You take out the camera and take aim at the subject. You decide to frame the subject in the upper right corner, obeying the rule of thirds. After deciding on the composition of the photo, you click the shutter release button. "Click!"
We take a variety of subjects, sometimes they are so abstract that we cannot really tell what it is. From street to wildlife, studio portraits to architectural shoots, we will encounter different situations that requires our master control over the camera. Yes, digital cameras these days are pretty much automated, and we do pay quite a lot to get these functions to work as fast and accurately as they can. Just look at our dependency on fast auto focusing, especially sports and wildlife photographers, they require the auto focus driver to work fast and accurate to get that footballer kicking the winning goal or that eagle swooping down towards its prey.
While our cameras are more then capable in getting the images that we want them to get, that does not mean that they will produce that colour, or that effect that you might what to achieve. The key is to learn how the photograph is captured, and by understanding how the photo is captured, we can then take control over the camera and make it do what we want, and not what it thinks we want.
When preparing for the shot you are going to take, think of the technique that you are using to take the picture. It would influence your choice of ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Then, what are you going to take the photo with? The equipment that you are going to use will affect the image too. Longer telephoto lens will give you the necessary reach to your subject, while a wide angle lens can fit more things into the view. Last but not least, and some argue is the most important component. Creativity. The composition, the lines, textures, patterns. The different perspectives, the way it tells its own story. It very much depends on your "photographer's eye" to make it an art piece or just another "tourist photograph".
As said by Herni Cartier-Bresson,"Photography can fix eternity in a moment," when referring to the photograph "Three Boys at Lake Tanganyika" taken by Martin Munkácsi. Indeed, photography gives us the power to capture the moment, which fleets away ever so quickly.
