| Too many photographers press the shutter | | | | second too early, or too late, can result in an |
| release immediately after framing the subject in | | | | ineffective picture rather than one with impact. |
| the viewfinder. They fail to wait for the moment | | | | And moments can never be recaptured. |
| of greatest interest or impact. Good timing takes | | | | The time of day is another important |
| patience and practice, but it is important to the | | | | consideration. The long shadows of early morning |
| success of any photograph. | | | | or late afternoon often make pictures much more |
| Study the subject to find out what it does or | | | | effective than if they were taken at noon with |
| might do. For instance, you spot an eagle sitting | | | | the sun over head. Decide when you think the |
| on the top of a nearby tree. A nice picture. Do | | | | lighting will be best and wait for that moment. |
| you shoot it and go away? Or do you wait until | | | | Also consider whether a night shot would be |
| the moment the eagle extends its wings and | | | | more effective than one taken during the day. |
| begins to lift off from its perch and shoot again. A | | | | Las Vegas, for example, makes a much more |
| dramatic picture. Anticipating a subject's actions is | | | | impressive picture at night with the glow of its |
| a necessary photographic habit. And one, which | | | | colorful casino lights. And too remember the |
| can be achieved with time and practice. | | | | beauty of sunrises and sunsets. These are |
| Children eating ice-cream cones sometimes drop | | | | beautiful to capture. |
| them or at least get the ice cream on their faces | | | | What time of day will your subjects be at their |
| or clothes, always a favorite picture to capture! | | | | best, or worst? If you want unhappy children, |
| People in discussion gesturing with their hands, | | | | take photographs when they are tired or hungry. |
| talking and laughing. Fishermen usually show | | | | For pictures of active kids, wait until after their |
| excitement when they catch something. Waves | | | | meals or naps. And be sure you're ready when |
| splash higher on rocks with incoming tides. | | | | your subjects are. Your camera and equipment |
| Consider what will be the right moment to shoot | | | | should be set up and ready to fire the moment |
| and wait for it. For what will be achieved for a | | | | your subject makes the move or expression you |
| life-time it is worth the wait. | | | | want. Good pictures often result only because of |
| A golfer blasting out of a sand trap is more | | | | the photographer's good timing. |
| exciting than one teeing off (especially if he is | | | | These photographs are memories that come and |
| getting frustrated!) A person blowing out birthday | | | | go in a flash. But thanks to new techniques our |
| candles is more interesting than one just holding | | | | precious memories can be caught and kept for all |
| the cake. A horse galloping is much more dramatic | | | | time. So it is well worth the time to take the |
| than one grazing. Study your subjects and figure | | | | time. Be patient and wait for that perfect shot. |
| out the best time to photograph them. Shooting a | | | | |