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If you have never heard of photographer Sam Abell, he is a former National Geographic photographer who has captured some of the most iconic images of the 20th century — including a photograph of a cowboy branding and castrating a calf that NatGeo named one of the 50 Greatest Photographs.
His father, an amateur photographer, gave Sam powerful advice when he was young: “Sammy, compose and wait.”
“One of the things that I most believe in is the “compose and wait” philosophy of photography. It’s a very satisfying, almost spiritual way to photograph. Life isn’t’ knocking you around, life isn’t controlling you. You have picked your place, you’ve picked your scene, you’ve picked your light, you’ve done all the decision making and you are waiting for the moment to come to you….” – Sam Abell
This video, sponsored by B&H Photo and Video, goes into great detail on the experience Abell has while shooting his photos. His enlightened and literary way of speaking clues us into the mind of a master photographer, and how he sees the world.
Abell teaches photography at workshops and continues to make incredible photographs. To Abell, making a photograph is more than just taking a picture, instead, it’s an involved process that only renders good results when he places himself in the right position, with the right composition, while waiting for his decisive moment to unfold.
Sam is a talented writer and photographer, and if you have the time for this two-hour video, his speech will leave you truly inspired.
Grace says
As I’m getting more into photography to capture moments of my life, I have to wonder how well this would work. It seems like great things happen spontaneously where I’m not pointing a camera more often than not.
Adam says
Well, it’s not a necessity, but it certainly is the way I suggest. It’s a meditative form that opens your eyes to the rest of the world while quieting down your brain so that you’re more aware of your surroundings. Of course, I make quick snapshots when the moment arises, but more often than not my composed photographs for which I wait for seem to have more meaning and turn out better. Thanks for commenting.