Question - How far would you go to get the shot?

[metaldoggie]

Hi

I've just started learning photography, although I am experienced in other graphic mediums and I know artistically what makes a great image (I just lack the technical skills to achieve it with a camera right now).

This morning I was driving on the highway and saw a group of deer, where I could pull over somewhat safely and take some shots.....only thing is I was chicken to pull over because technically I shouldn't be pulling off anyway.

It got me thinking about where to draw the line between my own safety and the shot.

My question is how far would you go to get the shot you are after and how far HAVE you gone even though it wasn't safe?

[OsmosisStudios]

I have done things that probably arent safe. I've basically gone rope-free rock-climbing a few times, much to the chagrin of my travel partners, mother, grandmother, etc. I've also stopped many times by the side of the road, probably illegally, but nothing too ridiculous.

In your situation, if there had been a shoulder and I had a reasonable expectation of getting a shot, I might have tried pulling over but that depends on a whole list of factors.

[Sonya Natasha]

I have yet to do anything dangerous to get the shot, but I have resorted to lying on the ground for a few shots:

I had alot of tourists look at me strange for this one (didn't care - I might never be there again!)


My co-worker still laughs at me for this one:


Not dangerous, but I find that I am starting to get braver about 'looking foolish' to get a shot

[IABoomer]

The most "dangerous" thing I can think of that involved getting a picture was shooting freehand while driving through the mountains in Tennessee to get this. No way to look through the viewfinder while driving, so just set the zoom, listen for the focus beep, squeeze the shutter and chimp later.



One of the more undignified/silly things I did was to lay flat on my back underneath a sculpture to shoot this shot of the sky/sun as seen through the sculpture. I'm sure people seeing me laying on the ground thought I was a bit silly, but of the images I took this day, this one is probably my favorite.

[JAD40]

That shot looking up at the sculpture is pretty amazing.

[candleman]

probably leaning too far over a low railing at a museum.. yeah the Marble floor 3 stories below scared the sh*t out of me, when i wobbled a bit, thats the dumbest thing i've done.

[Sollie_Nevina]

I've probably done some foolish stuff to get the pictures (climbing up rickety branches, stairs, ladders, etc) and I've looked quite foolish also lol. But I think they turn out well enough.

The main thing is to never push your comfort level too much.

[Slyanius]

If an aspect of composition is to present your subject in a way that it is rarely seen, then I'm afraid you'd have to do things people seldom do to get the good shots.

[Eross18]

The most dangerous one I've done is, jumped of a 40ft cliff to get a more extrodinary angle of the horizon, it was sand below, I think it was more dangerous for my camera. Lol. But I would agree, u need to only go as far as ur comfort level feels. If u force urself...u could get hurt. But some things make for a better shot

[BCampbell]

Was almost arrested for trespassing along with two friends on a shoot.

Don't recommend that.

Didn't end up with many shots from that one, obviously, but honestly it was probably not a safe place to be in anyway: