Avoiding distractions is just one step away

Avoiding distractions like tourists at busy sites like the Louvre, might mean looking from a different perspective, and focusing on the details rather than the whole thing

Sometimes when I am in a particularly inspiring place, like Venice, Italy for example, I get SO excited that I start snapping away. And then suddenly I think "uh I don't even know what my camera settings are"… Yep it still happens. 

Meditation is something that has really helped me be more conscious and more in the moment. I meditate every morning for 10 minutes. It doesn't sound like much, but it really carries over into the rest of my day…my life.

BUT there are still occasions that I get SO excited, that I slip out of the conscious and into the "OMG this is so amazing and I want to photograph every single detail!!" And then I have to take a breath and think about what my intention is. What photos I'm trying to create.

One of these areas of consciousness that took me a little time to master, was the area just inside the frame. I would see the subject, maybe some leading lines, and even the beautiful light. But then I would look at my photo later and there would be a distraction. A tree branch, garbage can, bright neon pink coat on a tourist walking through (why oh why does ANYBODY have to wear bright neon colors when traveling? REALLY distracting…)

So what I have learned to do, is AS I am framing my photo, while looking through the viewfinder, do a little sweep of the frame. All around the perimeter, to see if there are any distractions that can easily avoided. What I mean by easily avoided is stepping a foot to the right, or left. Yeah, it's that easy sometimes. Or am I cutting a person off at a weird place - like beheading them? If I can step a bit to one side or squat down a little to either get the entire person, or omit the entire person, it can really make or break a photo.

Here the eye is drawn to the bright area in the front left RATHER than the subject

Now that the bright distraction is gone, Gaia is the clear focus. And she should be

I can't count how many times I take that initial look and think "I have done it, this is spectacular!" Only to then see an ugly distraction, that can't be edited out. One I can think of is a dog pooping. Yeah that really happened. Sure that could be a cute "street scene" story, but it's not really what I was going for.

When we are so focused on our subject matter, sometimes we forget what else is around. The scan of the whole environment, can give you some really good clues on positioning yourself for the photo. Avoid the obnoxious tourist, but include the charming local playing the accordion. Avoid the garbage can, but include the sweet cat sunning herself.

OK, OK, I know what you're thinking now. I don't have time for all of that! I'm traveling with…my husband, a tour group, my family, a bossy friend. Well here's yet ANOTHER time I'm going to use this word that you are probably starting to hate right now…practice.

Now that I've done this consistently, it takes me seconds to scan the frame of my photo, take a quick step to the side and move on. I absolutely am used to traveling with other people and don't want to impose my "wait while I compose the perfect shot, and throw our whole schedule into a tizzy." Oh no. I'm very considerate of the plan, the schedule, and other people's time.

This is something you can start practicing just out of awareness. There are SO many things to think about when we create photos that it's hard to process them all. So this is just one more freaking thing to think about. I know. BUT just by being AWARE, will make a difference. I promise.

My recommendation is to pick ONE thing to practice at a time. Make a list. That is certainly how I learn best - one thing at a time. So get your practice list and start with one. Add THIS topic to your list. So one day during your practice session, forget all about aperture, and lighting, and all those other things we've talked about. Put your camera setting on automatic, and just think about the frame - what's in it that you WANT, and what's in it that you DON'T.

It's that easy. One thing at a time. Once you practice these one at a time, then they will start to become more automatic. So suddenly you will be practicing aperture and will notice that you are scanning the frame at the same time. And you will be so proud of yourself! 

And when that happens?? Give me a shout out and tell me all about. Because I will be so proud of you too! It's a process, my friend. And if you're anything like me, you want it now. 

Albi with a distracting building on the right. As the sun hits that building, the eye goes right there and gets distracted

Now the distraction is gone, and the light hits the cathedral making it the central focus of the photo

I had a friend who called herself "get in shape in a day girl". When getting back in shape after a few months of laziness, she would go to the gym ready to "get in shape in a day". And then, of course, after her rigorous workout, she would be so sore she could hardly move. Which meant no more gym until she was able to comfortably rise from a chair again.

And I have totally adopted that phrase for myself. I extrapolate it for pretty much everything I want to learn, accomplish…I want it all in a day. Not a week, not a year. One. Day. So I get it.

But then there's reality. One step at a time. Baby steps. Patience. All of that crap. But unfortunately, that crap wins. Hands down. After writing this last bit, I'm thinking that maybe I need to bump up my mediation to 15 minutes every morning.

So here's my recommendation for this particular practice item. When you see the photo you want to create, go ahead and make it. Then step to one side, make another photo. Step to the opposite side and make another. Are you following me? So the same subject, same scene but from different perspectives, angles. Even squat down or get down on your knees for one. As you are doing this, looking through your viewfinder, observe the ENTIRE field. Just observe, and make the photo.

 Then when you download the photos, really look at the details. Concentrate on the outer edge of the frame. And see what a difference the change in perspective made. Are there distractions there that you would like to NOT be there? Would a change in your position have helped?

This might sound like quite a task. But it really only has to take a few minutes. You can do this in your backyard or in your living room. Your sleeping dog? Perfect subject. Now look at the lamp, the pile of mail (yeah I have one too), the shoes on the floor as distractions to the portrait of your perfect sleeping angel (they really are so precious when they are sleeping, aren't they??). And try to make your photo WITHOUT the distractions. No I didn't say to move THEM - you can't always do that when you travel. Try by moving YOU.

Let's summarize. You will improve with practice. You can't learn it all in one day. Start with ONE THING AT A TIME. Today we're going to work on eliminating distractions in the frame. OK then, there we have it.

Don't forget, when you are proud of yourself for something you've learned, no matter how small, LET ME KNOW! Because I'm going to be proud of you too, and want to see the results.

You should know by now, I LOVE people's stories, and I LOVE photos. So don't deny me my bliss.