Photos and story by Photo Editor Danny Fulgencio

Pool season is upon us, which got me thinking about these photos I made last April at the Town North YMCA.

The difference between the two photos shown is obvious: one bears the frenetic action of multiple swimmers while the other renders a solitary moment for a single pool-goer. Similar angles. Similar subjects. Dissimilar moods.

Both photos were made within 45 seconds of one another.

Point being, unorchestrated situations, especially when photographing groups of moving people, create a constantly changing frame of visual and emotional tonality. In other words, being patient can reveal all manner of curiosity. It’s just a matter of framing the shot and waiting (and sometimes waiting, and waiting, and waiting).

Let it be known that the aforementioned 45-second delay between two photos is less than an eye blink for those wildlife photographers perched for weeks or months over the Serengeti in wait of the shot. Now that’s patience.

So the next time you’re out shooting and find a developing scene with a compelling backdrop, don’t be afraid to be patient. You may be surprised at how your photos can communicate very different ideas within just a few seconds.

Scene from the Town North YMCA in Dallas, Texas on April 17, 2012

Scene from the Town North YMCA in Dallas, Texas on April 17, 2012

Town North YMCA in Dallas.

Town North YMCA in Dallas