Technique: The Bedrock of Every Great Action Shot

Crested Caracara with dead Cattle Egret | Photo: TJ Waller

Technique: The Difference Between a Masterpiece and a Blurry Mess

    In my introductory post, "What is the TGIF Photography Method?", I touched on how Technique is the starting point of my new photography teaching method. But what does that actually look like in practice?

    In action photography, technique is the difference between a "lucky" shot and a consistent masterpiece. It is the muscle memory that allows you to stop thinking about the buttons and start feeling the rhythm of the game. Technique is what makes a photo look intentional. Anyone can get a lucky shot, but your technique is what makes people stop and say, "Wow!"

Technique: Progressive in Nature

    Don't let anyone fool you into believing that once you learn how to actually use your camera and other equipment, then you are finished learning and you can go out and get the awesome shots you've been dreaming about getting. That's simply not true.

    Since "technique" encompasses so many aspects of photography, you should always be learning and modifying your technique. Every separate niche of photography has its different techniques, it's progressive and unending in nature.

TGIF Techniques

    While I can only get you started on the path to your own technique, I teach you "the basics" or "foundational techniques" that everyone needs to know in order to even begin molding their own technique. Once we get passed the basics, then it's in the field where the specialty techniques are actually learned and honed - and the fun begins!

Wildlife and Nature Techniques

A female bobcat striking her "Bigfoot" pose as she looks back at me | Photo: TJ Waller

    If you are taking my Wildlife/Nature classes, the techniques you will learn will enable you to get the shots you see on the cover of magazines! Some of the techniques I cover are:

• Target Acquisition: Even with a static subject, you must be able to raise your camera and frame the shot instantly. I teach you the technique of using your camera and lens as front and rear sights; ensuring that even in high-pressure moments, you're locked on and ready to fire before the opportunity passes.

• Composition: In action and wildlife photography, things move too fast for textbook framing. That’s why I teach what I call Kinetic Composition—the ability to instinctively frame a high-speed subject the moment the shutter clicks, ensuring the energy of the move is captured even when you only have a fraction of a second to react.

• Perspective: A shot’s perspective can easily make or break its impact. Most people are content standing at eye level to snap a quick photo—what I call the "Human Perspective." While that’s fine for a family album, it lacks the drama and intimacy required for wildlife photography. To truly capture the soul of a subject, you have to enter their world. By getting low to the ground and adopting a "Wildlife Perspective," you bridge the gap between being a spectator and being a storyteller. You aren't just showing what you saw; you're showing how they live.

   The beauty of the TGIF Method is its versatility; these core principles are universal. While they are the foundation of my wildlife work, they naturally translate to the sidelines of a sports stadium, the flight line of an airshow, or the thunder of a rocket launch. Each of these high-action fields carries its own specialized nuances and technical demands, all of which I cover in my dedicated workshops. Whether you’re shooting a bald eagle or a Falcon 9, I teach you how to turn these techniques into an elite-level skill set.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Starling Group 6-36 Streaking into the night | Photo: TJ Waller

The Bedrock is Just the Beginning

    Mastering the "T" in the TGIF Method takes time, discipline, and a lot of practice in the field. But once you gain some confidence and start utilizing Kinetic Composition, you stop hoping for a good shot and start expecting one.

    If you’re ready to sharpen your Target Acquisition skills and take your action photography to the next level, I’m here to help. Reach out to book a 1-on-1 photography lesson, and let’s start building your bedrock.

    Stay tuned for my next post, where we dive into the "G" in TGIF: Gear.