I am doing the 365 as a project for myself, so often the picture I post is the one that sums up the day, so I can look back and remember the year. Having said that, I am always touched & encouraged when people take the time to comment, or even 'add as a fav'.
I live in a working class town, where walking around with a small camera is regarded with suspicion. At the moment most of my photos are coming from within my garden, but I wondered (and yes a question IS coming after this ramble)...... is it easier to take good photos if you live in a beautiful place?
No I definetely don´t think so. I find the most interesting photos to be the ones that tells a story. And I´m sure there are lots of stories to be told where you live. You just need to look out for them and work up the courage to bring out the camera, when they show up (that I find to be the hard part ;-))
I agree with Christine. It's the story behind the picture that usually tickles people's interest. Anything can be a great picture, even the most mundane simplest things.
Some of the places you'd least want to go with your expensive camera can often be the location for interesting photos...
On one occasion whilst staying the night at a hotel in an unfamiliar (UK) city, I ventured out with my camera during the mid evening (10pm-ish). I was spotted by a group of youths in a car, who decided they wanted my camera (I assume). Luckily they were on the other side of a dual carriageway & they had to go up to a roundabout & back to get to me. I just had time to run back to the hotel door by the time they got to where I was. A bit too close for comfort! Definitely a lesson learnt by this country boy!
At 6'2" & nearly 15 stone (210lbs), I'm not the most obvious target for mugging.
Sometimes, this episode taught me, the photo's not worth the risk.
Right nowI live in a pretty town with tons of green and lakes and waterfalls, but somehow is same old same old, not much new to be inspired by, so I wish I was still living in Bogota, Colombia to be able to take pictures of the city (good and bad neighborhoods) and then travel one hours and take pictures of lakes and mountais.
It is more pleasurable perhaps to take pictures in a beautiful place. However, I have found that I have to work on my composition no matter where I am. If I take a picture of a beautiful subject with bad composition, the subject is not as pretty. I like it best when I leave the viewer thinking or if there is some kind of story behind the shot. This seems to make the shot more interesting.
It's funny, I often feel envious of people with small children, as they take gorgeous pics of bubbling, happy, cherub little smiles, and I have no little ones to photograph, so I must find my photo ops elsewhere. Then, I saw people posting gorgeous photos in beautiful countries like Thailand, Paris, Africa, and here I am in Philadelphia. But, I believe that if you have an artistic eye, you can photograph a brown paper bag and it will look good. Keep going and don't worry so much. I am always in search of that 'spectacular' shot, and I often fall short of my goal and feel disappointed. The other day, I just realized simply that I just need to photograph what makes me happy, and that's where the true beauty lies. Good luck!
i know that, as a follower i like to follow people who live in a certain place/take photos of a certain place.
so i'm following quite a few people in australia/america/spain etc as i like to see where they're living and feel jealous that i'm not there!
I thought so too but most of my pictures are taken within a 5 mile radius of my home. I am a firm believer that a picture is always right in front of us. We just need to open our mind to it. Besides you have a great opportunity to really make your working town shine, in pictures. If the people there know you are photographing it, you may find opportunities become open to you and so will the photographs.
@angbell088 there are plenty of good photo ops in philly. go down to independence hall or the liberty bell. go spend the day on south street. or down to the piers. or take shots of one of the bridges.
im so antsy to get over there again (im right across the bridge in jersey) but i just cant make the time.
to answer the original question, i believe that you can find beauty all around you as long as you are open to it. if you go around thinking that you cant find a beautiful shot in your own back yard, you wont.
@daffodill The key is more of what do you want to photo. I do love architecture, but sometimes the details of a building or a glimmer of something odd. I also am loosely assigning myself themes that force me to be more creative. Also if you feel uncomofortable make a little print out for the person who questions you taking pictures that you are doing the 365 project to develop your skills and to not be disrespectful in anyway. Who knows, you may peak someones interest in photography,
Here is a photo of mine walking down an alley.
@genesislomax@angbell088 I live in Center City and there are loads of of places. There are also two people in the western part of the Delaware Valley. We should get together for a walking photo trip.
Small working class town + camera = suspicion. I can see that. However, if you're not breaking any laws, appear friendly and cheerful you might be surprised to see how quickly you can turn suspicion into curiosity. I've been known to knock on a door of a home to request permission to photograph a house or a barn. Got some pretty interesting responses, most good. Having my iphone handy allows me an opportunity to show what type of picture I take of houses and once folks see what I'm doing...well.
Photograph what interests YOU. Photograph in your comfort zone. Buddy up and go on photo excursions! Be a tourist in your own town! Have fun!
I find it harder to get inspired locally, just because I'm so used to seeing everything. I live in a beautiful place, but sometimes I think I don't always see it. When I started the project I spent two weeks in England and every two steps there was something amazing that I wanted to photograph, mostly because it was "new" to me. My husband and his family (who live there) couldn't understand why I was so impressed because to them it was ho hum, everyday stuff. The secret is to have fresh eyes, even on the same old subjects! I need to remember that more often.
I live in one of the most beautiful towns of my country and work in a beautiful and quite interesting city. I am never short of photo opportunities but then again I just don't always want to take a shot of another centuries old building or picturesque looking street. I almost always try to get a shot with a twist - otherwise I'd end up with 365 postcard like pictures.
So yes, I'd agree it's easier to live somewhere beautiful but it's not enough for an interesting project.
I spend my life on the road with my job - which on days if I have a only a couple of meetings means I can get out and explore new places some of which are quite interesting - however, most days, I get up in the dark, sit in a car for 2-3 hrs, sit in a client office until dark and venture to a hotel or sit in a car for 2-3hrs home again. I strugle some days to get a shot - but i've taken to looking at "normal" everyday items in a new way - some of which give great shots! I've also realised though this project that "beautiful" scenes also don't appeal to everyone either!
There is always more of a creative challenge in making something from what could be considered 'nothing.' That goes for location, too. Geography may be a given, but perspective is your choice!
" ... if you have an artistic eye, you can photograph a brown paper bag and it will look good."
Think of 365 as a way of looking at everyday things differently. You may post a picture of your street. To you it's nothing but to someone else they actually find it pretty/inspiring/provoking.
I live in a beautiful area on a sea loch and I have a few photos of the area and some nice sunrises, but most are in the house or in the garden, or in the botanic garden (so far).
I'd have to say 'no' to your original question. I live on a decommissioned American air base in North Oxfordshire....and have been confined to home for just over a week....so I had to make the best of what I've got. Its not pretty here! Helps with getting your 'eye in' if you are stuck in one place for a long period. I thought I had done my garden to death, but still managed to pull a few new angles out. :)
I used to think yes. When I lived in Maine, USA, I was inspired almost every time I left my house. Cute houses, boats, trees, lighthouses, the ocean...Now I live in Nebraska, USA. I used to think BORING! However, I am forcing myself to find the beauty of the Midwest and it is there. I think it's harder in some places to find the artistic shots, but it is there.
Thank you all for your comments. i think I have cabin fever at the moment! Am expecting visitors next weekend and trying to catch up with about 6 months of housework, from having spent too long behind a camera or in front of a computer screen!
@josamz - yes I love to try and make something interesting out of the mundane, but I am hankering after being able to go out & visit somewhere different, somewhere more beautiful!! I want to take sunset silhouettes, mountains & fields....I know the time will come, I am just feeling impatient at the self imposed restrictions I currently find myself facing!
I love the project, and it has made me become more inventive. I took loads of photos before, now I take even more! My daughter often sighs deeply and says
"She's taking photos again. Unbelievable!"
Now - I am looking forward to loads of urban scenes & photos of brown paper bags :)
Thanks everyone, I do feel more inspired now! :)
My wish is to show the beauty I can find in the most simple, even boring, neighborhood I live in. Most of my pictures are taken in my walks near my home, with a radius of 2 km.
Also, I am not sure a good photo is necessarily a beautiful photo. I prefer interesting, rich, meaningful, emotional pictures to mere beautiful, stylish pictures or technically very neat and skilled. I like pictures of beautiful landscapes and flowers but usually they are not the ones that really touch me.
A photo is wha you make it..... I think you can make a photo out of anything, you dont have to live in a pretty place to take a photo. Alot of the pics i have taken are in and around home and work as this is where i spend most of my days.
Not necessarily.
Perhaps it is about trying to learn to see differently.
Try looking for all one type of picture for one day or a week..ie shapes, or colours or numbers. then perhaps try black and white images for a day or a week......
Good luck and I look forward to seeing some of your images.
This is what it looks like round where I live.. I took this today, and in my opinion this = insanely boring.
I much prefer photos like this, where they subject has some kind of history, or meaning behind it, and looks like it could be a really interesting place. :)
@daffodill - Norfolk is stupidly flat :( which is why it is nice to look at other people's photos of where they live, especially if there are mountains and stuff there, because we just don't have them anywhere around here :(
Also, I am now following @islander , because that photo is awesome :D thanks for sharing that!
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But then you got @deliriousoul creating images like this
So I guess not
On one occasion whilst staying the night at a hotel in an unfamiliar (UK) city, I ventured out with my camera during the mid evening (10pm-ish). I was spotted by a group of youths in a car, who decided they wanted my camera (I assume). Luckily they were on the other side of a dual carriageway & they had to go up to a roundabout & back to get to me. I just had time to run back to the hotel door by the time they got to where I was. A bit too close for comfort! Definitely a lesson learnt by this country boy!
At 6'2" & nearly 15 stone (210lbs), I'm not the most obvious target for mugging.
Sometimes, this episode taught me, the photo's not worth the risk.
so i'm following quite a few people in australia/america/spain etc as i like to see where they're living and feel jealous that i'm not there!
im so antsy to get over there again (im right across the bridge in jersey) but i just cant make the time.
to answer the original question, i believe that you can find beauty all around you as long as you are open to it. if you go around thinking that you cant find a beautiful shot in your own back yard, you wont.
Here is a photo of mine walking down an alley.
@genesislomax @angbell088 I live in Center City and there are loads of of places. There are also two people in the western part of the Delaware Valley. We should get together for a walking photo trip.
Photograph what interests YOU. Photograph in your comfort zone. Buddy up and go on photo excursions! Be a tourist in your own town! Have fun!
So yes, I'd agree it's easier to live somewhere beautiful but it's not enough for an interesting project.
" ... if you have an artistic eye, you can photograph a brown paper bag and it will look good."
Think of 365 as a way of looking at everyday things differently. You may post a picture of your street. To you it's nothing but to someone else they actually find it pretty/inspiring/provoking.
@josamz - yes I love to try and make something interesting out of the mundane, but I am hankering after being able to go out & visit somewhere different, somewhere more beautiful!! I want to take sunset silhouettes, mountains & fields....I know the time will come, I am just feeling impatient at the self imposed restrictions I currently find myself facing!
I love the project, and it has made me become more inventive. I took loads of photos before, now I take even more! My daughter often sighs deeply and says
"She's taking photos again. Unbelievable!"
Now - I am looking forward to loads of urban scenes & photos of brown paper bags :)
Thanks everyone, I do feel more inspired now! :)
My wish is to show the beauty I can find in the most simple, even boring, neighborhood I live in. Most of my pictures are taken in my walks near my home, with a radius of 2 km.
Also, I am not sure a good photo is necessarily a beautiful photo. I prefer interesting, rich, meaningful, emotional pictures to mere beautiful, stylish pictures or technically very neat and skilled. I like pictures of beautiful landscapes and flowers but usually they are not the ones that really touch me.
Perhaps it is about trying to learn to see differently.
Try looking for all one type of picture for one day or a week..ie shapes, or colours or numbers. then perhaps try black and white images for a day or a week......
Good luck and I look forward to seeing some of your images.
This is what it looks like round where I live.. I took this today, and in my opinion this = insanely boring.
I much prefer photos like this, where they subject has some kind of history, or meaning behind it, and looks like it could be a really interesting place. :)
It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
a href="http://365project.org/islander/365/2011-01-20">
@katiegc24 erm it is rather flat isn't it! :)
Yes, interesting doorway, or lack of!
Also, I am now following @islander , because that photo is awesome :D thanks for sharing that!