I have always been a fan of gun-slinger western movies and films, as well as samurai films.
This is something that has always been interesting to me:
How do gun-slingers or samurai train their speed and precision?
Some practical ideas:
1. Shoot zone focusing:
For zone focusing it is best to use a rangefinder or a Leica, or perhaps “snap” mode on RICOH GR II. The idea is you prefocus your lens to around 1.2 meters, shoot at f8, ISO 1600. If you can use zone focusing effectively, you should shoot faster than autofocus.
For more tips, read LEICA MANUAL >
2. Micro 43rds camera
The autofocus on the micro 43rds is the fastest in the industry. The Olympus Micro 43rds are great, as well as the Lumix cameras.
Recommended cameras in micro 43rds:
3. Always keep your camera on your neck, wrist, or front pocket
This is my simple theory:
If you have your camera physically on you, you will see more photo opportunities, and you will shoot more.
There isn’t an ideal strap. I recommend experimenting with neck straps, shoulder (cross body) straps, wrist straps, or just have your camera small enough to fit in your front pocket (RICOH GR II or shoot with your phone).
Gunslinger always have their pistol strapped to their leg; perhaps we should do the same as a photographer?
Recommended HAPTIC STRAPS:
4. Just shoot it.
Better to take a bad photo than to shoot no photo.
Thus, if you see a scene that might even have a 1% chance of being a good photo,
JUST SHOOT IT.
And after you shoot it, “work the scene” and take many photos (30+ photos if possible).
5. Simple settings
If you don’t like complicated settings, keep it simple. I personally like program mode, or intelligent auto mode (Lumix).
Nobody cares whether you shot a photo fully manually or not.
Focus on interacting with your subjects, composing, and framing!
6. Practice often
If you don’t shoot often, it is easy to get rusty.
Grease the groove. Keep shooting, and never stop moving.
Remember the Publilius Syrus aphorism:
Shoot on!
ERIC