fo·cus ('fO-k&s) 1 a : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge; specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system b : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons).

Despite the title this is not going to be an article on making sharper photographs. Rather, this is an article on venturing forth on a photographic outing with specific photographic goals in mind. There is little doubt that many of us wish to consider ourselves "general" photographers, always ready for whatever photographic opportunity is presented us. What many of us don't seem to realize is that this "readiness" works against us. So many of us attempt to drag along nearly every piece of photographic equipment we own on nearly each and every shoot and we very nearly come home with good images. In our desire to photograph everything we lose our photographic "focus". For example...

From the early 1970s to the late 1990s I photographed wildlife and nature, spent time as a forensic photographer and an aerial photographer, and freelanced shooting model portfolios. As quickly as my photographic interests expanded, the quality of my images decreased just as quickly. I was just trying to photograph too many different subjects at any one time.

In those early years it was not uncommon for me to be lugging around 2-Nikon F2 bodies (one loaded with color transparency film, the other loaded with color negative film) and lenses of focal lengths 28mm, 35mm, 55mm macro, 105mm macro, 135mm, 200mm, and 300mm. All of this and all of the necessary filters, film, electronic flash, lens hoods, filter adapters, etc. were packed in a sufficiently large, foam-lined backpack. Let's not forget that I also carried a large tripod with a heavy pan/tilt head. I was loaded for any opportunity that presented itself.

A typical photographic outing would find me either cruising a location in my car looking for photo opportunities or...egads!... carrying all of this equipment with me on my favorite hiking trails. When a suitable subject was found I would rummage around in my equipment backpack for the most suitable gear to make my photograph. Looking back on these times, I now realize I spent a great deal of time changing equipment. Almost everything I photographed required an equipment change and I would strive to make as many useable images in a day that I could. It is no wonder I wasn't always thrilled with the results of a day's shoot.

The early to mid-1980s saw a great housing boom in the Sedona, Arizona, USA area. All of the area around was affected. Beautiful scenery was being bulldozed by the acre. I decided to spend some time photographing the areas under development before the bulldozers permanently scarred the land. Deciding my 35mm gear was not the best choice for landscapes, I purchased a couple of Mamiya 645 bodies and 45mm, 150mm, and 210mm lenses and spent the next three years photographing the surrounding hillsides, mesas, and creeks.

My best body of work was produced during this time. I had basically ignored all other subjects and turned my full attention to the changing landscape. Did I learn anything from this? Evidently...not. I replaced the Mamiya 645s with a 4" x 5" view camera for landscapes and returned to my old ways of trying to photograph everything as it came along. The only difference being that I now had a 4" x 5" view camera to juggle along with all of my 35mm gear! I spent the next several years missing more photographic opportunities and becoming more disenchanted with my images.

fo·cus ('fO-k&s) 2c : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding...5 a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention b : a point of concentration.

Undoubtedly, by now you must see where the focus (pun intended) of this article is leading. It took me more years than I had left to spend to realize that I couldn't photograph everything at all times. I lacked focus...and my images, for several years, reflected that lack of focus.

I visit a lot of photgraphy forums on the Internet. I kind of cringe when I see extensive lists of equipment that other photographers claim to pack into a single Lowe Pro backpack. I can't help but think that these photographers are trying to do too much on a single outing. Generally, when I look at these photographers' images, my suspicions are bourne out. Images look rushed with little time spent considering photographing the subject in the best light or with the best composition. I conjure up images of these photographers rushing willy-nilly, here and there, rummaging in their backpacks, grabbing variuos pieces of equipment, all the while their subjects escape them. This is not a hard vision for me to conjure up. I used to work this way myself!

Slow down!! Before you go "out there" to make photographs, take some time to consider the types of photographs you want to make. Take only that equipment which will help you make those targeted images. Resist the urge to take all of your gear at once in the hopes that you will be prepared for any subject that comes along. Remove distractions and focus on the subjects you have decided to photograph. You can't "photograph it all" because you just can't possibly "see it all" at any one time. Concentrate on particular subjects and your images will reflect that concentration and focus. When a photographer tries to photograph "it all", the images invariably are as cluttered as the photographer's vision.

When in the field I carry with me as little gear as possible. I decide before I go in the field what kinds of photos I'll be making...macro, landscapes, or avian/wildlife. Whatever I need for a day's focused shooting fits in a short flyfishing vest. Since limiting my focus on particular subjects, the photographs I have made since adopting a more focused style of shooting have never looked better. By limiting the amount of gear I carry, my back has never felt better, too!

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Addendum: I originally penned this essay in 2005 for another web site that I hosted. Since that time I have have narrowed my photographic interests to exclusively photographing birds, dragonflies, and the occasional small mammal that gets in my way. Still, I have adopted a very focused style of photography. When I'm out photographing birds I ignore dragonflies. If I am photographing dragonflies I ignore birds. (Small mammals are fair game no matter what I am photographing!) I will even go so far as to target particular species of birds or dragonflies. This helps me decide what minimal amount of gear I need to take with me and reduces distractions when I'm in the field. As the old commercial used to state, "Try it. You'll like it!"