Bob Crum

The previous column prompted a few to write: How do you train a honey bee? Arrrgh. Why do readers insist that I divulge training secrets? It took me years to develop the training techniques. Nevertheless, I did respond with this important tip: A dollop of honey gets sweet results.

Another question from Ralph H.: How do you come up with the variety for photos of the week? Ralph, from street photography to landscapes, an abundance of photo ops exist in and around Fillmore. So many I get giddy! For example, returning from Ventura recently, on Old Telegraph Road, as I approached Sespe Creek a photo op virtually jumped into my camera beside me--a prime opportunity to tell a story with a photo. I stopped, programmed my camera and made the photo. Remember my previous discussion about developing a photographer's eye? See subject – think photo!

Horses at the nearby Equestrian Center make interesting subjects. Visit the Ventura Harbor and you'll find a gazillion photo ops from ships to harbor seals to California gulls and mermaids. Gulls are so much fun to photograph. For a challenge, try capturing gulls in flight. Good practice for airshow photography. Pelicans are another favorite. I have never visited Ventura Harbor and been disappointed. Cross the street and more photo ops await you at the beach. Remember a previous photo of the week of an angler at sunset with waves crashing on the breakwater?

Drive a few minutes south to the Channel Islands Harbor for another gazillion photo ops. Or instead head north a little and visit either Hobson or Faria county parks for both seascapes and wildlife. Faria county RV park is an excellent place to capture sunset photos, particularly at low tide. The shore-lined rocks make an interesting foreground. I made some interesting images there this past Sunday when low tide was at 4:13 pm. Perfect timing. Remember, to capture a blue-ribbon photo you have to show up!

Perhaps the bigger issue is not so much about what to photograph but getting out of the recliner to go out and shoot. Recall Issac Newton's Laws of Motion: "A body at rest will remain at rest (especially in a recliner), and a body in motion will remain in motion unless it is acted upon by an external force." This generally means that things cannot start, stop, or change direction all by themselves. It takes some force, inertia, acting on them. BTW, super_inertia.com sells six-packs of inertia for $8.98. Good stuff!

Perhaps it's not so much about what to shoot, but a lack of requisite inspiration. Oh, this thought hurts. I hoped that after 106 Photos of the Week, I sufficiently motivated you to jump out of that recliner, grab the camera (cell phone if that's your camera) and go photograph something. Caution: Because a body in motion tends to stay in motion remember to take breaks and stay hydrated.

You don't have to travel far for interesting photo ops. I shot the Photo of the Week nearby: another example of photojournalism, telling a story with a photo. The story is about the young and adults all enjoying Sespe Creek flowing from recent rains. Remember splashing in puddles as a youngster?

Think about developing your photographic eye by spending just three hours one day a week photographing whatever suits your fancy or catches your eye. Practice reaps rewards. Furthermore, and more importantly, practicing photography is an extremely gratifying creative experience. And more satisfying than pickling ice cream. Trust me!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net