Trying hard to be inspired to take some shots. I primarily like to take outdoor shots, and living in the city, this time of year, makes me wish I waited to start my project in the spring. Even when we get a few hours of sun, I've been uninspired.
Any suggestions or advice, from others who are ensconced in this never ending gray March?
@skpinny I'm sure you'll get loads of inspiration just by browsing through albums on here. Perhaps start with the browse tab above.... always a great starting point.
1 - do some indoor set up shots... this is something i sucked at forever at the beginning, but after lots and lots of craptastic messes, i have figured out the ingredients that will make it work for me more often than not ;p
2 - go underground - you don't say where you live, but in lots of cities there will be a whole underground city to play in - subways, malls, parking garages, underground pathways, etc...
3 - it's miserable to wander around in sucky weather, but if you can think of something you want to shoot, go there and do it and come home, it's much easier :) like Janine said - use those gray skies!
4 - participate in one or more of the various themes and challenges... it will make you think about what to shoot and come up with a plan for making it work
Coleen, these are cool! I need to start experimenting, and not get discouraged. Thank you. I should pull out my notes from a photography class I took a few years ago.
I looked through some of the challenges and tried a couple. I also like to take photos of "ordinary" junk, then have fun editing it to make it look cool. I'm just starting to learn about editing, so it's fun to try all kinds of effects, etc. I have a lot to learn, but at this point, I'm just doing the 365 project for myself and to have fun. That way there's no pressure. :)
Inspiration, like love, always seems to find us, when we stop looking. But once found, rarely goes away. So find something that has inspired you in the past....a book, a movie, a location, a piece of art, even a song....and capture it.
We have a saying in Sweden, there is no bad weather only bad clothes. Invest in some thermals, a hat gloves and some good boots and explore the outside. Dull days outside can produce some cool shots. Most of the shots in my water and ice album are dull day shots. If i didn't go outside on dull days i would spent five months of the year inside :-)
@skpinny I sympathise! Have you tried shooting at different times of day..? Night-time when it's damp and the lights reflect can look super, as can shots of traffic in the dark, light trails etc. Alternative, buy yourself a big bunch of cheery flowers and take some shots of those :)
Clearly you have the winter blues. I totally agree with Boo about having the right clothes so that you are totally comfortable outside. When I am in major airports in the USA I can spot people walking around that are going to get on the plane with me to go to Alaska. There is nothing about fashion and it is all about being practical. Your camera lens will actually guide you through the blues. Your camera will teach you that there is nothing blah about winter. I noticed that you have a D90 and you don't need to baby it. Walk down the street and take a hundred shots in an hour. Think about technique rather than composition. Your right brain will steer you toward art and creativity without your even knowing it.
In the end winter won't seem like such a drag. Now get out there are fire away, i.e. get off the comfortable couch.
@mej2011 Really? Interesting... I don't have many here out my window in NYC, but I do get pigeons on my sill sometimes. Birds are a good idea, I can look in the park, thanks!
@huvesaker Boo, thanks for reminding me of this! I am Swedish too, and when we visit Sweden, I don't let the weather get me down, just plod along. I need to adopt that attitude for NYC.
@jonfrank Jon, thanks. This is good advice. Funny, what I just said to Boo about Sweden, can say the same to you. We also visit AK often, and I don't let the weather get me down there, I just see the beauty everywhere. I think now it's more my location than the weather maybe... I am inspired to go out and just shoot, thanks.
You should be able to find something to photograph no matter the time of day or season. It's times like this that can push you into trying new things. So, stop worrying about what you can't do and focus on what you can do. Once you do this, you will never again have an issue with having no photo opportunities. There is always one right in front of you.
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2 - go underground - you don't say where you live, but in lots of cities there will be a whole underground city to play in - subways, malls, parking garages, underground pathways, etc...
3 - it's miserable to wander around in sucky weather, but if you can think of something you want to shoot, go there and do it and come home, it's much easier :) like Janine said - use those gray skies!
4 - participate in one or more of the various themes and challenges... it will make you think about what to shoot and come up with a plan for making it work
:)
With fout feet of snow covering everything here I have gone to trying some high key and low key photos
It doesn't seem like it, but spring will come! Enjoy finding something that inspires you!
In the end winter won't seem like such a drag. Now get out there are fire away, i.e. get off the comfortable couch.