A photographer could wait for the moment to happen, or be quick enough to capture it before it slips away, never to be seen again. It’s what photographer do, really. While there is equipment that can counter this – like setting up lighting or staging an event – time is still there. However much the photographer tries to control the situation, every moment is different – even if it’s slightly.
Recently, I have inherited a number of old film cameras. The latest was a film SLR – whose light meter I managed to get working again. I was getting used to using it by talking some street photography in Central London.
I managed to just capture moments before they quickly disappeared and the photo changed. Street photography isn’t always the easiest thing to time, but if done well – or if you’re lucky enough to capture the moment – it results are incredible.
I get a buzz when I manage to capture a moment before it’s gone – and have a certain frustration if I don’t manage to get it. But that’s the fun. It’s a bit like cat and mouse. You capture some, and you also lose some.