mind that will garner more than the obligatory two-second glance.

Hanging Around Prague
Canon 5D + Canon 24-105mm f4.0L IS

The image taker is the snapshooter. The snapshooter walks haplessly with the cell phone in hand, arms extended, and calling for smiles. These images have slanted horizons, national park signs, and generic pictures suitable for the “magic albums” of the 1970’s. Photography can become a transcendental experience for those who learn to slow time.

After the Storm - Minnesota
Canon 7D + Canon 300mm f2.8L IS @ f3.2

Tip #25: Be an Image Maker

Turn the cell phone off (even iPhones can be shutdown), extract the camera from its hiding place, and “go walkabout.” Mount your camera to a tripod and slowly investigate a place. Study the patterns in leaves, the atmospherics in a habitat, and the details of your subject. Turn the autopilot off and take back the controls. To be in the moment, you will need to select the optimum shutter-speed and aperture for your subject, ponder an intriguing composition, and make a thoughtful lens choice. We all can become image makers when we deviate from the norm and slow time.