Where do you find inspiration for your photography? (Page 6): Undoubtedly your walking stick is a monopod? Keep going. Stay young...

Barre Loc: Fairfax Co, VA

Fredstersphotos wrote:

I was twelve years old and my sister found a camer... (show quote)

Undoubtedly your walking stick is a monopod? Keep going. Stay young

MJPerini

Fredstersphotos wrote:

I was twelve years old and my sister found a camer... (show quote)

Fredster. two things jump out from your post
Using your camera to document what you do
Is one of the best ways to get good at communicating and story telling.
The second is Montauk. While I mostly live in Bucks County PA we regularly drive the length of Long Island to our house in Montauk , my brother lives in Huntington.
Just last week there was roadwork on the SSP ( when isn’t there?) I showed my wife nearly the whole length of The Sunrise Highway and all the towns (that in my youth were separate, now they all run together)
Nice memories, thanks

MJPerini

Linda From Maine wrote:

Had that assignment with my flicker group a few weeks ago, although it was any "object," not just nature.

Thought it kind of silly 'til I spent a few days at it. Then I had fun!

S-Curve by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

.

Linda , I love that picture, the perfect balance of specificity and ambiguity
The color grabs you , and figuring it out keeps you there.
It reminds me of Saul Leiter the accidental genius of color photography .

Re “ Reactive” it leaves me cold because most good photographers Anticipate
I understand what you mean, but I’d leave it off and let your work speak for you
(Just my ‘reaction’ to hearing it ;-))

Horseart Loc: Alabama

JZA B1 wrote:

I constantly struggle to come up with what to shoot. Does it come randomly to you? Or do you plan and brainstorm and imagine the final picture first and then arrange to make it happen?

Do you shoot what you happened to see? Or do you create your shots?

My inspiration comes from just one thing: Believing that God meant for us to find a way to preserve the beauty He put here for us, so that others may enjoy it too. I will never be the artist He is but with my cameras, paints, brushes and canvas, I will be caught doing my best AND constantly trying to improve.

Amator21 Loc: California

Hi am a very modest photographer, not in my assessment of my skills which are indeed modest. but in my out put. I will confess that most of my pictures are not taken because I do not have a camera with me. Often I will think: That would make a nice picture and that is as far as it goes.
Poul

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

MJPerini wrote:

Linda , I love that picture, the perfect balance of specificity and ambiguity
The color grabs you , and figuring it out keeps you there.
It reminds me of Saul Leiter the accidental genius of color photography .

Re “ Reactive” it leaves me cold because most good photographers Anticipate
I understand what you mean, but I’d leave it off and let your work speak for you
(Just my ‘reaction’ to hearing it ;-))

Thanks so much!

I agree that "reactive" can be interpreted in the wrong way

Anticipating means you have some experience or knowledge regarding what you want and what you might find (weather, light, the habits of critters etc - but have eyes open to seeing). Much better!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Robertl594 wrote:

Great question. I have been thinking about this for some time. There are two things I love about photography. They are:

1. Capturing the unusual. I like to capture things that I see as unusual, both compositionally and subject wise. I like to capture emotion provoking images in a way that can be construed as beautiful, although not all images are of things of beauty. I like to capture things with a bit of artistry, unique perspective and personal creativity.

2. I love the marriage of technology of my cameras and their capabilities. I love my hardware and figuring out how to use it to create my vision of what my image is. I never want to be limited by my lack of capability or hindered by a lack of equipment. I am fortunate that I am able to afford the camera gear I want (what I really need is a Sherpa to help carry my stuff 😂). I also have made a lot of my gear to capture my images.

I am fairly competent at the technical side of photography, so I have become very explorative in advancing my exposure to the artistic merits of photography through developing relationships with artists, professional and amateur photographers, participating in photographic workshops, seeking critiques from experienced people who’s opinions I value. I seek exposure to a broader perspective to enhance, evolve and mature my work. I also love helping others in all things photographic. I like to mentor people who know less than I do and be mentored by those who know more. I am always happy to help anyone who has a question that I can answer.

Taking myself to locations that are not close to me offers new opportunities to photograph the unusual. For example, I just took a 10 day trip to India with a group of photographers. What we saw was beautiful, different and inspirational. Each person had a different skill set and vision that caused a new thoughtfulness and direction. I came back with 7,000 photos to work on that helps to round out my portfolio.

Photography has different meanings and levels of importance to each one of us. There is no right or wrong here. I feel that the most important driving factor is that we each develop our commitment to photography based on our personal likes, desires, level of passion and energy we have for photography. There is a wide range available and we each can go as far as we want to.

Thank you for the thought provoking question. Good questions always help to provide clarity and expression of purpose.

Great question. I have been thinking about this fo... (show quote)

You've sure taken some stellar shots, Bob ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Thomas902 wrote:

i "Where do you find inspiration for your ph... (show quote)

Gorgeous pieces of work, Thomas

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

joecichjr wrote:

You've sure taken some stellar shots, Bob ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Joe!!!! Really appreciate your kind words.

Maik723

Linda From Maine wrote:

But the topics are very wide-ranging!

I, for one, would love to know where you find your inspiration 🥰

Yeah Linda. Me too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Amator21 wrote:

Hi am a very modest photographer, not in my assessment of my skills which are indeed modest. but in my out put. I will confess that most of my pictures are not taken because I do not have a camera with me. Often I will think: That would make a nice picture and that is as far as it goes.
Poul

You are the perfect candidate for a smartphone.

The best camera you have is the best one you have with you when you need a camera. For me, that's my iPhone if I'm not carrying my backpack full of the "semi-big iron."

Vaun's photography Loc: Bonney Lake, WA

burkphoto wrote:

You are the perfect candidate for a smartphone.

The best camera you have is the best one you have with you when you need a camera. For me, that's my iPhone if I'm not carrying my backpack full of the "semi-big iron."

I think that's sage advice! I'm almost always using my smartphone rather than carrying my Canon DSLR everywhere.

User ID

burkphoto wrote:

You are the perfect candidate for a smartphone.

The best camera you have is the best one you have with you when you need a camera. For me, that's my iPhone if I'm not carrying my backpack full of the "semi-big iron."

While I just cannot take my phone pix overly seriously I do greatly value my phone as my "sketch book". Its very handy for developing themes that I might pursue "more seriously" later on (with better gear than the phone).

Seems I cant be a biffer. I dont tend to look UP. Im just much more inspired by looking straight DOWN, with the unseen central core of the planet dead center in my viewfinder.

(Download)

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

burkphoto wrote:

You are the perfect candidate for a smartphone.

The best camera you have is the best one you have with you when you need a camera. For me, that's my iPhone if I'm not carrying my backpack full of the "semi-big iron."

Exactly. That's why I bought a S23 Ultra. It has an amazing camera, I always have it with me, and I'm not able to carry my Canon and lenses on hikes like I used to.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

User ID wrote:

While I just cannot take my phone pix overly seriously I do greatly value my phone as my "sketch book". Its very handy for developing themes that I might pursue "more seriously" later on (with better gear than the phone).

Seems I cant be a biffer. I dont tend to look UP. Im just much more inspired by looking straight DOWN, with the unseen central core of the planet dead center in my viewfinder.

Some of my best work comes from "scouting expeditions" with the phone.

Up, down, around... Whatever sparks the fire.