There are two distinct approaches to photography: reactive and proactive. The type of photography you do depends on your personality and how comfortable you are with each of those approaches. What kind of photographer are you? Reactive is probably the most common type of photography.
What is it? The easiest way to understand that is with an example: you go for a walk, spot something interesting, and photograph it. It’s spontaneous and relies, to a certain extent, on the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time. Of course, you can increase your chances of getting a reactive photo by choosing the place and the time, and the more thought you put into the image, the further it slides toward being proactive.
Reactive photography is instantly adaptable, and you need to be responsive. As new situations arise, you must be ready for them. So when that stag bellows in the autumnal cold air, or you react to a street performer doing his stuff, you must be prepared to respond.
Wildlife and street photography are two genres where the photographer often responds to what is happening in front of them. The photographer's skills are reflected in their ability to capture a vital moment. The bird taking off, the wave crashing on a beacon, and the tender moment shared by an old married couple in a park are all incidents where reactive photography comes into play.
It requires observation and anticipation of the precise fraction of a second when you should release the shutter. M.
