benlees
Well-known
Pretty much totally agree...
I get new ideas from working the old ideas, if that makes any sense.
I get new ideas from working the old ideas, if that makes any sense.
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I Wish I had Such Great Subjects to Photograph
- Thread starter Chriscrawfordphoto
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charjohncarter
Veteran
I know what you are talking about. I live in a suburb and the sameness of the area makes it seem sterile. But I know there is still something here.
This is from the city I worked in, lots more interesting:
found slides by John Carter, on Flickr
This is from the city I worked in, lots more interesting:
found slides by John Carter, on Flickr
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
John, have you ever seen "Suburbia," by photographer Bill Owens? He photographed suburbs in California in the early 70s.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
“I wish I had such great subjects to photograph”
That thought has probably crossed everyone’s mind at some point, and Chris’s thoughts on the subject are to the point. No matter where you are, it’s a matter of seeing what’s right in front of you, or being able to put yourself in the frame of mind where you can see it either for what it is, or for what it might be seen to be if framed in a completely different way. This latter option is what George H.W. Bush called “the vision thing.” That’s the hard part.
I live in an area that is one of the most photographed in the world, next to Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP. People come here from all over the world every year by the thousands, taking pictures by the millions, and mostly it’s the same 20 pictures over and over again. The Moulton barn with the Tetons in the background. The Moulton barn with the Tetons in the background at sunrise. Or, at sunrise with a side of buffalo. Or at sunrise with buffalo and snow. The Grand Prismatic pool in Yellowstone. The Snake River Overlook from the same spot Ansel Adams took his shot. (Which is really frustrating because the trees are vastly higher since then and Adams’ photo can never again be duplicated. ) (And what’s the point of duplicating it anyway?)
So, those are “great subjects to photograph” and everyone knows it. They are all screaming to be photographed, but as Winogrand’s normal, terse one sentence negative review of student photographs goes, “It’s been done.”
It’s what makes landscape photography here so frustrating for someone who wants to be better. The great subjects abound, but “it’s been done”. It’s only being able to see it in a different way that’s going to be meaningful at this point. Which isn’t easy.
Chris is right, it’s not the subjects, great or small, as some would consider homes and storefronts in small Indiana towns. It’s the ability to come up with a different way to see or present those subjects, a way that might make others see them differently, or for the first time. It might be a story, or it might not be a story at all, but just the interplay of light and form. The vision thing. As Weston showed, it could be something as simple as an onion cut in half. The quotidian objects of life. They’re everywhere. And most people don’t really see them.
That thought has probably crossed everyone’s mind at some point, and Chris’s thoughts on the subject are to the point. No matter where you are, it’s a matter of seeing what’s right in front of you, or being able to put yourself in the frame of mind where you can see it either for what it is, or for what it might be seen to be if framed in a completely different way. This latter option is what George H.W. Bush called “the vision thing.” That’s the hard part.
I live in an area that is one of the most photographed in the world, next to Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP. People come here from all over the world every year by the thousands, taking pictures by the millions, and mostly it’s the same 20 pictures over and over again. The Moulton barn with the Tetons in the background. The Moulton barn with the Tetons in the background at sunrise. Or, at sunrise with a side of buffalo. Or at sunrise with buffalo and snow. The Grand Prismatic pool in Yellowstone. The Snake River Overlook from the same spot Ansel Adams took his shot. (Which is really frustrating because the trees are vastly higher since then and Adams’ photo can never again be duplicated. ) (And what’s the point of duplicating it anyway?)
So, those are “great subjects to photograph” and everyone knows it. They are all screaming to be photographed, but as Winogrand’s normal, terse one sentence negative review of student photographs goes, “It’s been done.”
It’s what makes landscape photography here so frustrating for someone who wants to be better. The great subjects abound, but “it’s been done”. It’s only being able to see it in a different way that’s going to be meaningful at this point. Which isn’t easy.
Chris is right, it’s not the subjects, great or small, as some would consider homes and storefronts in small Indiana towns. It’s the ability to come up with a different way to see or present those subjects, a way that might make others see them differently, or for the first time. It might be a story, or it might not be a story at all, but just the interplay of light and form. The vision thing. As Weston showed, it could be something as simple as an onion cut in half. The quotidian objects of life. They’re everywhere. And most people don’t really see them.
ChipMcD
Well-known
I don't put myself in the same class as many here, but I have had what I consider good success both with shooting in my patch of the world, which I have a lot of affection for, but also at travel destinations (including one in Indiana, south of where Chris is). I do admit that I have sometimes had better success when revisiting "interesting places" for the second, third or eighteenth time. e.g. New York City. So there is merit to the notion that you may be more productive in environments that you know and love.
markjwyatt
Well-known
I agree with Chris and Larry Cloetta. I would add that it is unfair to say "it was already done". For instance, Ansel Adam's Moon Over Half Dome is a great shot, but I am sure many 19th century painters (or even earlier) also captured great images of Half Dome. No one says "it was already done"! I have been criticized for showing an image of the Golden Gate Bridge. I understand they are a dime a dozen, and it has been done. My favorite (I won't display it, but it is here if you are curious) was taken with a late 1930s 6X9 Ihagee folder with a CJZ Tessar on Tri-X. I am not even sure it is unique because the vantage point is on a turn-off of a well travelled road, but I like it. But I also agree that there are may other aspects of San Francisco and other areas that can be unique and are probably unexplored artistically, and we should strive for some unique work also.
chipgreenberg
Well-known
Chris thanks for the interesting thread. I always look forward to your images and enjoy your thoughts.
First, I think when somebody says," "I wish I had some of the great subjects you are finding in your area" they are really saying, "I wish I was a better photographer."
They haven't developed the (for me) Zen like approach Helen describes:
"One just needs to let go, watch where the ‘Eye’ directs You, let the moment talk to you in visual then just click the shutter "
I am very selfish and do photography just for me, not to tell the world a story. (though I understand your thoughts on the audience here) Even when photography paid the bills I think I photographed (mostly, not every job obviously) for me. If clients liked what I did they hired me, if not they went elsewhere. The fact that I "got off" putting sexy highlights on a Conair hairdryer to emphasize "her" curves was more about me than the client. I guess the story is, hairdryers can be sexy too.
I also agree with Larry. For me pretty has always been part of it. I allow was thinking of Weston's peppers. Were they sitting on his counter when he "saw" them? Were they moved? Does it matter?
BTW great line Larry: "Photography is a big house with many rooms. In some of the rooms a sense of quiet beauty prevails and talking is absent."
I was in a photo gallery in Albuquerque Old town over the winter. I had my camera and the young lady working came over and we were talking. She asked me what I photographed. I thought for a minute and said I try to photograph ordinary things in extraordinary light. I shoot color so the color palette is important to me as is the framing and design.
So I do better in ordinary places, not the Grand Canyon. Maybe a good response to the lack of subjects comment would be, "Once you work on your vision you will find subject everywhere."
First, I think when somebody says," "I wish I had some of the great subjects you are finding in your area" they are really saying, "I wish I was a better photographer."
They haven't developed the (for me) Zen like approach Helen describes:
"One just needs to let go, watch where the ‘Eye’ directs You, let the moment talk to you in visual then just click the shutter "
I am very selfish and do photography just for me, not to tell the world a story. (though I understand your thoughts on the audience here) Even when photography paid the bills I think I photographed (mostly, not every job obviously) for me. If clients liked what I did they hired me, if not they went elsewhere. The fact that I "got off" putting sexy highlights on a Conair hairdryer to emphasize "her" curves was more about me than the client. I guess the story is, hairdryers can be sexy too.
I also agree with Larry. For me pretty has always been part of it. I allow was thinking of Weston's peppers. Were they sitting on his counter when he "saw" them? Were they moved? Does it matter?
BTW great line Larry: "Photography is a big house with many rooms. In some of the rooms a sense of quiet beauty prevails and talking is absent."
I was in a photo gallery in Albuquerque Old town over the winter. I had my camera and the young lady working came over and we were talking. She asked me what I photographed. I thought for a minute and said I try to photograph ordinary things in extraordinary light. I shoot color so the color palette is important to me as is the framing and design.
So I do better in ordinary places, not the Grand Canyon. Maybe a good response to the lack of subjects comment would be, "Once you work on your vision you will find subject everywhere."
charjohncarter
Veteran
Yes, I have I met him but not through photography. He owned a lunch joint and brewery in the town I worked in so I saw him every couple of weeks. He did some crazy stuff with a Sony Mavica and some wide angle fixed lens camera (maybe a Bower???) Wrong this is it: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/brooks-plaubel-veriwide-100-8-47mm-1821642076
Thanks for the link, I've seen it but it is fun to go through it again.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Andy, try going out without a camera and look at things you might photograph, then try to understand why you might have taken that shot. What caught your eye, why is this or that worth shooting. If you aren't busy taking the shot you can focus on the why. Might be worth a try anyway.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
I don’t want to leave the wrong impression. Probably everything I’ve ever done “has been done”. Pretty much am a cliché specialist. The scenery here mocks me every day.
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
None of the stuff I shoot has any relevance to anyone except me, and possibly my wife, and she is mostly being kind.
Isn't it enough to enjoy the pictures you take, process & print? There are enough famous photographers.
Isn't it enough to enjoy the pictures you take, process & print? There are enough famous photographers.
farlymac
PF McFarland
My favorite advice I like to give someone who doesn't know what to photograph is to go out their front door, stop, and look down at their feet. Then slowly work their way around while raising their vision a few degrees at a time. Look up and down the street. Look across the street. Somewhere in all those views there is something just screaming to be photographed. And hey, you didn't have to go anywhere or burn any fuel to see it. Also, while figuring out what to photograph, think about the story behind it, how that old tree has survived three vehicle accidents, or the neighbor's fence is a favorite resting spot of the finches, or how the cul-de-sac is a good place for the local skateboarders to turn around.
Sometimes one has to have a good bit of imagination to interpret a scene, or be able to understand how someone else might do so as what you capture may not be so obvious to many others.
Or one can be lucky to be located in an environment rich in visual scenery, such as my fellow Hoosier, Chris. I love it when I can get back to Indiana because there is just so much stuff to see. There are many times I have to pass up taking a photo because I'm on my way to somewhere else, but I try to file that image away in my head for the next trip.
Wall of Corn by P F McFarland, on Flickr
I even sometimes capture a scene in the same way that Chris does.
Waldron General Store by P F McFarland, on Flickr
But I never find myself without something to photograph that grabs someone's attention, even if it just jumps out at me with only moments to get it right.
Tearful Goodbye by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Even though I live in Virginia now, I still follow the same procedures, always keeping my head on a swivel to find a subject and try to tell its story.
Four Forks by P F McFarland, on Flickr
There are times I look at the map and pick a place to go to based on I'd never been there before. Sometimes like above I get lucky, and there are plenty of subjects to put on film. Other times I'm just trying to finish up a roll of film and will come across what some might call a boring local site, but it says something to me.
Small Industry by P F McFarland, on Flickr
I can only hope I preserved it in a way that it speaks to you too.
Chris is only one of the folks on here that I get inspiration from to keep improving my photography, not so much in the subject matter he captures, or his style, but in the way he uses them to tell a story about his part of Indiana which isn't much different than my home area. I love trying different things, so I don't limit myself to any one style or format, which is kind of reflected in my camera collection. I do find myself taking certain kinds of photos with particular cameras, but as soon as I switch my first thoughts are usually along what I can get with this kit, will it work for what I have in mind today.
And there are times when what I had planned on doesn't come to fruition, so I fall back to Plan B, which is just get some exposures of anything.
You keep on teaching, Chris. I'm sure some of them will get the message.
PF
Sometimes one has to have a good bit of imagination to interpret a scene, or be able to understand how someone else might do so as what you capture may not be so obvious to many others.
Or one can be lucky to be located in an environment rich in visual scenery, such as my fellow Hoosier, Chris. I love it when I can get back to Indiana because there is just so much stuff to see. There are many times I have to pass up taking a photo because I'm on my way to somewhere else, but I try to file that image away in my head for the next trip.
Wall of Corn by P F McFarland, on Flickr
I even sometimes capture a scene in the same way that Chris does.
Waldron General Store by P F McFarland, on Flickr
But I never find myself without something to photograph that grabs someone's attention, even if it just jumps out at me with only moments to get it right.
Tearful Goodbye by P F McFarland, on Flickr
Even though I live in Virginia now, I still follow the same procedures, always keeping my head on a swivel to find a subject and try to tell its story.
Four Forks by P F McFarland, on Flickr
There are times I look at the map and pick a place to go to based on I'd never been there before. Sometimes like above I get lucky, and there are plenty of subjects to put on film. Other times I'm just trying to finish up a roll of film and will come across what some might call a boring local site, but it says something to me.
Small Industry by P F McFarland, on Flickr
I can only hope I preserved it in a way that it speaks to you too.
Chris is only one of the folks on here that I get inspiration from to keep improving my photography, not so much in the subject matter he captures, or his style, but in the way he uses them to tell a story about his part of Indiana which isn't much different than my home area. I love trying different things, so I don't limit myself to any one style or format, which is kind of reflected in my camera collection. I do find myself taking certain kinds of photos with particular cameras, but as soon as I switch my first thoughts are usually along what I can get with this kit, will it work for what I have in mind today.
And there are times when what I had planned on doesn't come to fruition, so I fall back to Plan B, which is just get some exposures of anything.
You keep on teaching, Chris. I'm sure some of them will get the message.
PF
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
No one said anything about being famous. We're talking about photographers who are having trouble finding things to photograph. RFF is full of threads started by photographers asking how to do so. They're hobbyists like you, and most probably don't care about being famous, but they are interested in improving their work. That's not a bad thing, is it?
zuiko85
Veteran
I keep ‘seeing’ pictures as I drive around town. Unfortunately when returning to the location I realize I’d need to be in the middle of the street at the eye level of sitting in my car.
True story.
Seriously, after a while you walk around with a invisible frame hanging in front of your eyes with an angle of view of your favorite focal length and format. (Although sometimes I see compressed, long lens frames.)
True story.
Seriously, after a while you walk around with a invisible frame hanging in front of your eyes with an angle of view of your favorite focal length and format. (Although sometimes I see compressed, long lens frames.)
fireblade
Vincenzo.
Excellent book.
Pfreddee
Well-known
Living in an area like Fort Wayne, Indiana or Dillwyn, Virginia in Buckingham County for a long time and participating in the life of the community will suggest photos to take and at the same time tell the story of your community. My wife and I have lived in (the suburbs of) Dillwyn for 17 years. I've never lacked for something to see and photograph. I have a large paper bag full of black-and-white photos I really need to go through and edit. I've got a lesser amount of digital photos, too. We live in a beautiful part of the country. No need to travel out West for photo subjects. And yes, we even have Buckingham Palace here! It's a hunting camp with a sign proclaiming the name on State Route 633.
With best regards,
Pfreddee(Stephen)
With best regards,
Pfreddee(Stephen)
charjohncarter
Veteran
I've had both of these feelings. Most people think that I-5 between SF and LA in California is boring and it is, but driving it you see all kinds of possibilities off in the distance. But I'm usually at 85 MPH. Once I did stop and went off the highway it was a treat. I'll do it again someday.
RE: Different cameras. This is so true; the photos I take with my 6x7 Pentax are completely different from my Olympus 35RC.
Central Valley, CA:
TMY-2 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
jsrockit
Moderator
farlymac
PF McFarland
charjohncarter
Veteran
Yes PF, or even with a Mamiya Super 23 (the light was just right):
Arista EDU ultra 400 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
Arista EDU ultra 400 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
