How do you get out there when there is "nothing to photograph"

[RichC]

you don't need to go outside. I'd suggest doing what Josef Sudek did and photograph your home and what you see from within. http://www.artnet.com/artists/josef-sudek/

Yes, still life...

I set this up on my desk whilst waiting for a phone call - the light is from my computer screen!

 

[bmattock]

I would also recommend, for inspiration, studying some of the greats; for example Robert Frank's work in The Americans, much of which was photographed in rural America. Stephen Shore's and Joel Meyerowitz's classic work as well. And some of Garry Winogrand's work in rural areas or Western suburbia, taken in mostly deserted places with figures in interesting landscape compositions, sometimes even from the car, as well as his rural events photography (rodeos, stock fairs, etc.).

Or Eugene Meatyard. 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

I pick up a camera, load it with battery and card, or film as the case might be, pick a lens if I need to, and go out with it slung around me or in a bag. I go, wherever and however I go, looking at the world around me. Whether I see anything or not, I make an exposure or two every now and then.

I often don't look at the exposures at all for a while, either adding more to the card or filling the roll of film in subsequent sessions until the uninspired time ebbs, or I get the whim to see what's on the camera. Then I look and explore what I caught.

Most of the time, most exposures are just junk, but every so often there are a couple that catch my interest. I then think about them: what was interesting? Should I take more like that? Should I go back there and shoot more of the same? Was there something else that I remember about that subject that I might go back to with some different equipment, a tripod, a different time of day, different weather or sun? Et cetera.

Finding inspiration is the much harder part of photography than the acquisition of technical skill, and certainly a lot harder than buying pretty toys/new equipment. 😀

G

 

[Godfrey]

Yes, still life...

I set this up on my desk whilst waiting for a phone call - the light is from my computer screen!

Nice still life. Too bad about that ugly cigarette.

 

[RichC]

Nice still life. Too bad about that ugly cigarette.

Just a prop - gave up smoking years ago!

One of the things I like doing - and might be something for the OP to consider - is taking (or setting up in this case) photographs that have a narrative. Here, the battered camera and the cigarette have a story to tell - what and from when, who knows...

 

[olifaunt]

I have been struggling for several weeks to fill even one roll, mainly because of dreary weather, but also on the two or three sunny days we've had in the last three months I also couldn't find any inspiration in my surroundings. I try to make the lost time count by studying the work of good photographers. I got hold of some great books on Winogrand, Frank, Meyerowitz, that I really enjoy.

However, the more I learn about what is really interesting, the less I am inclined to press the shutter on uninteresting subject matter, so I find myself doing less photography overall. Hopefully, though, the end result will be better photos. But yes, I really don't see myself doing much street photography here; I think for plentiful people photography you really have to travel to where there are plenty of people.

 

[jsrockit]

A lot of good advice here... But another alternative is this book...

https://aperture.org/shop/the-photographer-s-playbook-books

A lot will seem silly, but even if one idea works... You are good to go.

 

[jsrockit]

Yes, still life...

I set this up on my desk whilst waiting for a phone call - the light is from my computer screen!

Beautiful actually...

I'm saving still life for when I can't get out in the streets as much... 😉

 

[BillBingham2]

Growing up in a place that had 18% gray skies over 50% of the year, I've come to the realization that it's lighting.

I'd pick a day with some (more is better) sun shine and start walking. Different directions every so often, different times of the day. Drive to a new part of town and walk.

The key to me is the lighting, don't go out to shoot on an 18% gray sky day. Go out and scout. Look and think about what time of day might that spot be better.

B2 (;->

 

[charjohncarter]

This woman shot 'her area' during the summer with a 4x5 and a TLR (120). She found something to shoot using to me difficult cameras to use:

Christine Osinski:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi8W93aJG_U

 

[RichC]

Growing up in a place that had 18% gray skies over 50% of the year, I've come to the realization that it's lighting.

I'd pick a day with some (more is better) sun shine and start walking. Different directions every so often, different times of the day. Drive to a new part of town and walk.

The key to me is the lighting, don't go out to shoot on an 18% gray sky day. Go out and scout. Look and think about what time of day might that spot be better.

B2 (;->

Or try the opposite and shoot on dull, grey days! Really, it's all about imagination and visualising the possibilities whatever the lighting (I'm not a great fan of photographing when it's really hot or really cold, though!)

I've spent the last few years photographing London's lost River Fleet only on overcast days with no sun, mostly in autumn and winter.

Days with no sun make the sky act like a giant softbox, lowering contrast and allowing subtle tones to be caught.

Regent's Canal, London, built over the former course of the River Fleet:

 

[olifaunt]

Or try the opposite and shoot on dull, grey days! Really, it's all about imagination and visualising the possibilities whatever the lighting (I'm not a great fan of photographing when it's really hot or really cold, though!)

I've spent the last few years photographing London's lost River Fleet only on overcast days with no sun, mostly in autumn and winter.

Days with no sun make the sky act like a giant softbox, lowering contrast and allowing subtle tones to be caught.

Beautiful image. Good advice for landscapes, yes, but this doesn't work too well for street photography of moving subjects with slower color film.

This thread inspired me to give up trying to finish my roll of Portra and load some Tri-X that I'm pushing to 1200. Hopefully that will get me out shooting again despite the dreary weather.

 

[BillBingham2]

Or try the opposite and shoot on dull, grey days! Really, it's all about imagination and visualising the possibilities whatever the lighting (I'm not a great fan of photographing when it's really hot or really cold, though!)

I've spent the last few years photographing London's lost River Fleet only on overcast days with no sun, mostly in autumn and winter.

Days with no sun make the sky act like a giant softbox, lowering contrast and allowing subtle tones to be caught.

Regent's Canal, London, built over the former course of the River Fleet:

Good point, it really doesn't matter, just need to look around and see what your eye is drawn to.

Too many 18% gray sky days of old, here in Central Iowa those sort of days are the exception.

B2 (;->

 

[bucs]

go shooting with a friend.

 

[aizan]

I keep a running list of interesting topics on my phone. Never a dull moment with a backlog of things to do, and only a portion that depends on the weather!

 

[Steve M.]

If outside is not happening, shoot inside. If inside is not happening, shoot outside. If where you live is not happening, try somewhere else. But there is always something happening somewhere.

Personally, I wouldn't live in Maine during the winter, period. I tried living in Portland, Or and got very depressed during the winter looking at the constant gray skies, lousy light and constant rain. Moved to New Mexico and couldn't be happier. Even in winter the air is crystal clear and we have plenty of sun. It's a known fact that SAD happens in climates like yours.

There's always a shot somewhere if you look.

 

[peterm1]

An alternative suggestion is to spend some time trawling your archives to find any overlooked images that might benefit from a fresh perspective and fresh processing; also you might find some project themes that suggest themselves in the process...

Lynn. Yes I often do your first suggestion. It's amazing how often images turn up which, when looked at with a fresh eye, yield something interesting and useful. In fact I have been doing this over the past few days and found several from a Hong Kong trip and one to Melbourne that I lay unloved on my computer but which came up trumps when I relooked at them and rethought how they might be used.

 

[olifaunt]

If outside is not happening, shoot inside. If inside is not happening, shoot outside. If where you live is not happening, try somewhere else. But there is always something happening somewhere.

Personally, I wouldn't live in Maine during the winter, period. I tried living in Portland, Or and got very depressed during the winter looking at the constant gray skies, lousy light and constant rain.

Actually, though I would also rather live in the Southwest, much of Maine is very bright and sunny most of the winter. Very cold, but these bright winters can help prevent SAD. Fall is also normally bright but this year has been an exception. The Pacific Northwest, now that hardcore dark, no offense to those who live there, I lift my hat to anyone who can endure it.

 

[Bill Clark]

I don’t know much about you.

At my stage of life, I photograph people and places I visit.

I’ve found photography is mostly a single sport. Not a team sport.

I can go visit our extended family, grand children and get lost, try to blend into the background as they live, move about, do things. It’s fun to watch them! And then click the shutter.

I’ve got lots of examples of this.

Think about your own life. What’s going on?

I saw on Facebook the other day, a photo of Al Kaplan. He was an interesting gent living in Florida, taking his camera, just like he would take his arms and legs, the camera became a part of him.

Examine your own life. Maybe find a group or mentor to ignite a spark with you. But then it’s up to you to make the spark turn into something. Burn baby burn and light up the world around you and make photographs!

Smiles!

 

[Mackinaw]

I live in northern Michigan, smack dab in the middle of the Lake Michigan lake-effect snowbelt. When the snows starts, normally after Thanksgiving, I often take a break from my photography. I’ve dabble in acrylics and will spend my time painting. I also putz around on the piano. And, if in the mood, I’ll take some pictures. All kind of ways for me to stay artistic and creative.

Jim B.