Capturing the Decisive Moment | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Elya K. is, “How is it possible to take time to get your camera settings correct, but not miss the moment you’re trying to capture?”

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Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body

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CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

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Capturing the Decisive Moment | Ask David Bergman
00:00 Intro
00:13 Getting your photo questions answered on the show
01:28 Henri Cartier-Bresson and The Decisive Moment
02:59 Preparation
05:19 Anticipation

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[hendersonribeirobrandina]

I also think it's valuable to use an automated mode like AV (Aperture priority mode in Canon), or TV (shutter velocity priority). Because when the action is happening I only have to think about one setting or two (Adjusting the exposure compensation according to the scene and sometimes the aperture if I want more or less blur in the background). Using an automated mode helps a lot. You just have to think about one specific setting and let the camera choose the rest for you.

I think of what I'm going to photograph and decide which automated mode is more apropriate.

[MikeJamesMedia]

Absolutely true and good advice, David. Thank you for an always-pertinent reminder! ...I'm old. ("Back in my day, we didn't have no pixels, and get off my lawn!") but was taught at an early point in my life, "Find your scene, and wait for the subject", or simply, "Compose and wait." For me, "action" is usually wildlife and airshows, and either way, learning "the subject's behavior" is just as major. (i.e. learning the Blue Angels routine before going to the airshow... That way, I know where to expect the solo pilots' "surprise" maneuvers, etc.. With wildlife, I return to the same places often, and that helps me understand their behavior, as well as how I can expect them to react to the environment. When I concentrate on the things you said, I get better results. If I'm lazy or distracted, not so much. :)

[GARYA]

David, This is fantastic -- GREAT advice!! Thanks!

[jaffarbh]

Brilliant David. If I made add, a bit of trial-and-error would help a lot. This can be part of both the preparation and the anticipation.

[charleshacker]

It seems like a good practice to take photos sometimes, not for the sake of new pictures, but just to keep in practice, or test out features you don't use often on your camera. Little walks every couple days even if only in the back yard can keep one in practice.

[sherryzoltay]

Great simple question with, for once, an excellently stated simple answer that I can use to improve my photos—no techno babble. Thank you!

[frits]

When I know where the subject will occur in the frame, I switch to manual focus and pre-focus on that point to beat the slowness of autofocus.

[felixrodriguez]

When i go to airshow I made sure i have very thing bag for that and study the aircraft that going to perform that day. How the sun arch in that area and the route the aircraft are using to perform that day. What stunts they are going to perform so i can follow the action. Plus water and snacks for the day it a plus dress for thr weather and comfort. Great tips david

[ferminiturbide]

One of the things I’ve done, if at all possible, is to scout the area or place where I would be photographing. This helped me out a lot when chasing Eagle and blue grey herons. I would just drive by the lake every other day, randomly and random times, wanting to learn their habits. Most of the times I would stop for a brief moment and that’s when I would get my camera out and pretend the Eagle was posing for me while getting a fish out of the water 😂😂😂

Thinking of possible scenarios, realistic ones not just any “what if”, and photographing those “scenarios” helps a ton with learning your gear and confidence.

And lastly, the one that no one likes or likes to admit but the second you accept that there is more knowledge in failures than in YouTube, it will be the second you’ll start actually photographing, messing up then growing up as a photographer.

Go out, shoot, mess up, examine and learn.

[tanweercaa]

Squinting eye technique! Great hint, it really works amazing, thanks a million 🌷

[TommyNordpole]

Well done David!!! Decisive moment is real fun to hunt for :)

[discoveryself]

For beginners, aperture priority, continuous focus.

[sfink]

Great video David! Normally I shoot full Manual mode but do change to Shutter Priority for BIF shots. I threw that all out the window the other day while on vacation while touring Caverns in Pennsylvania. I had no idea what the lighting would be from moment to moment as the tour guide turned on the lights inside the cave. The colors were also unpredictable. Obviously composition was also unknown as to the best location/framing for each shot.

As a result I used the Program mode mostly for the tour. When possible I did try bracketing for exposure. Of course shooting Raw+JPG will help with the colors should the auto WB be way off.

[raydunn]

Hi David, , , what do you think about putting your camera in continuous mode, , , to get an anticipated shot, , , hoping that you get at least one out of the nine shots, , , Iv'e tried this method, , , but not much success, , , occasionally I might get a good one but mostly they out of focus, , ,

[ChaitanyaShukla]

When working with wild amphibians, anticipating when male is going to start calling is very important to get the proper photos.

[pattymattes]

Great advice! I forgot to mention last time that your haircut looks good :) I'll bet you are looking forward to concerts gearing up since restrictions are easing. So, I'm guessing you will be back on the road again soon. Thanks for all your tips and demos!!! I always learn something watching an Adorama video.

[tanweercaa]

David, it may sound strange but I need to understand HOW TO LEARN SEEING LIGHT?

[Sportserjeff]

Just what I used to do at motorcycle events. Now I don't shoot those anymore. I'm more shooting models .

[phynx]

Thank you David Freud 👍😎👍 When photographing wildlife I'm always trying to predict the animals movement, similar to trying to predict a women's thoughts, I'm seldom right 😂😂😂

[suhasnayak]

Good video sir . i had a question. Does iso effect the quality of photo print . I mean to say is that rising higher iso increase noise which will be visible in digital display while zooming in but wil it effect the photo print quality . Googled all day long but couldn't find any answer. Please do an video on this subject thank you .