Sometimes getting the perfect shot can be a little frustrating and take quite a bit of patience. Most (if not all, I’m not sure) digital cameras have a significant delay between the moment you press the shutter button until the point at which the camera responds to the command. As a result, I have a library of photos taken just after the expression, or the smile fades, or the bird flies away, or in the case of these photos, just after the wave crashes.
Photographing a wave crashing means you need to pay attention to the timing of the waves. Spend some time just watching them crash over and over. What sounds does the ocean make at each point in the wave’s lifecycle?
Then take lots of pictures trying to hit just before that perfect moment to accommodate the delay in the shutter response.
And don’t be afraid to get your feet wet.
Then the blanket your husband is wearing as a cape because he forgot to bring a coat shows up in the picture.
And the cape is still in the picture when you finally get a shot of the wave crashing.
So you reposition to get an angle that does not include an ancient airplane blanket and try to pick up the rhythm of the ocean again.
every once in a while you get a cool shot, but it may not be exactly the shot you’re trying for.
so you keep trying
Well, I got a little splash there.
Oh, that’s a little better.
And finally, I got the shot I was waiting for.


































Awesome! That was really interesting!
You are good! It was worth all the patience…lesson learned!
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This kind of reminds me of how I write.
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I sometimes look at your photos and think “I could do that… if I had a digital to carry with me everyday” But the reality is that I could do that if I put the time and effort into it that you do. I take OK photos (when the subject is in range) but I don’t see the possibilities in everyday life like you do.
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Me, I’d have given up after the third try. Or the blanket, one of the two.
Fair warning: kids are the same way. I can’t tell you how many “missed smiles” and “fell from a walk” pics we have. Very discouraging that there’s such a gap between pushing the button and snapping the pic.
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That is very cool! I know what you mean about patience. Sometimes it is really just a lucky shot – I have a few of those, but the gift is in the patience.
Those are some amazing photos!
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Wow! You are really patient! hehe, also found it funny with what you wrote about the blanket. You have really high EQ. :p
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haha! worth the wait right?! Beautiful picture!! Love your blog! Happy SITS day!
Jenn aka Future Mama’s last blog post..The Dream Was a Premonition
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hahaha. I love the airplane blanket pix! so real.
Mercedes Hayes’s last blog post..Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…
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You have more patience than I do! It payed off though, great pictures.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Celebrate with Soap Giveaway
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These pictures are amazing! Congrats on your sits day!
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How like life – we end up capturing the odd moments and imperfections. But somehow they’re just as meaningful. Love your journey to the perfect photograph
xo
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Great photos and you finally got your shot. Stopping by from SITS. Enjoy your feature day!
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Beautiful shot – well worth the wait and patience! I don’t know if I would have had the patience to wait like you. Well done!
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Happy SITS day! Thank goodness for digital cameras. It was always a crap shoot with film.
Pam’s last blog post..The Color Purple
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Patience is a virtue! Well done, Beautiful shot!
You became one with the wave!:)
Cindy’s last blog post..Staring contest
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That last picture was well worth the wait!
Creative Junkie’s last blog post..Changing my header is like spraying my blog with Febreze
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very cool shots~!
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Well done!
Happy SITS day!
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Nice job! Definitely worth the wait!!!
Teri’s last blog post..winey weekend
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I know the feeling were explorign the same issues…minus the blanket and add the dog…lol
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Great shot! I have a similar post today but trying to take a good picture of 20 month old twins – maybe even more difficult because there is no timing at all. Enjoy your SITS day.
cat’s last blog post..Trusting your instincts…and Two for Tuesday
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Wow. Nice picture. Good job with the patience.
Reluctant Housewife’s last blog post..Another Year Older and Wiser and Older
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That is a great shot! I know what you mean about shots of missed smiles. I’m just glad we have a digital camera, so I can keep trying!
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I still haven’t got used to the delay of the digital camera. My daughter is always wanting me to catch her mid-air (as she jumps off the couch), but I always miss it & she’s the one who gets frustrated.
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Very nice! That last one was worth waiting for! =)
Jori’s last blog post..MM: Questionable Lyrics and a WINNER!
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I know what you mean! Happy SITS day!
Tonya’s last blog post..Mosaic Monday ♥ June 1, 2009
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It’s good to know that I’m not the only person who has difficulty capturing the moment. I’m glad you finally got your crashing wave picture – it’s really neat!
Christine’s last blog post..Wilton II Class 4: Grand Finale Cake
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This is so true…and you do have some good shots there–even if some of them weren’t quite what you were looking for!
Kristen’s last blog post..I must be butter…because I’m on a roll!! (6/1/09)
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BEAUTIFUL!
Michelle’s last blog post..Crazy Eights
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Their all great pictures but the last one is the best!! Good things come to those who wait! Happy SITS day!!
Reeni’s last blog post..Sweet Corn, Shrimp & Basil Soup
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It’s good to see that I’m not the only one that gets the shot seconds after the “moment” is over. It’s so frustrating!
I love the last picture…definitely worth the wait.
brandy’s last blog post..Enemy Number One
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The great thing about patience is that it forces you to enjoy the journey as well as the destination, eh.
Ri’s last blog post..The Conversationalist
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Patience is a virtue isn’t it. Great shots!
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Patience was never something that I was blessed with, great shot!
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I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who has to take 20 photos just to get one good shot!
Kara’s last blog post..Lemon Grilled Chicken
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I bet there’s a life lesson in there too somewhere, lol. I myself am working on the concept of patience.
Great shot!!!
NYC Mama’s last blog post..Creating My Life
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Very well done, and great play by play!
Anita’s last blog post..I’ve been crowned!!
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That pic was definitely worth the wait!
Betty’s last blog post..I’m a spy.
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I can almost smell the ocean….mmmmmmmm
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Thank heavens for digital camera’s, right? Back in the day, it could have taken a whole roll of film to get that shot! (What did it cost to develop those rolls?) Lovely shot!
Mindy
Adopt a ‘Do – Cute Girls Hairstyles
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Love that last shot
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Oh, the frusteration of getting the perfect shot! When I went whale-watching, I took advantage of the feature on my camera that continuously takes pictures for as long as the button is held down. That way, I DO get the exact moment I want (and several others!).
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wow, great shot! I actually thought they were all great, but I am terrible with a camera!! congrats on being queen SITSa today!
Kristin’s last blog post..Water Woes
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Nice series of photos – and commentary. I get so frustrated with my digital camera. Keep trying to get pictures at the pool and usually by the time the shutter closes the boys have already jumped in and are beneath the water…
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What cool pictures! mmmm I love the ocean!
Mrs. S’s last blog post..bath time in the sink
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I have had those moments! Never give up, even if it takes forever LOL!
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i love taking pictures but the kids don’t stay still to get the pose!!
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Great shot! Totally worth the wait!
Rita’s last blog post..Perfection is my enemy
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I can relate to the photo-delay issue, I have to take photos for my shop, one of the last being with a “dog model”, talk about an uncooperative subject! LOL
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I like your posts! Short, and sweet and very cool! Love the pictures
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