Great art can be quick

I was grumbling Wednesday morning about how you can’t just make a good picture happen on demand. And that can be true — Setting up, planning and patience all contribute to amazing photographs. But that would seem to contradict the idea of artistic photojournalism, which is generally all about capturing a moment that happens free form your influence.

So yes, it’s true: Great art can’t be rushed, and preparation pays off. But if you remain open, free of pressure and avoid letting yourself be trapped by negative or narrow viewpoints, you can find some kind of good photo in almost anything. And you’ll likely be able to do so much faster than you might think you can.

Listening: The Decemberists’ “Hazards of Love” … obsessively.