The Secret to Capturing a Wonderful Photograph

Everywhere we look online, artists claim they know how to do something and what "Art" is. This drive to find the "secret" to art is especially true with photographers. Photographers flood social media to influence you into certain gear, methods, genres, and even styles. I really disagree with photographers making the statements, "How to photograph more like this photographer or that one." Seeking the best exposure, sharpest focus, and finest detail is not the holy grail of a great photo.

What am I getting at? If a great photo does not rely on the latest gear, best methods, and is not relative to the greatest photographers of the past, what is it? Your appreciation of what God placed before you at any given moment is the greatest asset to capturing a great photograph. Having "The eye" for beauty is grounded in gratitude for the Divine artist. You could argue that not all impactful photos are "beautiful," true. Conflict photos, environmental photos, and certain lifestyle photos depict things that do not represent beauty; instead, they tell a sad and painful story. These impactful, harsh images are photojournalism. Photojournalism also does not seek perfect focus or exposure; most of the time, it gets the shot, or, as Henri Cartier-Bresson would say, "the decisive moment." These are important stories and worth telling, but not my primary focus.

I am not a photo-journalist, focusing on societal issues, but a creation photographer who seeks to reflect noble, pure, and admirable qualities supported by God's Word, such as Philippians 4:8—(8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.) This focus can inspire trust and encouragement in your artistic journey rooted in faith.

God called me to focus on sharing His Glory through capturing as many glorious moments as He shares with me. As I say, my job is easy, God does all the work, all the creativity—I press a shutter button. God has blessed me with a rural farmland Dakota lifestyle. I live on a serene lake in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota. There is an abundance of beautiful settings where I live, both day and night. We do travel and love photographing the beauty of America. Still, my concentration is on photographing what I refer to as "The Land of Dakhota." (The Dakota (pronounced [daˈkˣota], Dakota: Dakȟóta or Dakhóta) are a Native American tribe and First Nations band government in North America.)

God created me here in Dakota. I was born here and decided it is where I am to end my life. Besides, I need to fund my passion and calling as a Creation Photographer, and selling prints, providing training, and offering photo safaris are best suited to a local market. I do need to fund this calling. I note that Paul the Apostle made tents to fund his ministry. Can photography be a ministry? Certainly it is, sharing the good news of God through Art is an easy and effective way to share Hope. Beautiful things inspire people to gratitude and influence them to think pure, noble, lovely thoughts.

In closing, what is the most important ingredient to capturing a beautiful image? God and His Glorious creativity. We need to pause, reflect on what God paints before us, and press the shutter.