The Shots that Never Were

Great photo opportunities are all around us. I’m not referring to potential “publishable” photos, but rather the opportunity to practice your art. All of us have a preferred type of photography (or more likely more than one), but that doesn’t mean we can’t work on other types, shot selections, compositions, or even post-processing techniques (i.e., Lightroom). I experienced this first hand while spending a few weeks in San Antonio, Texas, where I had the opportunity to practice some shots at night, in golden hour and more!

Kaylor & Natalie (Samsung Note20)

It started when my wife traveled to Denver for a couple weeks. We had spent some time downtown at the Alamo and on the Riverwalk with Kaylor and Natalie and also taken a bike ride along the river outside of our RV park. What I quickly realized was that San Antonio is an INCREDIBLE place to practice photography.

One evening I walked the downtown area to tryout some night photography. I’ll be honest. This, along with extended exposures in general, was not something that I had practiced in my youth. I wasn’t sure what I would find or experience. However, with camera in hand, I walked along the crowded Riverwalk, strolled up to the street level, and snapped pics of just about anything that looked interesting. I learned so much during those few unstructured hours that I actually took the time to jot down some notes back at the RV, just so I wouldn’t forget next time. I wasn’t 100% pleased with every photo, but I feel like I did get a couple keepers. I was particularly proud of my first attempt at an extended exposure to track a riverboat tour!

San Antonio Riverwalk (Canon 6D Mark II)

Extended Exposure (Canon 6D Mark II)

I went back again the next night, this time with a few specific ideas in mind. First, I wanted to capture the Tower of the Americas. Second, I wanted to test some additional extended exposures, this time on a fixed tripod rather than a simple Joby Gorillapod. I was very pleased with these and a few others, which you can find in my Photo Journal.

Canon EOS R6 w/ Canon RF 24-105mm

The point is this: Take the Photos! I wasn’t sure what I would find, but that’s ok. A great photographer is one who can see the potential and turn the ordinary into extraordinary. I’m not there yet, but I strive to be. Look around, not just at the obvious, but at the components of a potential shot. Look for the isolated subject, an interesting texture, or a change in lighting. Can’t find a cool landscape? Look for the close-up macro shot!

One lesson I found particularly interesting is the value of a simple change in perspective. As I walked along the path and under a bridge, I glanced backward and noticed some golden hour sunlight behind a row of empty benches. I quickly snapped a few pics in between folks walking and riding by. I also played around with a B&W version of the shot later that night. Of all the pics I took that evening, this shot turned out to be a favorite of those who reviewed them.

San Antonio River (Canon EOS R6) - Color

San Antonio River (Canon EOS R6) - Black & White

Looking back at the past few weeks, my only regret is with the shots that never were. In addition to the trips above, I had hoped to get back to the river for some wildlife photos, as well as to a few missions situated along the San Antonio River. I didn’t even get photos at the Alamo!

So I hope you can learn from my personal experience and take advantage of the places you visit, even when you don’t feel that initial sense of inspiration. In addition to developing your skills, you never know what may unexpectedly find its way into your portfolio. For me, I just feel fortunate that we travel in an RV, because I can be confident that there WILL be a next time in San Antonio!