As we move in to 2016, camera technology is getting better and better, and with the ever advancing technology the images that are being captured are better in terms of quality. That being said, no matter how sharp or good the cameras are they are still a tool. The tool doesn't make the picture anymore then the saw makes the chair. No one has ever said, "Boy I'm glad I have these pots and pans they make me such a good cook." The pots and pans are a tool, you are the cook.
Certainly, the advancement of technology is to our advantage. We can shoot handheld at much slower shutter speeds than ever before thanks to image stabilization systems. We can shoot in the darkest of places thanks to the low light capabilities of today's digital sensors. But, we have to control that. And even more importantly we have to point the camera at something interesting, compose, frame and then capture it as we want you to see it, or we want to present it.
A few weeks ago, I was in Atlantic City to shoot some long exposure sunrise images. When I'm out shootings I may have a plan, and a goal, but I'm always open to whatever may come along. I keep my head on a swivel and look for what else might be going on. This is one of those images below
I was setting up to shoot some long exposure of the waves crashing onto rocks when I turned and saw the paddler boarder backlit by the sun. The water was sparkling and the sky was full of orange light. I had to shoot it. I was set for long exposure so I quick took my filters off, spun my camera around, adjusted my exposure, focused, and snapped. That took me three seconds, one second later and he was gone. These are the fleeting moments we live to capture.
Here's another
These are the forested glass doors at the entrance to the Borgata. I saw them and thought it would make a great portrait backdrop so I was looking for someone to shoot when the door opened and the sun backlit the person walking in casting their shadow on the door and wall. Amazing! The shadow, the contrast, love it all. Why is it blue? I changed the white balance to make it blue.
The camera is the tool, but you I have to control it and make it do what you want to capture the moments. Jay Maisel, famed street photography, says, "Always wait for the trigger." The trigger could be the light, the color, or the action of anything around you. The camera is your tool. You are the artist.