Where do you find inspiration for your photography? (Page 5): Nature.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

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?

Nature.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

lmTrying wrote:

See, you made me think....So, see, one of those things subconsciously floating aroung my brain, the OP and you have brought to the forefront of my understanding and thought process. Again, thank you both,

Yes! The best an interactive online topic can hope to achieve 🥰

.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Linda From Maine wrote:

Included in my first comment on page 1 is: i &quo... (show quote)

I was really surprised when you personally asked me to check out the "For Your Consideration" section. And I did. I think that either I just did not quite understand what the intent was, or I felt a little overwhelmed. I don't remember. Maybe a majority of the members were not sure of its intent either. But there are a lot of thought-provoking commentaries that abound throughout many sections. They usually come from just a handful of members. Those are the threads that I usually read. There are others that I do not even open.

And let me add, that when you announced that you were stepping away a few years ago, I was quite disappointed. And I was quite happy that you returned.

Bill

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

lmTrying wrote:

...
And let me add, that when you announced that you were stepping away a few years ago, I was quite disappointed. And I was quite happy that you returned.

Bill

That's very kind and generous of you, Bill. Thank you so much!

taffspride Loc: Originally Wales, now the Sunshine State

CHG_CANON wrote:

What caused you to buy a camera? What caused you to buy your lens or lenses? What are your interests? Do you view the Photo Gallery here at UHH or other photography sites for ideas and inspiration?

Some people might like certain seasons more than others, say flowers and insects that kind of need to wait for warmer weather. Others might like people over animals. But really, you must know yourself enough at this stage of life to know what / where your interests reside.

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

DanF Loc: Wichita, KS

I rarely take my camera and walk around where I live. I like to go to new locations, force myself to get up before dawn and go exploring for shots. In that way it’s not a struggle, the shots are usually there and easier to see because it’s new. I do this 3-5 times a year and that gives me plenty of raw material (pun intended) to work with in post processing at home. I also look at websites of photographers whose work I like and I think those images stay with me as I look at new landscapes. First you emulate, then you create.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

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?

I do a lot of roaming on Google Earth. When I come across a photograph posted there that I like, I think about what it might look like from a different perspective. Then I look for more within reasonable distance that I can include in a single trip. That makes it a planned shoot. However, I also look constantly while going the specific location for unplanned shots. So I suppose I cover both. Since I do landscaping (with some wildlife) it works for me. If that's not your genre, you might do it differently.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

To me it may be more of a changeling than inspiration.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

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?

I live in the Pacific NW and travel around states west of the Rockies visiting National Parks. Photo ops are everywhere. America is beautiful, just get out and capture it.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Travel, TRAVEL, and just a little more Traveling!

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

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?

In answer to the title, "Everywhere!".

bwa

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

I don’t have much inspiration anymore. I typically am a family event photographer, travel photographer and street photographer. I like zoos. Landscapes and so on.

But not so much anything now that my wife has dementia. We don’t travel much anymore. Crowds and strangers bother her.

I do get my camera out at family events and on local outings but it isn’t the same as it used to be. It doesn’t interest me as much as it used to. I have even thought about selling all my gear but also know I would regret doing that.

Chuck

Fredstersphotos Loc: Long Island NY

I was twelve years old and my sister found a camera and asked me if I wanted it I started taking pictures and fell in love with photography. I worked for the railroad in the construction part for thirty one years and being that they knew I was in to photography they would ask me to photograph the job as it went along and the completion when I retired I ran out first buying the Nikon D2 H then the Nikon D2X and I had quite a lens collection went over to Canon now back to Nikon and Olympus. There are so many places on Long Island that you can photograph we have a Hummingbird Sanctuary, Lighthouses, Jamaica Bay, Nickerson Beach, Jones Beach, we have a Butterfly Attraction with Bugs and Butterflies from all over the world, Bird and Penguin and Shark Attractions, you can see Seals, A huge outdoor Art Gallery, The Hamptons, Montauk Point,Fire Island, I can go on and on I’m going to be 81 in a few months I have not slowed down still getting camera equipment still shooting. I love it so much I do not think I will ever stop. Time is kicking my ass it is trying to wear me down but I’m not backing down. I had major back surgery and walk with a cane now but I am still out there shooting and hope to God I do not fall down because I can not get up by myself. It’s not easy walking on the beach. I love photography!!!!!

EJMcD

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)

A very thoughtful, intelligent response accompanied by great images.

Barre Loc: Fairfax Co, VA

I get a lot of inspiration right here on UHH