Feeling like your photography is scattered and unfocused can be frustrating. It’s easy to end up with a collection of images that don’t quite connect. The solution? Shooting with intent.
Coming to you from Alex Kilbee with The Photographic Eye, this insightful video highlights the importance of intent in photography. Kilbee draws inspiration from the legendary Robert Frank, whose book "The Americans" is a masterclass in shooting with purpose. Every shot in that collection wasn’t just about technical perfection—it was about conveying an emotional narrative. By focusing on what he wanted to communicate, Frank created images that told a story about America. This concept of intent, Kilbee argues, can help you avoid the feeling of disconnection in your own work. It’s not about randomly snapping whatever you see; it’s about understanding what you want your images to express.
Kilbee illustrates this by sharing a personal experience using an app to create pseudo long-exposure images. He went out with a specific goal: to explore how the app could capture the loneliness and ghostly echoes of a city. Instead of simply experimenting without direction, he set a clear objective. The result? Images that felt more cohesive and meaningful. When you approach your photography with this kind of clear purpose, your images can evoke stronger emotions and resonate with your audience.
The video also emphasizes the value of experimenting outside your comfort zone. Kilbee mentions how he typically shoots in black and white but decided to challenge himself by focusing on color photography during a day in London. This shift forced him to see scenes differently, revealing elements he would have missed in his usual style. Intent doesn’t mean sticking rigidly to one method; it’s about choosing a direction and seeing where it leads. Trying new things with a clear purpose, like deliberately seeking out color, can unlock new creative possibilities.
Kilbee extends this idea by encouraging you to create a shot list before heading out. It might sound like a basic idea, but having a plan can make a huge difference. Shot lists, often used by filmmakers, can help structure your shoot, giving you specific goals to work towards rather than just relying on luck. When you have a list, you’re more likely to find and capture the moments you envision, and less likely to feel lost or aimless. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.
