The Yin and Yang of Photography: Spontaneity vs Planning

Christiane Dedeene: Portrait of former dancer at Maurice Béjart Ballet

Photography, like life, can be approached in two distinct ways: spontaneity and planning.

Photographers often categorise themselves as either spontaneous or planned — street or conceptual. I rebel against being put in a box. As you can see from my work, I'll tackle anything, use the best approach, and do whatever I please. I won't conform to a label imposed by myself or by others.

Let's look at the dance between spontaneity and planned photography.

Street performers dancing, England

Spontaneity is about embracing the unexpected. It involves capturing fleeting moments as they unfold, relying on intuition and quick reflexes. It allows us to stumble upon hidden treasures, capturing moments that may only last for an instant but leave an enduring impact. The results are often raw and unfiltered, revealing the beauty found in the unexpected. This is the joy of my street photography practice.

On the other hand, planning involves careful preparation and arrangement. It's about orchestrating a scene, considering every element and detail. Planning gives us the power to shape our artistic vision. We create images that evoke specific emotions and narratives by arranging and organising various elements. This approach allows for greater control and precision, producing a well-crafted image that tells a deliberate story. It's essential for following a brief or depicting a concept.

Both approaches have their merits.

Passion for Flamenco at the Carmen de las Cuevas school in Granada, Spain

Ultimately, photography benefits from the dance between spontaneity and planning. They complement each other, contributing unique flavours to our artistic practice. Embracing both allows us to explore the full spectrum of creative possibilities and fully express our artistic vision.

Wet dog water dance, Belgium

So don't limit yourself. Explore both extremes and use both simultaneously. Even when you've planned everything down to the last detail, be open to the unexpected and embrace the moment.

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