Often we will painstakingly research a location or topic for an image, we will study weather patterns and other aspects such as sunrise, sunset or other lighting effects. We'll consult 'how to' guides, to ensure we haven't missed anything in preparation for the shot. Not to mention getting to the location or making arrangements to be where you need to be to ensure the image will be made. Then having the competence, skills and knowledge to make the shot and (of course) the equipment required to do so (solar filters, ND filters, ND grads, polarizer, correct lens or lenses, remote release, tripod etc).

We'll plan for years, months, weeks or days to be where we need to be with all of the above in place, then we will wait on location often for days and almost always for hours to make the perfectly planned, perfectly timed, well composed and well exposed image, only to be told by people viewing the image "Oh you're so lucky". 

I confess, at times it drives me crazy. There are often elements of fortune involved in photography, but to be able to capitalize on those elements there has always been preparation of some sort. With this in mind I am adding a new feature to my 'Tips & More' section today for 'lucky photography'.  These are images that have earned the title by virtue of the comments received when the image is made public.

Just how much 'luck' was involved I'll leave to you to decide, I'll just post the images and the stories behind them beginning with the image below of an owl at sunset. You will find the story in the 'Lucky Photography' section along with a couple more to start the topic. I will add to it as and when  those misguided comments drive me to frustration, at least now I'll have a place to vent. 

I have completed my tutorial series on basic composition this week, with the final three sections covering Light & Shadow, Negative Space and Separation. I had thought from the beginning that about 20 topics would cover the basic requirements. As I have worked through them I found a couple that could be combined resulting in 18 sections, making a little less work for me and I feel that as a basic tutorial, it is complete. 

Composition is something that is very difficult to master but we can all strive to improve, after all you never become a 'finished' photographer. What I mean by that is that we never stop learning, we are like golfers, always striving for more, always reaching that bit further and occasionally making that hole in one, perhaps that is one of the greatest joys of photography.   

At some point I might post a breakdown of some of my images pointing out the techniques used in each. If you follow the full series you will see the same images cropping up again and again, that's because they each utilise more than one aspect of composition (as you would expect) I did try to mix it up a bit with different images but ultimately every shot you post online is a shot stolen by some neerdowell and claimed as their own work.

You can find the whole composition series by clicking here or by finding it on the 'Tips & More' section of the site using the link provided or at anytime using the tabs above.