Many times the secret to nailing a good photo is simply a matter of patience. However, no matter how long you have to wait around for the shot you want, sometimes you just have to take the photo as you see it.
I had spotted the scene of colorful Curaçao as viewed from the deck of the cruise ship. We were slowly approaching the dock and I thought “That would be a good picture.”
I quickly returned to my room to get my camera and grab the shot. However, when I returned, some old guy was perched in front of the view I wanted and stayed there the whole time we approached the dock. I waited and waited but he did not move. The fact that the old guy bore some resemblance to my hateful neighbor George just pissed me off even more. I finally gave up on him moving and took the following:
That would be the end of the story, but a year or two later we made a return trip to Curaçao. Knowing the shot I wanted, this time I was ready for it and got it.
Funny thing though, now as I look at both photos, I think I prefer the one with the old guy in it.