Creativity Tips: Just Shoot It

When my daughter Kate was playing basketball, she taught me the famous You miss every shot you don't take philosophy. Turns out, it works with photography too. (And I hope this photo looks as cool online as it does on my screen. The bird is pretty small.)

I'd like to say I was planning this shot at Niagara Falls last week, saw the bird, yada yada yada. Truth is, I was simply shooting -- snap after digital snap. Most of the time, my focus was on the Maid of the Mist boat. Did I see the bird at all? I don't remember. And it doesn't matter*. Because I was shooting, I got it.

The basketball wisdom works for creative endeavors. So does the Boy Scout approach: Be prepared. Have your creative tools ready. And just shoot it.

*Tomorrow's post. Stay tuned.