rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Apparently a lot of people don't agree with you -

1. look at all the people who want to photograph the same sun at roughly the same time

2. look at the thread talking about the Grand Canyon http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-474052-1.html

3. look at the thread talking about Niagara Falls http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473964-1.html

Apparently I felt that way when I first joined here three years ago - but I certainly didn't realize it. Looking back, I can see time after time when I took unconventional shots of a conventional sight; now I'm aware of specifically looking for them.

1. if the eclipse totality came through my area, I'd be out looking for an area attractive to photographers and/or others, and as they prepared for / exulted after the experience, I'd be photographing them.

2. instead of looking for a good place to view sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon, I'd be a step back, catching the watchers in my foreground and the sun rise/set in my background

3. when I did visit Niagara Falls with my family, I found several non-conventional angles as I stayed alert, not just when we were actually at the special points.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-474336-1.html#7961709

I did recently post a series of pictures http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473004-1.html#7961309
I could have cropped or tossed the first two images, but they fit into my new view - they include people being themselves in a setting where normally something else {in this case, a tourist train} would be center stage.

JPL

I know, almost everything possible in photography has been done/photographed by someone else. I have always looked at photography as my hobby and it does not matter that others have the same hobby and do the same things. Some do them better than me, others not. I am only in this for myself, not to compete with others, only to do something I enjoy.

Today I spent the whole day walking around and taking photographs, came back to my hotel with full card. A few minutes before I was at the hotel I walked alongside another guy who looked at my camera hanging around my neck and asked what lens I had on it. I told him it was a 14 mm lens that I like to use. He told me he uses mostly 35 mm lens when photographing in cities. I told him I also had one in my bag but decided to take only the camera and one lens out today. It was a very warm day and not very tempting to carry heavy load on my shoulder ;) I think you could do the same, forget about your usual walkaround lens, but something else on the camera and use it for a day. It is challenging to do something new. You could even go out with your smartphone alone for fun.

I hope this helps. Now I will either go out again and take some night shots or start post processing the images from today

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I used to have a relative that said "why do you take pictures when you go places? You can buy a post card and the pictures are better!"

While I disagree with him, I do agree that the ONE picture that nobody else can take is the one with you or your loved ones in it as memories of the trip.

THOSE are the pictures I take. I don't worry about the rest.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My answer would have been that postcards don't see the world as I do.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Sounds like you need to find your mojo again. A purpose. Maybe even a mission.

Try watching this and see if it gives you any inspiration.

http://www.lisakristine.com/reflections-presence-ancient-cultures-lisa-kristine/

Perhaps you need to rediscover the sound of silence...

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Excellent point I too do pretty much the same way with loved ones on a trip. I also like to get off the beaten path and photograph what interests me without caring about wbat others think. Sometimes folks with me question what I'm taking pictures of and recommend I takes pictures of the stuff that is on the post cards and sometimes I buy the post cards for the pretty pictures but then I go back to snapping pictures of the common houses and markets and stuff. Some people say I have too much gear for snapping pictures of simple stuff but just last Saturday on a group trip my 16mm on a full frame got several shots that folks couldn't get with their phones. :-)