Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A new UHH member mentioned difficulties in finding subjects to photograph after moving from Seattle to New Mexico. My own journey from Maine to semi-arid central Washington State produced the same challenges.

The purpose of this thread is to share your stories and photos of times when you found yourself in a similar situation, either from family/job relocation or just traveling. If a vacation, did you research ahead of time; if a move, how did you adjust from what was to what is? Please offer details of how you approach unfamiliar subjects or scenes and produce photos that satisfy you.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

About a year after moving to Yakima, I took a part-time office job working for orchard growers. Learning about heavily regulated water "rights" (where water is not guaranteed through the growing season) and other pitfalls of farming such as spring freezes and hail damage, I started to view the countryside with different eyes. No, it certainly isn't Maine, but it has its own unique beauty.

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Robin G

I really love the first photo and that second photo is definitely eastern WA. It reminds me a great deal of central WY.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much. Would love to have you post a photo or two and talk about your own adjustments to the changes. Just click "reply" rather than quick reply and you'll see the "choose file/upload" section below your text box, similar to when creating a new topic. Welcome!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You don't have to move somewhere new to find yourself in an inspiration desert. If you live in the same place for a long time, sooner or later you'll find that you've photographed all of the obvious stuff and you'll find yourself struggling to find new or interesting stuff to shoot. The obvious answer is to travel, preferably to places where there are known photo ops, but not everybody has that as an anytime option. In my case it has to wait till I can have a planned holiday which involves taking holiday time from work and paying for hotels.

The following shots were taken on local turf in an attempt to find something of interest in very familiar settings. They're not wall-hangers but I have decided to keep them because of the visual interest that they have for me. In the end that's what matters. Don't ask me to explain why they have that sort of interest for me - I haven't got a clue .

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Robin G

Like I said in an earlier post I've had a hard time with inspiration since I've moved to NM. Here are a few I've shot.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

An excellent point to add to the discussion, R.G. Thank you!

Do you recall any specific mindset or goals when you went looking for "something of interest in familiar settings?" There are occasional main forum topics from folks who feel burned out and uninspired and suggestions have included shooting at unique perspectives or trying to see in terms of shadows, shapes, textures instead of literal subjects.

Your first is of great interest to me for the minimal composition of something not regularly photographed against something more familiar. Great colors too!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you!

Can you share any specifics about how you are dealing with the change in subjects and setting? It looks like you're taking advantage of the wide, long views that were likely missing in Seattle.

Or have you looked at other photos of where you now live for ideas? Or met any other photographers to chat with?

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I can recall not having any sort of objective other than trying to see beyond the ordinary and deciding that anything of any kind of visual interest would do. That's probably a good mental exercise worth doing at any time. And of course if the resulting shots aren't instantly attention-grabbing there's always possibilities in PP.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

This speaks a bit to the challenge of taking a photo a day for a year (Erich mentioned, but I can't find right offhand). I also like the idea of shooting anything - as opposed to nothing - because after taking time back home to view on the computer, you might see something that sparks your interest in a re-do, or gives you an idea for other.

When I entered a few of St3v3M's weekly photo challenges the first year of my UHH membership, I would sometimes look at what had been posted and that would make my brain go from A to B to C to come up with my own "original" idea

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Exactly. And there's nothing wrong with looking at stuff that others have thought capture-worthy. It's possible that you won't relate to much of it, but the stuff that does strike a chord will help you to clarify your ideas and help you discover your own thing (or possibly things). Experimenting is usually what opens the door to progress. That and making yourself consider stuff that you don't normally think about.

Robin G

It had been a week shy of a year since I'd picked up my camera. It was brown, rocky, dusty and barren every where I looked. Depressed artistically is putting it mildly. Then one day I was running to the convenience store and spotted this old beauty and had to shoot it. During editing I used the sepia filter and loved it. That is where I got my inspiration for my Salvage in Sepia album.

After I was over the self pity of not having the lush foliage that was abundant in western WA I realized I was actually able to photograph a sunset without having to go to the water because the trees blocked the view everywhere but there. I'm slowly photographing different things and am looking forward to spring.

stevebein

Years ago, when a National Geographic photographer spoke to the Adventurers Club of Los Angeles about his assignments and his unique images, the comment I remember most, is shoot from where others do not even at familiar places. His advice was either get lower than most or higher. His specialty was doing photos of remote locations from a flying paraglider. At the time his photography was desert areas in North Africa hundreds of miles from local airports. He and an European powered para glider champion flew in the Sahara, based out of roving Land Rovers. They shot from a few hundred feet to a mile above ground. Different perspectives and very unique. Also his village images were spectacular also shot from roofs or ground level. Just a few thoughts on how to see the familiar with new eyes.
Try moving just a few feet from where you are, up down, right, left.
Do some street photography. hand your wide angle lens equipped camera from a strap and just walk and shoot. Try using a remote shutter control in your pocket instead of visibly handling the camera. Creativity first, then post processing. Take a look at some available filters physical and digital. Tilt your camera beyond what looks like just shooter error.
Get closer than usual, and farther. Look at a scene, focus on one specific thing, simplify the image. OR, as Frans Lanting did of a jungle photo, capture the chaos of nature.
Keep a notebook of your ideas and live them.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

What an interesting thread! I am not sure exactly what your first picture is Linda but I've sat here staring at it....I found a visual 'draw' to it. I myself have not traveled, tho it was my hope and intention. All the photos taken w/ film were lost in a flood here in '97. I have been an avid learner w/ digital over the past 15 yrs and so enjoyed sometimes seeing what others pass by. Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! My location, southern tier of NY state avails itself of farming, lakes, hills and vineyards! I guess once you see one set of grapes, you've seen them all! But there is a fascinating draw to the re-occurance of life........for me and I never tire of the vineyards.
I will follow this thread.......to catch glimpses of others views.....and maybe w/ any luck at all, my life will expand outward!
pam

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Wonderful, this is exactly the information I was hoping folks would share here, rr. I appreciate very much.

A chance encounter led to creative juices flowing to inspiration for the Sepia album...and also the sudden realization of the photogenic value of wide open spaces.

The perspective on your "old beauty" is awesome! Very engaging image.

Thanks again!