Try the French Food Method with Photography

Though our workshop in Paris has come to a close and I’m back home, I am still struck by the connection I noticed between the way the French slowly savor their meals (and come away truly satisfied) and the way — when you take that same approach to photography — the results can be similarly rewarding.
The French savor each bite… food is not just a meal to quickly ingest. It’s an event — a slow event at that — to nourish your entire being. In Paris a three-hour lunch or dinner is not uncommon; in fact it is fairly average. When it comes to food, the French slow down and take it all in; they savor the activity of eating, the ceremony, and the ambiance.
Take that same approach to photography, and you’ll find yourself similarly satisfied.
Slow down, take your time and savor the moments you spend with your camera. Wait and watch for that perfect shot.
When you approach photography like this, not only will you find you become more observant and begin to notice things you may have otherwise missed, but you will also be able to thoroughly think through your shots.
You will become more technically proficient by practicing some of the techniques you have learned along the way.
So, the next time you’re out and you see something you want to photograph, stop and think…
* Rule of Thirds — How can I position myself so that the subject I’m photographing obeys the Rule of Thirds?
* Framing — Can I make my photograph more distinct by finding something (a tree branch, buildings, bushes, etc.) to frame the subject I’m trying to capture?
* A unique perspective — Can I stand on a bench or lie on the ground and get a unique view of this subject? (see: http://tinyurl.com/35utal)
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