Trying to follow through on inspiration

I’m heading out to Moab this weekend. After a week of warm sunny days, the forecast calls for snow and rain. Should be awesome. (If I say that often enough, I might start to believe it.)

I’m bringing with me some inspiration. First, some awesome info on controlling contrast.

 

• In Photofocus #31, Syl Arena answers question #7 and explains how to watch *both sides* of the histogram in the digital camera, to control not only your exposure but your contrast.
• Awesome landscape photographer Darwin Wiggett explains how to control contrast using filters, including effectively using a polarizer and using a solid ND filter.

 

 

• On the off chance that I get a clear night sky where I won’t freeze to death taking 1 photo, I’ll be trying some night astro-photography based on the advice of Ali Benn.

 

 

• Black and White – I’ll be trying some of Ali Benn’s advice and using the zone system. Inspiration also by Cole Thompson.

 

 

I’ve got 3 days of shooting, probably in less-than-ideal conditions. I may not have enough time to practice all of this advice and inspiration, but I intend to try.

What do you do when inspiration hits you?  Do you let it slip away because you’re too busy? Probably an all-too-common answer. Do you immediately rush out and try what you just heard or read? You’re lucky if you can. I make a note in my iPhone, in an email to myself, or in Evernote, because I usually can’t try every great tip at the time I hear/read it.

Whatever you do, don’t let inspiration pass you by. Carpe Diem!