My uncle and grandfather have been into photography for as long as I’ve know them. In fact, my grandfather was friends with famous photographer Robert Capa and others. So I guess it was inevitable that I also gain interest into photography, although it later in life than when they did. So I’ve been studying and reading about the art of photography and all the lingo associated with it. What I discovered was fascinating. The art of photography in not learning how to take good pictures, the art is in noticing what is around you and balancing the light it reflects.

At its most basic, taking pictures is a simple process. Even with fancy cameras, the ability to take a decent picture only requires a few basic motions that almost anyone can do. To prove this theory, drop by any Wal-Mart or Target that has a portrait studio in it and look at the people taking the pictures. As a rule they place you in predetermined poses and take the pictures with preset equipment. (As an aside, I’m not disparaging these studios. The amount and quality of pictures you get for such a nominal fee is impressive. Just the ticket when you have two small kids).

So what separates a picture that makes you stop and look at it a second time with one that you flip through quickly in a stack of travel snapshots? First is the subject matter and the second is the presentation and these two concepts I feel can have a much greater impact on your life than just taking better pictures. They can help you to see more of the world around you.

In my opinion, the crux of getting a great shot is being aware of what is around you and seeing how it interacts with the rest of the world. If you spend your picture taking time, walking along thinking about what is going on back at the office or worrying about finances, changes are you will miss the photographic opportunities available to you. You need to focus on the right now to get a good picture not what just happened or what might happen. Similarly, to truly enjoy what life is giving you, you need to focus on what is happening right now. Yesterday has already happened and you can’t change it. Tomorrow will come regardless of what you do. Right now will only last a moment so take the time to look around at it. You might grab that shot that literally only comes once in a lifetime.