Fish, Hunt and Work the Scene for Color

 Focusing on color was a bit of a challenge for me at first. Where I’m located, there’s not a whole lot of vibrant color in the environment, so recalibrating my attention to see color more intentionally took
effort. But that’s also what made it exciting. When color did show up, it stood out almost like it demanded attention. I had to be ready to react quickly to capture those natural moments before they disappeared. It made me slow down and really look, instead of just snapping what was in front of me. Elevating color to the forefront changed how I saw the street it became more about waiting for that pop or contrast that could bring an image to life Some of my images definitely reflect a connection between color and mood. For instance, in one photo, a person walked past a dull gray wall while wearing a bright red jacket. That red didn’t just stand out visually it added energy, emotion, and even a sense of urgency to the scene. I’ve come to see that color can set the tone just as much as light or subject matter. Sometimes it works by drawing the viewer in, and other times it creates contrast that makes you linger longer on the image.s for the different approaches fishing, hunting, and working the scene I learned a lot from trying each one. Fishing was probably the most effective in certain locations, especially where the background or lighting was already strong. I’d find a good spot and just wait for something interesting to come into the frame. That approach gave me some of my favorite shots because it let the scene unfold naturally, and I could be fully prepared when the moment happened. Hunting, on the other hand, was the hardest. I knew what kind of photo I wanted, but finding that specific moment that could separate me from other photographers wasn’t easy. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more intentional, which I think helped me grow the most creatively. Working the scene was kind of in the middle. It gave me space to experiment—trying different angles, distances, and compositions. That flexibility helped me understand what worked and what didn’t in real-time. Ultimately, I think the best approach really depends on the situation. If the environment is visually rich or has a strong color palette, fishing is my go-to. If I have a concept in mind or want to challenge myself, I’ll go hunting. And when I stumble on something with potential but it’s not quite there yet, working the scene helps me make the most of it. Sometimes switching between approaches is exactly what you need. If I start by fishing but nothing’s happening, switching to hunting can get my creative energy moving. Or if I’m hunting and feeling stuck, taking a step back and working the scene can help unlock something new. It’s all about staying flexible and aware just like color, the approach has to match the mood.