Where do you find inspiration for your photography? (Page 9): I agree. Serendipity, finding a subject by chance is always, to me, an unexpected pleasure!

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Basil wrote:

As I’m driving or walking around, I’m constantly looking around and asking myself how I could frame things for a photograph. I consider what sorts of interesting perspectives I could use to make what may otherwise be a boring subject more interesting. I’m always taking pictures in my minds eye, even when I don’t have a camera.

I agree. Serendipity, finding a subject by chance is always, to me, an unexpected pleasure!

Barre Loc: Fairfax Co, VA

tommystrat wrote:

I agree. Serendipity, finding a subject by chance is always, to me, an unexpected pleasure!

Horseart Loc: Alabama

tommystrat wrote:

I agree. Serendipity, finding a subject by chance is always, to me, an unexpected pleasure!

Always!

Mduffy910 Loc: Michigan

Basil wrote:

As I’m driving or walking around, I’m constantly looking around and asking myself how I could frame things for a photograph. I consider what sorts of interesting perspectives I could use to make what may otherwise be a boring subject more interesting. I’m always taking pictures in my minds eye, even when I don’t have a camera.

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Basil wrote:

As I’m driving or walking around, I’m constantly looking around and asking myself how I could frame things for a photograph. I consider what sorts of interesting perspectives I could use to make what may otherwise be a boring subject more interesting. I’m always taking pictures in my minds eye, even when I don’t have a camera.

For me thaz almost a chronic disability, if severe distraction is a disability. I almost never record the scenes, but Im always "working" them. I can be staring, for no reason at really nothing in particular, but MUST step sideways, just a bit, to fix the framing or paralax of my mindless view.

Thaz why I verrrry seldom have a camera along with me for serendipitous possibility arising. If I have it with me, that means I already have an intended purpose for it.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

taffspride wrote:

I agree with this, it is sound advice. I ask, did you buy a camera to just take snapshots for memories, or have you taken photography to the next level? Perhaps join a photo club interact with other photographers, go on field trips. View various photo galleries, and some advice I was given, Try all genres till you find what you best like, then go for it.

Iechyd da

Ann

Ann, I don't think recording memories of your family is shooting at a lower level, but I do agree with your suggestions.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Basil wrote:

As I’m driving or walking around, I’m constantly looking around and asking myself how I could frame things for a photograph. I consider what sorts of interesting perspectives I could use to make what may otherwise be a boring subject more interesting. I’m always taking pictures in my minds eye, even when I don’t have a camera.

Ditto.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

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?

Interesting. I have never looked for inspiration for my photography. I start with the content, with the subject, and I think of photography as a means to communicate about the subject, as a way to learn and teach about a particular subject. I think that for some, photography is about themselves as photographers, maybe even as artists, rather than about particular subjects. There is nothing wrong with that. For others, the client decides what is to be photographed. As Thomas said above, the inspiration or him is the paycheck. There is nothing wrong with that, and he is extremely talented at what he does. For others, the purpose of photography is for preserving memories of people and events. There is nothing wrong with that, either.

I have a strong interest in particular subjects, and photography is ancillary to that. Photography doesn't drive me to find subjects, the subjects have driven me to photography.

The photograph below was not about finding an inspiring subject for a photograph, rather it is photograph of a subject that interests me (and other people), a subject that I pursued, and that I photographed as part of a larger purpose. It is Phlox pilosa, a native species that is getting harder and harder to find in the area where I am focusing. I found a representative specimen, the blossom is at peak, buds and foliage are well represented. No doubt there are more exciting flowers out there, perhaps on another continent or in a herbarium or a flower shop. No doubt there are more inspiring - or more popular - subjects for photographs. I wouldn't claim that this image is art or even a particularly great photograph.

I do often plan and brainstorm and imagine the final picture. For example, I want to find and photograph Hill's thistle, Trailing arbutus, and a few other species this year. I have a clear mental image of what I am after there, and when I will go and with what equipment. It might be years before I get the photograph I imagined. To some extent I do create the shots, sometimes with lighting and sometimes with moving sticks and leaves. I sometimes spend an hour or more on one subject, and often make multiple trips to the same location.

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