Friday Photo Tip #16 Patience Is a Virtue!

Today's tip is another pretty obvious tip, but something to keep in mind when you're shooting just about everything... especially animals!  This week's inspiration comes from volunteering at the SF SPCA and photographing the cats...  The reason why they inspire me to write this week's tip is because each cat's personality is so different - some cats are very outgoing and talkative, others shy and reserved.  When I went into some of the cat rooms, some would run right over to me, some wouldn't leave me alone and others would go and hide. The most challenging cats to photograph are the cats who have the biggest personalities - they are like toddlers running around, and not sitting still!  This is when patience is the biggest virtue - these excited kitties are like little babies and you have to wait for them to settle down before you can start taking great pics. 🙂

#16 Patience Is a Virtue!

Everyone knows the old adage "patience is a virtue".  Well, it definitely holds true in the world of photography, because sometimes you just have to wait.  Patience, I believe, is definitely a skill that you need to practice.  For some people it comes naturally, and for others (including myself) patience is something that is learned and constantly being practiced.  I'm the kind of person who is more impulsive than patient - but I also know that I have a strong instinct that helps direct me as well.  I think that it's good to be impulsive in some situations because it's a quality that really pushes you into action - but sometimes the act of waiting will create a more powerful image.  I truly believe that patience is an art.... and if you wait, you will reap the rewards. Here are some of my favorite pics from the past few weeks.