Do You Reshoot?

by Dave Wilson on Mar.05, 2010, under Photography

Lone Star, Texas State History Museum (HDR), originally uploaded by DaveWilsonPhotography.

At least one very well respected photographer whose blog I read claims that he never reshoots a subject he has shot before. Why take more pictures of something you already have when you could be moving on to newer and better subjects? I’m afraid my attitude is rather different.

If I have visited somewhere, taken shots and realised that under different lighting or weather conditions there are even better shots to be had, I will make an effort to return and get those images when the conditions are right. This, obviously, is a great deal easier when the location is local but I’ve also done this on vacations and can think of a few occasions when I’ve deliberately gone back to get a better version of a shot I already had (for example, consider these two shots of the tower at the Glasgow Science Centre, the first from 2005, and the second from 2009).

The image above is a great example of this. I’ve visited the Texas State History Museum many, many times (we are family members) and already have at least one shot of the building and star that I am delighted with. I did not, however, have any image which really showed off the size and drama of the Lone Star sculpture. Last Sunday, therefore, when I saw a perfect sky for HDR (you have to love deep blue with lots of high cirrus when you’re a Photomatix user) I headed back and took this and several other shots. I’m definitely of the opinion that these are my best yet of the location – what do you think? Sometimes it pays to give that old location a second look.

1 Comment for this entry

michaeltuuk
March 5th, 2010 on Mar 05, 10 | 4:27 pm
I reshoot all the time. As I learn how to compose better, use the camera better, post-process better, etc I know I can improve the shot I had before. IMO those absolutes are for elitists. “I only use natural light”. “If you use selective color you should not be allowed to own a camera”. All stated with the nose up in the air. Whatever

Also, as you mention, many times the conditions are different and you want the new shot. I went after the UT tower and Littlefield fountain in the fog recently…didn’t get it. I intend to chase the fog there again someday even though I’ve already shot there.

This is a great shot BTW. I had hoped to get this shot (the same day I got this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeltuuk/4395344123/ ) but it was raining too much to risk it.

Mike
michaeltuuk´s last blog ..Why I Don’t Blog About Politics…With Some Flash Photography Thrown In