OC_Shot_It

05/16/2026

When the sun dips below the horizon, most beginner photographers start cranking up their ISO or simply packing up their gear. They’re either fighting the darkness, trying to record a scene that the light no longer supports or just giving up on it altogether.
I took these quite some time ago at South Street Seaport. The sunset was beautiful and then these bikers showed up. They stood around talking at first and then the tricks started. The jumps and tricks against the beautiful backdrop of the sunset sky.
In that moment, I had a choice to make. A traditional action shot, frozen details, high shutter speed, pushed ISO. Nah that was a losing battle. The constraints were real.
But…as my philosophy dictates, awareness comes before settings. Before I even touched a dial, I stopped looking at what I was losing and started looking at what I had: a sick, glowing canvas of a sky. I quickly decided that I didn’t need detail. I needed drama and I chose silhouettes.
By purposely exposing for the sky, the bikers became the drama I needed. The distraction of clothing and faces disappeared, leaving just the raw movement against the city.
Next time you think you’re running out of light, don’t react. Look at what the light is actually doing, and work with that.
Don’t just record the scene. See it and interpret it differently.

05/08/2026

See NYC Differently.

“How do you capture a city this big?”
“There’s so much to see. It’s overwhelming.”
I hear these concerns from students I teach every week and photographers I work with. It’s a very valid concern. Between the skyscrapers, the relentless car and foot traffic, it’s constant sensory bombardment. It’s easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed.

With a city of this size and scale, the instinct is to try and capture it all. Usually, that’s when we lose the purpose and the soul of an image.

My advice to my students is always the same:

1. Put your camera down and start with awareness.
What are you looking at?
How do you feel about what you’re looking at?
How’s the light interacting with the scenery?
Find something that grounds your scenery and work from there.
Here’s a few things to look for in those grounding elements:

Reflections & Texture:
Using glass and puddles to create symmetry and pull beauty out of the shadows.

Repetition:
Letting the rhythm of balconies or windows create a pattern the eye can follow.

Start Small:
Focus on a spot. Look for shadows, texture and angles within that space.

The Anchor Point:
Using a fountain or the curve of the Bow Bridge to give the eye a place to start before it explores the rest of the environment or even a dominant color to focus the eyes in an image.

The city doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just requires you to find one thing that is true, and build the rest of the frame around it.

Which of these “anchors” do you struggle to find when you’re out shooting or what advice can you give that works? Let’s talk about it. Feel free to comment below.
Keep shooting!!

05/08/2026

Join me for my first ever “Tip Jar” class. Interested in attending just message me with “Tip Jar” and I’ll send you the link to book your spot!

01/14/2026

First class on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 10:00a.m. Composition class starting at Fulton Street station in Manhattan. Join me for a fun walk while we work on our composition skills. Go to the "Take Control" section and you will see the composition class.

Schedule a photography session with Ocie Clelland Photography. Capture your special moments today. Contact us to book your personalized photography experience.

01/13/2026

Good afternoon folks! Go sign up for my newsletter starting in February!!

11/19/2025

Slowing down is not always easy, but there are many gems to be found at a gentler pace. ~ Brittany Burgunder

11/17/2025

Autumn beauty at Fort Tryon Park.