Don't Take Pictures

I usually catch a little flak around the office because I call it making an image instead of taking a picture. Sure, it might sound pretentious to some, but there’s a reason I say it that way.

Saying I’m “taking a picture” implies the camera is doing 98% of the work and I’m just the guy pressing the button. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I say I’m making a photograph because each shot is intentional. I see a scene I want to capture, and then I make decisions: where to stand, how to compose, how to adjust for the light. I also think about what message or feeling I want that image to convey. The final photograph is an amalgam of all those choices.

In over ten years of teaching photography, this mindset shift has made the biggest difference for my students.

A camera is great at documenting a scene or an object. But it can do so much more. Back in the late 1800s, photographers like Timothy O’Sullivan weren’t just told to “go take some pretty pictures.” As one historian put it, they “sought out the vantage points that might make it possible to recreate for easterners a sense of the immensity and primordial silence of the region.” Their images didn’t just describe the land, they inspired Americans to leave their homes and head west.

Even in the 1860s, photography was more than “Ooo, something pretty… snap.”

I bring this up because shifting your mindset from taking to making can instantly improve your photographs. I can sit here and talk about exposure, shutter speed, and aperture all day, but none of that matters if you can’t compose an engaging image. It doesn’t matter how interesting your subject is if the photograph itself isn’t interesting to look at.

So, what does making a photograph actually look like? Here are a few concrete things to try next time you pull out your camera or phone:

1. Use Gridlines and the Rule of Thirds
   Turn on gridlines in your camera settings. They’re not just there for decoration. Position your subject along these lines or at their intersections to create a more balanced, interesting composition instead of centering everything by default.
   

2. Move Your Feet
   Don’t settle for the first angle you see. Walk around your subject. Get higher, lower, or off to the side. Often, just a foot or two of movement can eliminate background clutter or reveal better light.
   

3. Control Exposure for Mood
   Light isn’t just there to brighten things up. It’s what makes a photo look flat or dramatic. Intentionally underexpose to create a moodier, more dramatic image, or overexpose slightly for a brighter, airy feel. On a phone, tap and hold to lock focus, then slide your finger up or down to adjust exposure. On a camera, use exposure compensation or manual mode to dial in your desired look.
   

4. Play with Focal Lengths
   If your phone has multiple lenses, use them. A wide-angle lens captures more environment and feels immersive, while a telephoto lens compresses the scene and isolates your subject. On a camera, zooming in or using a longer lens can separate your subject from the background and create cleaner, simpler images.
   

5. Use Portrait Mode or Shallow Depth of Field
   Portrait mode on phones blurs the background and draws attention to your subject. On a camera, shoot with a lower f-stop (e.g. f/2.8) to achieve the same effect. This separation helps keep your subject clear and impactful.
   

6. Watch the Light
   Light is everything in photography. Morning and evening provide softer, warmer light that adds depth and texture. If you’re stuck shooting in harsh midday sun, look for shade or adjust your angle to use the light creatively rather than fighting it.
   

7. Fill the Frame Intentionally
   Decide what matters in your photo and get rid of what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to get closer or crop tighter to eliminate distractions and make your subject stand out.
   

8. Ask Yourself “Why?”
   Before you press the shutter, ask: Why am I taking this photo? What am I trying to show or say with it? Even a two-second pause to answer that question will make your images more intentional and impactful.
   

These aren’t complicated techniques. They’re simple ways to shift from just recording what’s in front of you to actually making photographs worth looking at twice.

Whether you’re snapping a grip and grins, or documenting the little moments of your hunt, remember this:

You can call it whatever you want, taking a picture or making a photograph. But if you’re only taking them, you’re missing out on the chance to tell the full story. You’re leaving a lot on the table, and in hunting, we all know how important it is to make the most of what’s in front of us.