Often, photographers ‘wait’ for photos to happen. This could be waiting for the right moment in a sports game, cars to pass or people to move. Other times, photos just happen – unfolding in front of you – and, if you’re lucky, you’ll be ready with your camera.
I was walking along the Thames last week over one lunch hour, and saw a shot of Tower Bridge I wanted to get. It included the walkway street sign with the bridge spanning over top. I liked the angles. After taking one shot, I wanted to get a closer shot and got into position.
As I was taking the photo, a red double decker bus drove along the bridge. This wasn’t planned for, or expected. However, I think the bus made the picture.
If I took the photo a fleeting moment before or after the bus would have meant a very different picture. Without it, the photo isn’t as interesting. The bus gives a splash of red, which is pleasing for the eye, and also gives colour to an otherwise muted photo.