How important is luck in photography? I’ve had a lot of conversations with friends or just people wondering how did I get that specific picture and I always said that I truly believe in luck. Naturally being lucky in photography is part of a process that involve being at the right place at the right time, but also knowing what you are doing. I think luck is necessary for the final result but I also believe you need to create your own luck to be lucky. Let me explain this better: if you want to get a photo of a bear in Yellowstone, probably driving around the National Park won’t be enough to get a good picture. If you want a good firework image, probably turning the camera to the sky and clicking won’t be enough to get what you are thinking. 95% of the time, to the get a good picture it requires a lot of information:

• Location: you need to know how to get to the place you believe is the right one
• Environment: you need to know what you have around and if you need specific equipment to get there
• Outfits: depending on the environment you will have to know how to dress correctly: will it be cold, will it be wet? will it be a long walk? We often go in places that we know we might won’t get back so, you don’t want to get surprised by the weather nor the circumstances. If you planned ahead you will have more chances to get the picture you want.
• Camera: yes, it sounds laughable, but knowing your equipment is probably the most important thing. Every time you think at in image that you want to click, you have it well drawn in your mind but you need to communicate your thoughts to the camera through the settings. If you don’t know what your camera is capable of, if you don’t know how to “translate” your thoughts in numbers you will never get what you are thinking and seeing.
• The reason: you need to know not only what you are looking for, but also why you are looking for that. Do you want to bring back home a memory of your vacation or do you want to tell a story? Do you want just to snap what you see or do you want to let understand whoever is watching your photo your passion, your skills, your patience and your knowledge?

You are the owner of your luck. Being in the right place at the right time can happen, but it can never be the image you ever dreamed. Do you want the perfect picture? Search information, look for the weather, find out how accessible is the place you want to go, remember to pack the right equipment, charge your batteries, bring a torch light, wear comfortable shoes, turn the cell phone volume down, and be patience.
Clear is that if it doesn’t happen… it doesn’t happen. If the bear doesn’t want to cross by your path, you will never get the picture you want. If the sky is cloudy or windy your fireworks pictures won’t look the best. But if you get prepared, you can help your luck!