Make Your Own Luck

WOW! Lucky Shot!…. But was it really?

I have been around for a longer time that most people realize, and if there is one thing I have learned over the years is that you make your own luck.

I see this time and time again with people new to photography. Let’s for example, say that you want to go and photograph our local world renowned landmark, Niagara Falls. So, you sleep in, get up and have breakfast, read the paper and have a coffee then head out around 11 AM. After you fight the crowds at the brink and shoot in the midday light, you see you results and aren’t very happy.

So you start poking around and find out the most picturesque Falls shots are in winter. You also find out that the sun rises behind the Falls from mid December to mid February, certainly not at 11 AM. You also find out that a water to air temperature difference of about 11 degrees C will give you steam coming off the water, an added bonus. You also realize that an east wind will cover you in frozen mist…. not a fun outing.

Now you take all these factors into account and show up mid January at the brink and have the place almost to yourself, except for a handful of other intrepid photographers. Unknowingly, you created an environment for luck to happen.

All you have to do is listen to the weather reports and pick your morning.

I used to think a great photograph was at least 60% or more luck, but as I grow wiser, I come to believe it’s 10% luck and 90% hard work and research. So, this upcoming year of photography, put the work in to make the luck happen. You most likely rewarded for your efforts.

I have included 2 images, the first one, things didn’t go well. A shot from the shore of Lake Ontario. All the reports said Northern Lights should be great in Southern ON. The sky was OK and the clouds were fairly sparse. Everything was working in my favour except this is the extent of the lights. A small purple area in the upper right hand corner. Barely visible, even with a camera. The 2nd image, things went much better. Very cold for steam off the water, west wind and a few clouds in the sky for interest. This is predawn just before the sun breaks the horizon. The forecast was right and the results were worth the effort.

*All images courtesy of Scott Simons