Shooting something boring is a challenge by itself
It sure is. It's fun to try to make the boring interesting just by framing it right.
taxi38
Taxi Driver
SausalitoDog
Well-known
A couple of years ago, I started using an iphone app - project 365 - and it has helped me in many ways. One of the main ones is forcing me to take a single photo every day. Some times it has to be of something very mundane and that is right in front of me all the time but I would never think of photographing it if I had more than 2 minutes till midnight or I miss my goal of a photo EVERY day.
If you try one of these apps (and stick to using it), you will find yourself viewing LIFE through a lens much quicker than you would without it. Sometimes you take the stupidest photo, but crop it wildly or distort it with processing or not... But you go through the day looking for some unique shot.
It' worth a shot The app I use is Project 365 Pro and I love it, but there are dozens of such apps for iphone and android - and, of course - Web sites to upload to for "non-phone photos" if you chose that. For me the phone is the perfect app - it's about THINKING photography, not shooting a perfect photo with a perfect camera. When you have some really great shots, you can go back and get your "real" camera and take it again.
Anyhow, I have fun with it and hope you might as well.
Cheers,
Tom
If you try one of these apps (and stick to using it), you will find yourself viewing LIFE through a lens much quicker than you would without it. Sometimes you take the stupidest photo, but crop it wildly or distort it with processing or not... But you go through the day looking for some unique shot.
It' worth a shot
The app I use is Project 365 Pro and I love it, but there are dozens of such apps for iphone and android - and, of course - Web sites to upload to for "non-phone photos" if you chose that. For me the phone is the perfect app - it's about THINKING photography, not shooting a perfect photo with a perfect camera. When you have some really great shots, you can go back and get your "real" camera and take it again.Anyhow, I have fun with it and hope you might as well.
Cheers,
Tom
aeturnum
Established
Some pictures require more work to setup, but in my experience that doesn't make the picture more or less interesting. However, I think the saying, "the harder you work, the luckier you are," applies. I see many images that I'm unable to capture. How many of those images are capturable is an open question. If nothing else, having to do setup gives you more time to consider your intent and how to portray it, but that can be a double edged sword that leaves you unable to appreciate an unexpected angle on the subject.
As for the, "I could have taken that," sentiment - it's entirely true. Once the camera is in position and set correctly, anyone can hit the shutter release - it takes no training. However, getting the camera to the right place at the right time and set correctly is the trick.
As for the, "I could have taken that," sentiment - it's entirely true. Once the camera is in position and set correctly, anyone can hit the shutter release - it takes no training. However, getting the camera to the right place at the right time and set correctly is the trick.
paulfish4570
Veteran
recognizing the light (or lack of it) that makes a photograph is the challenge for me. making the photo itself is no biggy ...
Bob Michaels
nobody special
I have a friend who is acknowledged by people who count to be a good photographer. He says he simply goes places that are interesting and shoots photos of people that look interesting. He uses what aperture and shutter speed he thinks is right. Nothing is a big deal to him, he says he just takes photos.
Please see his work here. (trust me, it it worthwhile)
He tells people that he does not do anything complicated. I have shot with him and can tell you that it is not complicated to him. But, it is not anything you would ever learn studying. It is partially something you can develop with years of shooting. And it is partially something that you either have or you do not.
Please see his work here. (trust me, it it worthwhile)
He tells people that he does not do anything complicated. I have shot with him and can tell you that it is not complicated to him. But, it is not anything you would ever learn studying. It is partially something you can develop with years of shooting. And it is partially something that you either have or you do not.
RichC
Well-known
Damn. I'll may as well just give up now...!
taxi38
Taxi Driver
terrific work Bob.
giellaleafapmu
Well-known
I bet people saying this have never worked in still life, products or food photography and seen how frustrating this can be.
You need to produce good images, you must do this, no matter what happens. Despite what many people believe unless you work at a very very high level you will have often less than perfect working condition, strict limitations of the time you can spend on location strict limitation on how you can alter what you need to shot and most of the time you will not be able to set everything perfectly in a studio and you will need to use your imagination and act fast.
You don't believe me? Try to make look great your next meal, or next time you buy something new try shooting it as if it was for advertising. You'll find it for yourself. If you keep going for a while you will also find that lenses matter little, cameras even less and that a good lighting technique, a eye for composition and depending on the specific subject something like a make-up artist are crucial.
If you try this, either as your personal exercise, as a job or somewhere between these (maybe some payed work side by side with another job, which is now very common) you will also be surprised at how much you will improve in every area of photography.
Ah, yes, I do shot "easy stuff", mostly food on location, sometimes other products.
GLF
You need to produce good images, you must do this, no matter what happens. Despite what many people believe unless you work at a very very high level you will have often less than perfect working condition, strict limitations of the time you can spend on location strict limitation on how you can alter what you need to shot and most of the time you will not be able to set everything perfectly in a studio and you will need to use your imagination and act fast.
You don't believe me? Try to make look great your next meal, or next time you buy something new try shooting it as if it was for advertising. You'll find it for yourself. If you keep going for a while you will also find that lenses matter little, cameras even less and that a good lighting technique, a eye for composition and depending on the specific subject something like a make-up artist are crucial.
If you try this, either as your personal exercise, as a job or somewhere between these (maybe some payed work side by side with another job, which is now very common) you will also be surprised at how much you will improve in every area of photography.
Ah, yes, I do shot "easy stuff", mostly food on location, sometimes other products.
GLF
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I've seen more than one people with that gift.
The ability to spot intriguing compositions seemingly out of thin air.
So I agree with Bob.
(Thanks for the *very* worthwhile link, Bob)
Why??
(unless you're joking) Excellent work like those are "nutrients" for your brain to synthesize.
You ought to feel invigorated and inspired for your next shoot.