It doesn’t matter how hard you try, taking pictures, especially in public, can cause stress and embarrassment for the photographer. Most amateurs will shy away from a shot they would really like to capture because of the threat of public exposure or ridicule. When the time does come for that great image, shots are often hurried with little thought as to composition and, not infrequently, incorrect camera settings.

If you fit into this category, then you need to act like a pro

Professional photographers make their living from taking photographs. Their work may be diverse – from a group shot with an important corporate client to a simple record of a church bazaar for the local press. In all cases, the images have much importance as they might be used for illustration in a glossy brochure or magazine or needed for the front page of the daily newspaper.

Many professionals have to work to a tight schedule and all of them will have a client that is eager to see the results expertly delivered. The client (or employer) pays for the professional’s expertise and the photographer is under pressure to come up with the goods.

How would you do in this situation? Would you sweat and panic? Would you fumble and stutter? Do you know how to handle your equipment under the severest of pressures and conditions and could you produce acceptable images each and every time?

How would you feel if your livelihood was dependent upon getting paid for perfect images?

Luckily, for most of us, there are no such pressures and we can either forego an important shot or accept substandard quality. After all, we are only amateurs and our day job pays the bills.

However, by looking at how professional photographers carry out some of their tasks, you can learn and gain confidence and skills in taking those all-important shots.

In the next part I will discuss attitude.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

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• Digital Camera Prices – How to REALLY Get the Best Deal


• Using Your New Digital Camera


• How a Prime Lens Can Improve Your Photography


• 10 Reasons to Own, and Use, a Lens Cap


• Taking Pictures of Groups


• Low Light and Night Photography


• Sound Like A Pro In Just One Page! 1 of 3


• Taking Pictures in Bad Weather #1


• Taking Pictures in Bad Weather #2