P#12 Q7B: Parting Words of Wisdom from Master Action Photographer Charlie Borland

Have Fun

Charlie Borland: The most important thing about action photography is to have fun doing it. You have to have fun because it makes what you're doing much more exciting and that's going to show in your pictures.

You need to love where you are and get out there and dive in to whatever you might be doing. Immerse yourself in the activity.

That excitement and exuberance is going to get your mind thinking faster. Take pictures at different angles, become more aware of your surroundings, the light, and that sort of thing.

Dive into it, so to speak, with enthusiasm and excitement and it will show in your photographs. Don't put yourself in any dangerous situations (like hanging off a cliff), but capture the excitement without putting yourself in danger.

I've had friends, for example (and I've done it myself) who get out of the raft and float along side it as they're going through a small rapid with an underwater camera (while wearing a helmet, of course). This is a great way to get a completely different perspective on shooting rafting -- actually being in the water as the boat and you are going through a rapid.

Just make sure you're always safe and take precautions. Push the envelope, but don't compromise safety.

As one famous action photographer said a long time ago, "It's not always about the picture; it's about the adventure as well." If you're having a great adventure, that will translate into great pictures.

Audri Lanford: Thanks so much, Charlie. Before we close, can you tell our listeners what's the best way for them to learn about the many things that you offer?

Charlie Borland: I do quite a bit of teaching. I actually have a company called Aspen Photo Workshops. We teach a variety of online classes as well as location workshops.

In 2009 we're going to have some sort of adventure photography workshop that really goes deep into everything that we've discussed today. Listeners are more than welcome to send me an email at Aspen Photo Workshops. The link is right on the home page. I'd be happy to answer questions.

Audri Lanford: I know you also teach at the Perfect Picture School of Photography.

Charlie Borland: That's correct, yes I do teach at Perfect Picture School of Photography. I teach commercial photography classes there. Those are more related to lighting, studio lighting, flash photography, things that came from my background as a commercial photographer.

While at Aspen, our workshops are more related to the outdoors, adventure, nature, the landscape, that sort of thing.

I think with anybody that wants to get into adventure photography, most photographers these days need to be jack of all trades, for lack of a better term. Don't limit yourself to one thing. Pursue all the opportunities that you can find.

To Conclude

Love what you do -- it's a saying that applies to everyone, not just photographers. If you really want your action photos to stand out and you're serious about becoming a better action photographer, make sure you really get into your shoots and enjoy what you're doing, because your photos will show it.