back alley
IMAGES
every now and then i determine that next time i go out shooting that i will try my damnedest to 'see' things differently...that i will not take the 'same' sort of images that i usually do but will come away with something that looks different from my norm.
this mostly has never worked.
there are times when i am in a certain sort of 'goove' and i do manage to walk away with an image that i really like and that isn't in my 'normal' style.
this happens very rarely.
do you think that it's possible to change the way we see the world around us when photographing?
this mostly has never worked.
there are times when i am in a certain sort of 'goove' and i do manage to walk away with an image that i really like and that isn't in my 'normal' style.
this happens very rarely.
do you think that it's possible to change the way we see the world around us when photographing?
icebear
Veteran
You can break out and try certain styles but it bears the chance for imitation.
I was thinking about revealing my "inner Gibson" next time
I was thinking about revealing my "inner Gibson" next time
NeeZee
Well-known
I know exactly what you mean - often went out shooting with the same thought of 'doing things differently'. To me it definitely works better when using a camera that does everything apart from pointing it at something by itself (film p&s in my case). The more I have to think about exposure, focus etc. the less likely it is for me to come up with something different...
sreed2006
Well-known
I have actually put a lot of thought into this lately.
One thing that I have noticed is that people in general tend to approach activities the same way their entire lives. At work, for instance, people in panic mode tend to always be in panic mode, even if there is nothing urgent happening. Likewise, calm and efficient workers tend not to get thrown too far off by anything. I've been at the same job long enough now to see that people really don't change how they do their work that much, even as decades go by.
That must carry over to how one approaches and practices photography - it is very difficult to change your basic approach.
Most of my life, I've carried a camera on a strap around my neck. Just to shake things up, I decided to carry the camera in my left hand while out and about, with no strap at all. That was an entirely different experience, and it made the way that I decided when to take a picture, how I prepared to shoot, how I stood, and how I composed the picture entirely different. As a result, I think I got better pictures.
So to change what and how you photograph, you have to get out of old habits completely. Change things up physically, to force yourself into a different way of photographing, physically. It will make a difference. Can't promise it will improve your pictures - but they will be different.
One thing that I have noticed is that people in general tend to approach activities the same way their entire lives. At work, for instance, people in panic mode tend to always be in panic mode, even if there is nothing urgent happening. Likewise, calm and efficient workers tend not to get thrown too far off by anything. I've been at the same job long enough now to see that people really don't change how they do their work that much, even as decades go by.
That must carry over to how one approaches and practices photography - it is very difficult to change your basic approach.
Most of my life, I've carried a camera on a strap around my neck. Just to shake things up, I decided to carry the camera in my left hand while out and about, with no strap at all. That was an entirely different experience, and it made the way that I decided when to take a picture, how I prepared to shoot, how I stood, and how I composed the picture entirely different. As a result, I think I got better pictures.
So to change what and how you photograph, you have to get out of old habits completely. Change things up physically, to force yourself into a different way of photographing, physically. It will make a difference. Can't promise it will improve your pictures - but they will be different.
dc5
dc5
I usually use a 35mm, so sometimes I try to mix it up by only taking maybe a 21, or a 75...and try not to think about what didn't make the trip... and hopefully look at things differently.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Yes, if you have a reason behind your photography and a message you are trying to deliver. Then, you can work on a different reason and different message.
But it is hard to change things when one just wanders around taking photos of whatever looks interesting without some end result in mind.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
get drunk!
lynnb
Veteran
This may change the way you see, but tends to introduce a new problem of how to focus..
denizg7
Well-known
sometimes i used to feel rushed taking pictures now I have a calmer eye and i wait and i sometimes drink like simon said
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I don't think we can change the way we see, just expand it.
We discover new ways of applying our vision.
Brooks Jensen (LensWork Publishing) recently posted two podcasts on this subject:
http://daily.lenswork.com/2012/11/podcast-785.html
http://daily.lenswork.com/2012/11/podcast-786.html
Worth listening to.
jky
Well-known
Yes it's possible.
I'd like to think that my photos from a few years ago are different from those that I take now.... mainly due to the fact that I believe I see things differently.
The following IMO are the factors that caused this change:
- developing an appreciation & becoming heavenly influenced by a certain aesthetic
- studying people's work
- a workshop I attended (DAH in Oaxaca)
- shooting & discussing the specific genre of photography with friends/peers.
*and of course....plenty of those days you mention
So I wouldn't count on this change to occur overnight - it wasn't for me anyways. More of an evolution I guess ?
I'd like to think that my photos from a few years ago are different from those that I take now.... mainly due to the fact that I believe I see things differently.
The following IMO are the factors that caused this change:
- developing an appreciation & becoming heavenly influenced by a certain aesthetic
- studying people's work
- a workshop I attended (DAH in Oaxaca)
- shooting & discussing the specific genre of photography with friends/peers.
*and of course....plenty of those days you mention
So I wouldn't count on this change to occur overnight - it wasn't for me anyways. More of an evolution I guess ?
zvos1
Well-known
You beat me to it
Don't get drunk so you can't walk, just have a few to get a bit tipsy and I am sure your photos will change somewhat.
lynnb
Veteran
Joe, one way I work on changing the way I see is to look at the work of someone whose work inspires and use that to get ideas on how I might adapt or apply their viewpoint or technique to the subjects I like to shoot. That's my principal reason for buying photo books, looking at art and photo exhibitions, and browsing the Gallery.
Sometimes I see work which changes the way I see and interpret my world. Then I go out and shoot with the benefit of understanding a different way of seeing.
Sometimes I see work which changes the way I see and interpret my world. Then I go out and shoot with the benefit of understanding a different way of seeing.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
do you think that it's possible to change the way we see the world around us when photographing?
Sure...take only one lens that you normally don't use...if you always use a wide angle then go with a tele...you'll have to find things that fit that lens...
And like Bob says...go out with a purpose, a plan. a project...only shoot what fits...
Sure...take only one lens that you normally don't use...if you always use a wide angle then go with a tele...you'll have to find things that fit that lens...
And like Bob says...go out with a purpose, a plan. a project...only shoot what fits...
Austintatious
Well-known
I found this book quite helpful.
http://www.shambhala.com/the-practice-of-contemplative-photography.html
Miksang is a way of making yourself "see" in a different way.
http://www.shambhala.com/the-practice-of-contemplative-photography.html
Miksang is a way of making yourself "see" in a different way.
zuiko85
Veteran
I have finally arrived at an age where there is no more need to fool myself. I have no 'eye' for photography.
No vision.
No 'seeing'.
Could I improve? Perhaps but so far, other than gaining more technical expertise so that I can produce at least a printable negative I don't see it.
Every once in a while I will actually get an idea and one thing I have learned is that I won't remember it 10 minutes later so I'd better write it down. One of the most important accessories in my photo kit is a note book and pen.
No vision.
No 'seeing'.
Could I improve? Perhaps but so far, other than gaining more technical expertise so that I can produce at least a printable negative I don't see it.
Every once in a while I will actually get an idea and one thing I have learned is that I won't remember it 10 minutes later so I'd better write it down. One of the most important accessories in my photo kit is a note book and pen.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
sparrow6224
Well-known
Visually speaking most of us bounce between two realities: the world, and photographs of the world. (There are also, of course, films of the world and dreams of the world and distorted visions due to intoxication of some kind or technical intercession.... but mostly there are the first two.) Some famous photographer habitually answered the question of why he chose to photograph a certain image, with the simple declaration that he wanted to see what a photograph of that thing/scene etc looked like. I was very struck when I read this: it is exactly true, in that (I know this seems obvious but its implications might not all be) the thing, the scene, the face, are not the same and don't look the same as a photograph of the thing, the scene, the face....
What this has meant for me is that I have endeavored since to see what is in front of me or at the corner of my vision in terms of a frame and an angle of view. I try to see an image in b&w before I decide to shoot it -- unless I'm shooting color, which is rare. I have noticed that b&W photographs of what should have been taken in color, and color shots of what should have been taken in b/w, are boring.
I think the way to expand and grow in terms of visual skill and visual imagination and use both in ways efficiently adpated to phography is to look carefully at huge quanities of good photographs, to examine them and analyze them. One sees sooo many photographic images in the course of a day -- but a small number of them will actually leap slightly off the surface, will demand the interest of your eye. Study these images, decide what makes them work. Incrementally, as sediment forms over time, your own visual sophistication and imagination will grow, turn, expand.
What this has meant for me is that I have endeavored since to see what is in front of me or at the corner of my vision in terms of a frame and an angle of view. I try to see an image in b&w before I decide to shoot it -- unless I'm shooting color, which is rare. I have noticed that b&W photographs of what should have been taken in color, and color shots of what should have been taken in b/w, are boring.
I think the way to expand and grow in terms of visual skill and visual imagination and use both in ways efficiently adpated to phography is to look carefully at huge quanities of good photographs, to examine them and analyze them. One sees sooo many photographic images in the course of a day -- but a small number of them will actually leap slightly off the surface, will demand the interest of your eye. Study these images, decide what makes them work. Incrementally, as sediment forms over time, your own visual sophistication and imagination will grow, turn, expand.
maitani
Well-known
I highly recommend the book 'how to see' from george nelson
The only photo-related book you'll ever need really
The only photo-related book you'll ever need really
mfogiel
Veteran
I think a new "vision" can be learnt the same way as you can learn how to draw - by using the other side of the brain. You couild try more not to see things for what you believe them to be, but for what they appear like. A great book helping to understand this approach is:
http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Photography-Seeing-Beyond/dp/1580081940
this will direct you more to be a seeker of the beauty in the forms that surround us.
Another approach, would be that of trying to document something really well, in this case you need to really get emotionally involved with the subject, and work very close for a longer period of time. There are many famous stories here, beginning with the whole idea of documenting the american depression, followed by many combat coverages, Salgado's labour coverage, Giacomelli's hospice series, Nan Goldin's family coverage, etc. As a curiosity, HCB apparently has been visiting Matisse's studio for four months, before he has pulled the camera out to make the first photos, which led to this:
http://www.adammarelliphoto.com/wp-...r-Henri-Matisse-at-his-home-villa-Le-Reve.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Photography-Seeing-Beyond/dp/1580081940
this will direct you more to be a seeker of the beauty in the forms that surround us.
Another approach, would be that of trying to document something really well, in this case you need to really get emotionally involved with the subject, and work very close for a longer period of time. There are many famous stories here, beginning with the whole idea of documenting the american depression, followed by many combat coverages, Salgado's labour coverage, Giacomelli's hospice series, Nan Goldin's family coverage, etc. As a curiosity, HCB apparently has been visiting Matisse's studio for four months, before he has pulled the camera out to make the first photos, which led to this:
http://www.adammarelliphoto.com/wp-...r-Henri-Matisse-at-his-home-villa-Le-Reve.jpg