Where was I, in my head, when that shot was taken?  Did I plan it or did it just happen/appear?  Was I busy taking as many shots as possible in order to capture just that "one right one", or did I spot it, frame it and shoot?

I've given clarity to my entire process within my "About the OM" page; so I thought I'd use a couple of my favorite memories to share where "I was at" at that very moment.  For example, the Chacma Baboon juvenile (above) was part of an entire extended family unit that numbered over 20 within South Africa's Cape (of Good Hope) Point National Park.  Not for the faint of heart, we lingered on the road as they made their way alongside our small car ... peering in, pulling roadside vegetation for nourishment, and occasionally frolicking in sexual play.  You don't want to leave your vehicle when they're around, nor do you want windows open.  But I made sure they were all at least 20' away and sitting on the curb before I opened the window and spotted this youth.  Once I found my position, I leaned into the shot, still, motionless but ready to snap the shot, and let them get used to me...which they did.  Except for this juvenile.  He focused on me and, in this shot, positioned himself like a Sumo wrestler ready for the call.  My settings were f/5.6 at 1/200.  With him being so young, I wanted a higher speed shutter to capture moments of sudden movement....and I got this eye-to-eye view.

The same theory could be said for one of my all-time favorites.  This male lion was resting in roadside brush within the Klaserie Private Reserve/Kruger Natural Park in South Africa.  Every evening we went out on a drive to spot nocturnal wildlife, such as Leopards and Lions.  We got word that a lion couple were relaxing after dusk in preparation for their evening hunt.  So after almost an hour racing through the high bush, dodging thorny acacia branches, and riding rough and bumpy dirt roads, we slowed to encounter the couple relaxing about 20' from us.  After being advised to remain seated, so as to not break the silhouette of the jeep the cats would see, I opened my shutter and aperture to take in as much of the scene as possible without jarring flashes.  I slowed down to 1/60 and opened up to f/5.6 ... ISO 800.  As with the patience of Job, the male would slowly move from shut-eye to profile, to this shot:  another eye-to-eye glance which he locked in for at least a full minute.  Never did I move a muscle or flash a bulb...and the Universe rewarded me with some amazing close-ups of this majestic cat.

Not as spectacular, but equally as exciting was a sunset visit by two Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills.  Perhaps, mated...perhaps, just friends.  But obviously in synch with the other.  While we were relaxing at a watering hole after sunset, this pair landed about 50' from us and just sat there taking in the view.  Whatever else was on their avian minds, they moved as a pair and spread their wings at just the right moment for this shot:  1/125 and f/8.  Not all pictures work well monochromatically, but dusk muted all colors such that grays and blacks danced and created this piece.

Finally, let's jump further north...much further north to Jerusalem, Israel.  What I'll share has less to do with patience in the wild, and everything to do with seeing something beyond the apparent within a public space.

While in Jerusalem, I visited the Israel Museum and strolled through the Billy Rose Art Garden.  A permanent piece,  The Warrior of Montauban by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle caught my eye with its power and taught energy.  You know, as great as the piece is...I couldn't take my eyes off of the outstretched hand.  There was something so life-affirming, energetic and if it could be captured in one word:  Potential.  With the mid-day Israeli sun beating down on the palm, I chose to step back and capture the energy behind the palm; of an arm reaching, reaching to...well, whatever the viewer chooses to see.  I have only recently transposed this work into Black&White, as its color companion hangs in a special place in my home.  Aspire was the first and, really, only name I gave to this shot. I didn't shut down the speed much, as I wanted a bit of haze around the fingertips; and I let in a bit more light than I ordinarily would have.  All in all, this is an example of facing a grand image and letting your eyes, trusting your eyes to, lead you to the most dynamic point at that particular moment.  Who knows?  Perhaps, the next visit will draw me to the face, grimace or sword-in-clenched-fist.  But, for now, getting this shot means listening to my inner OM...that voice that says "look at that hand; walk around that hand; capture that hand."  After all...it is ALL good!