My Photography Bucket List

I got interested in photography after seeing a number of beautiful photos, then telling myself I will learn how to capture similar shots. I thought it was just a matter of finding a nice spot and clicking the shutter release. Little did I know that finding the right spot is just the first step. I next have to consider the intensity and source of the light, composition, aperture, shutter speed, iso, and how all of these should work together to produce one beautiful picture. Sounds overwhelming initially but as they say, once you learn how these all play together, it is like driving, or biking, or even walking, where you will not plan your next moves, they just happen out of instinct.

Well, I have taken the first steps but I have a loooong way to go from being a newbie to becoming a full fledged photographer.

Yes I own a DSLR but that does not make me a photographer. Yes I got a few lenses but that does not assure me of a perfect photo everytime I take one.

But I know, with practice and dedication, I will be able to take those beautiful photos. For the meantime, here is a list of photos I want to take one day:

1. star trails - i have long wanted to do this but doing so means staying overnight at a high place somewhere in a rural area where there is less pollution and false light. Successful star trail photos sometimes take hours to capture.

photo credits: www.wunderground.com

2. traffic trails - i tried doing this but I am not satisfied with the results because I was at road-level. Best spot is at an overpass of a busy 2-way highway since the yellow lights of the incoming vehicles will give a nice contrast to the red lights of the vehicles going the other direction.

photo credits: www.jaaphotography .com


3. long exposure waterfalls - i was able to do this at Lake Caliraya but with the guidance of our instructor, Richard Larrios. I want to do it again on my own so I can test if I remember everything he taught us.


I want to shoot a tall, cascading falls. Even Wawa Dam is a good subject, problem is there are always many people taking a bath there and using long exposure is not an option.


photo credits: Jeff Howard

4. shooting bangui windmills - just getting near them is already a wish. A sunset shot would be great!


photo credits: diverdown

5. panning shots - the best panning shots require speed and space, so i think I must be in a sort of racing track, a road or playground to best do this.

6. water droplet shot - this shot requires patience, patience and more patience



7. macro shots


This will be a bit of a challenge because firstly, i need a macro lens which costs an arm and a leg (calling on the universe...). Secondly, I need to be around flora and fauna, the best subjects for macro shots. Best place would be a park or a garden and going down on all fours is somehow needed to get the best shots. My dream shot would be that of an ant carrying a leaf or food. Just no frogs shots please.

photo credits: Licht