POLL - organised photographers

[Damien_Demolder]

I've noticed that the more successful entrants in our APOY (Amateur Photographer of the Year) competition are those most organised. They plan their monthly entries well ahead of time and go out specifically to shoot images that fit the brief. We hear about landscapers, too, who plan their locations with a sun compass returning when they know the sun will be in the 'right' place. It's a level of organisation that has evaded me so far, but I've realised that to make real progress we need to think ahead and apply methodology to the process of planning a picture as much as we need to understand how a camera works.

It's not to late for a New Years resolution.

[Roger_Provins]

I'm afraid I'd be the third option. Photography is just a hobby for me and putting the amount of effort and time in some of the winners do would simply bring to much pressure - might as well go back to work (I'm retired).

[Ephemeral]

I'm the third option though I always mean to plan projects - I never have the time

[OneTen]

I've alays been in the third category, however now I'm becoming increasingly interested in wildlife photography, I'm having to plan ahead. Preparing perches for birds, establishing regular feeding points and observing the behaviour prior to any photography.

[daft_biker]

Does planning location and time of year to get the 'right' beastie count? Am not really organised with photo locations as I tend to just plonk myself down in the woods if I feel like a rest from cycling....but I do tend to point the bike at somewhere that I've shots planned for...I just don't always make it there

Mostly it's the unexpected shots I like most though. Getting a shot of something I've seen before is a fun challenge but seeing something new is usually even more rewarding for me.

I'm as organised as I want to get

[beejaybee]

Mostly it's the unexpected shots I like most though.

I'm as organised as I want to get

Sounds about right to me.

A certain degree of organization is necessary to get some types of shot, but too much and it becomes a chore rather than a pleasure. As for competitions, meh. If I have something suitable, maybe I'll enter; but I won't go out of my way to take an out-of-character shot for the sake of entering.

[bob58]

third on for me,
more often than not the camera is with me if i see something i like take piccy

[Fire_Monkey]

3rd for me, but I'd love to be organised enough to take a photo...One day!..One day....

[Fire_Monkey]

Oops!...I think that should read "organised enough to plan taking a photo!"

[APchris]

Third option for me too up till now unfortunately Thought there's something to be said for spontaneity, I'dlike to be in the first category

[mediaman]

3rd for me.
[Some people say "Lazy Sod", when it comes to me making plans, to go outside and take pics ]

[Tickhiller]

I don't understand people who plan down to the last detail, and expect to complete their task.
Last week I 'planned' to take some night shots of stars at the back of my house. We had clouds and snow flurries. I had a horrible chesty cold which has left me flat out.
End result - no night shots.
There are too many variables, just go with the flow, keep your camera handy and battery charged.

[beejaybee]

Last week I 'planned' to take some night shots of stars at the back of my house.

Planning to observe or image any particular astronomical event is a way of guaranteeing that the clouds will roll in. Take the opportunites that do arise. And [jewish momma mode]wrap up warm[/jewish momma mode].

[Hotblack]

Definitely the third option for me. I don't really plan anything other than occasionally I plan to be at a location at a certain time of year and see what happens (as in 'I've got week planned in 'X' and I'll get up a bit earlier than usual' type of thing).

[Benchista]

For the most part, I much prefer to photograph what I find and observe, but there are some subjects I set up - the odd still-life, and the occasional portrait. Otherwise, I might go to a certain place at a certain time, but that's about the limit of it.

[El_Sid]

I fall totally into the third category I'm afraid. I might think "I'll go to such-and-such-a-place tomorrow and takes pics" but that's usually about as far as I get in terms of organisation and planning...

Not sure why it should be but on the very rare occasions I deliberately try to make/take specific shots I find the end results are all too often very laboured and medicocre...