UNLOCK YOUR SHOTS

The bucket shot: can an image change your life?

With Hilary O'Leary

This is the most important decade in history to be an explorer. We are the generations that caused the global crisis we face... we are also discovering the solutions.

As a photographer, I can attest that an image can indeed change your life. For me, that image was my first "bucket shot." The moment I took it, I knew it was the one - the shot that would define a career and elevate my photography to new heights. This one was not pre-planned or staged; instead, I was driven by a singular focus on telling a story, a sense that an award-winning narrative was waiting to be found and shared with the world. In that moment, when I captured the shot, everything came together - the lighting, the subject, the composition - in a way that was nothing short of magical. It was then that I realised the true power of photography, the ability to freeze a moment in time and tell a story that resonates with people on an emotional level. That is why I am a photographer - to capture moments like this and share them with the world, in the hope that they, too, can change someone's life. The quest for the perfect shot, known as the "bucket shot," is a true test of a photographer's skills and determination, meeting that powerful moment that evokes an emotion, and one never gets tired of gazing at it. This shot requires a deep understanding of one's subject, a keen eye for composition and lighting, the skill not to miss it and the patience to wait for that fleeting moment of perfection. These images, and many others like them, have had a lasting impact on the viewer, community and even the world, bringing attention to important issues, inspiring change, and shaping public opinion. They are a testament to the power of photography to capture moments from love to moments that can change the course of history. I also want to let you in on a secret... If you'd like to be a photographer famous for unforgettable moments, you must embrace adventure. Get out of your comfort zone, experience the world, and surround yourself with people as passionate about photography and life as you are!

The key to this lock - create an image that not only pleases the eye but also touches the viewer's heart.