No-effort photography places

[gns]

Dear Gary,

Of course a good photograph can happen just about anywhere. That was not how I understood the discussion though. I understood it as a matter of which you find more stimulating, the familiar or the unfamiliar. This is why I'm not sure there's a "third group".

Also, "banal" and "familiar" are not quite the same.

Cheers,

R.

I have meet many photographers who say they simply work wherever they are and have equal results whether in a familiar or unfamiliar place.

Actually, the original topic was more, places in which one can't help but get good photographs (you suggested several). Obviously, it is not that simple. If it were, we'd all go there and come back famous photographers. What really happens is that (most) everyone goes to these places and come back with the same pictures.

It seems to me, that the good photographers get the good pictures wherever, and the "Good" places tend to yield a lot of boring pictures from the rest of us.

 

[David Hughes]

For Roger ;-)

For Roger ;-)

Regards, David

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

It seems to me, that the good photographers get the good pictures wherever, and the "Good" places tend to yield a lot of boring pictures from the rest of us.

I agree. There are so many fascinating details that confront you every time you walk out the door. Just look and you will see, like this house and shop built over what is now a public street in Bristol. A sort of "micro arcade"...

 

[jippiejee]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Morocco yet. Probably as colorful and photogenic as Cuba. The medina of Fes, the ocean port of Essaouira. Can't fail there with a camera on you.

 

[goo0h]

just a quick note. Last time I was in Peru you had to declare the second camera and they would hold some percentage of the value of that camera until you left, whereby you collected that money back. Now you're allowed to bring two cameras, no hassles. Just indicate on the form (in Spanish) that you have two items (in this case cameras.) That's it.

however, they do run your luggage through scanners, including carry-ons, after claiming your luggage and before being allowed to leave the airport. I did bring some fast film, and so asked that they hand check just that film. At first they were resistant, but then obliged. That scanning before leaving is something new.

 

[michaelwj]

I'm guessing its just too far to go for you northern folk, but the south island of NZ. You could drop your camera and it would take a keeper as it hit the ground! Think Lord of the Rings scenery round every corner, no PS required. If you get the chance and like landscapes, go.

Michael

 

[Sparrow]

 

[rluka]

PS Re: boring walks to work. Mundane shots are never taken and then years later you realise it's all changed and you can't show a picture of it. People think you're daft as a brush when you take them but they gain in value over the years.

Two checkbox:
- Surprise (something fresh)
- Effort (something that show hard work, usually with consistent theme across a long period)

Doesn't have the perseverance, so the no-effort spot is usually new places. Even easier if it's beyond the border.

 

[telenous]

Here's an easy place to shoot 😀



.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Just keep your eyes open. The town of Swindon is classed as "boring", by those who keep their eyes closed. However, when someone suggested they should have a hanging garden, like that place Babylon, they took it just a little bit too literally...

...so then some idiot told them they were driving him up the wall...

😀

 

[Tijmendal]

For me it's anywhere that isn't home. Almost anything that isn't ordinary is interesting to me.

 

[mfogiel]

There is no such thing as no effort photography, unless your photography sucks, in which case, it is misleading to talk about effort.
I've heard about the hordes of photo tourists who went to California on the traces of Edward Weston, to shoot his "easy" dunes, peppers, etc.
They all went back home wondering, where did he "see" his masterpieces.

I think, that traveling to your kitchen, could be an exhilarating photo experience:

http://ak.pinterest.com/pin/467318898805343941/

 

[anjoca76]

I always find travel stimulating for purposes of photography--and I don't necessarily even mean "vacation" travel. I am happy to find something to photograph almost anywhere I have not been before. But then again, I'll shoot just about anything, so I guess maybe I am less picky than most.

No-effort? Unfortunately, those places tend to be the touristy sites that have been photographed to death. I've never been to Paris, but I know that when I do I will undoubtedly come home with Eiffel Tower shots. The challenge is funding interesting ways to capture those iconic places.

I find that changing lenses to something I don't usually use is a big help when trying to "see" anew places I've been before--like instead of my usual 35 or 50, I'll use a 21 or 90. I've worked (and lived) in Boston for the past 14 years. There are only so many different routes to home and work; it can be very monotonous. So I will change lenses to keep things fresh.