Asking for an inspiration, both pictorial and/or textual

[kmerenkov]

Hi all.

I'm facing a problem when I really want to take photos but I can't see anything.
Since recently I am hanging out with my old friends who are into airsoft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft), and I'm spending time in a forest with them, while they prepare combat location (building stuff, digging ground, etc).

When I am thinking of upcoming photos (which I have yet to take, or not), it's like:
- men in camouflage with shovels
- men around campfire in camouflage
- men around cooking pot in camouflage
- leaves on background (a lot of small distracting details - since it is a forest - if not wide open)

I can't justify any of this for me. Like, "so what" kind of pictures.
I haven't taken photos since May, but I didn't have such a decay in my head back than.

I know that some of you took photos of battles reproductions etc. I've seen photos where people are in action. What about camp photos? What about camp photos not about military but, well, just camp photos?

Seems like my mind has narrowed and I need to see something relevant in order to warm it up 🙂


Thank you beforehand!

 

[surfer dude]

Hi kmerenkov,

Why not try to use that raw material to your advantage? Plan and execute a photojournalistic story about your group of friends who have become immersed in this new activity? It may be of interest to a local newspaper, or perhaps to a magazine about airsoft or guns or strategy/role playing games.

And if not of interest to the circulation media, how about printing up the 20 or so photos that you think best illustrate a mood or feeling about how it captures your friends and mounting an exhibition - even at the airsoft club or in a local library or town hall?

That would give your photography a goal and I'm sure that from there you will come up with alternative things that you'd want to pursue photographically.

Good luck!

 

[BillBingham2]

Kmerenkov,

While not RF in any way I would look for angles, shadows (hoping sunny day), patterns and such but close ups. High quality digital P&S would be my preference. An eye focusing on the rear part of open sights. Fingers loading a clip with those tinny little pain inducers (my sons played for a while, stupid yellow 6mm plastic BBs all over the house). Tactical shots from high up in the trees of people planning.

Look for lines and shaddows and drama.

Hope this helps and remember EYE PROTECTION!!!!

Be safe and have fun.

B2 (;->

 

[antiquark]

Take a look at the flickr popular pictures of "airsoft"
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=airsoft&ss=2&s=int

It seems that the most interesting ones are either posed portrait shots, or equipment closeups. I figure the action and other non-posed scenes are hard to capture, due to everyone blending into the foliage. With this in mind, maybe bring a portrait lens and something capable of closeups (macro lens?)

Another alternative is to just leave the camera at home. When you don't feel like taking a picture, no problem with that! 😎

 

[kmerenkov]

Thank you guys!
Flickr is no help since, well, it all looks like from magazine, glamorous, nothing diary-like 🙂

I will try to document the hell out of there.
I don't think that exhibition would work. Maybe if I spend a lot of time with friends (not just few weekends) I will have enough of material to compose few albums and, well... share them with guys from there. Maybe not 🙂

Yes, digital p&s would help (I have none). My M6 cannot change iso quickly and shutter speed range is too narrow too. That's fine until you happen somewhere you don't know what conditions are like (sunny + open field / gloomy + open field / forest). M9 or x100 would be more suitable 🙂

Okay, we will see what happens this weekend.

 

[oftheherd]

You seem reluctant to photograph camp activities as if they are not realisitic. If so, that is not so. In real life, battles don't rage for days at a time. There is much down time for sleeping, cleaning equipment, resting, and yes, trying to fix something other than the military provided rations. Documenting that is worth while.

 

[shadowfox]

I'd get a tough/weatherproof/digital P&S (Olympus or Pentax), or if you want to go authentic, Nikon F and a bunch of Tri-X 🙂

Shoot closeups of expressions (body or face), low angle shots of activities, and off the hip shots.

Work on a theme, what do you want to convey in your "diary" is it survival? toughness? fun?