Most of my photographic opportunities are coming from local sources these days and I don’t foresee that changing in the immediate future, so, as fair warning it’s probably trees and streets for a while. :-)
I guess then it falls to me to find some interest in capturing and presenting these “common things.”
Having no huge “discoveries” to photograph it’s on to creatively working for the finer points of appeal in the familiar.
Even “common subjects” can have expiration dates, giving only narrow windows of opportunity.
The other day I was taking photos “In the weeds.” Now those weeds no longer exist, mowed down (photo above,) thanks to local park maintenance which either saw a weeded nature area as a threat or busy work more valuable.
Nothing wrong with trees and streets, Earl. It might be a little tough to do classic “Street Photography” in Salisbury but I’m sure you’ll make it interesting.
Tom, There are fewer opportunities in Salisbury…and yes that goes for “Street Photography” as well. :-) I’ll just treat it as a challenge.
I agree with Tom – trees, streets, local subjects of all kinds make up the majority of our photos anyway. I certainly don’t have the means to travel the world looking for the most exotic locales. And having followed your blog for some time now, I know you’ll make the best of it. Like your first image above – excellent!
John, Thanks. On that first photo, even in the forest the sky was still the story with those dark rolling clouds.
Ah, yes. Eventually, it seems to always come back to this particular challenge, doesn’t it? I think that it’s good brain food!
Yeah, I guess it does, Paul. I ofter wonder if people who live in some of these seemingly super photo rich locations feel this same way. I suspect they do and some might even think we have it really good being so close to both mountains and the ocean…hey, maybe we do! :-)
The challenge is on you, Earl. Most of us are happy with trees and local street scenes that are done as well as this.
You’re absolutely right, Ken. Thanks!
Trees and streets are fine with me. I then get to see how you see the world. I like that. These images caused me to remember the couple years I spent in Ohio wandering through their Metro Parks. I usually came back with simple images but a feeling of peace usually accompanies that.
Thanks, Monte. Maybe I just a small case of the winter time blues. :-) Here lately with Maggie leading the way I’ve been coming back from these walks tired and if there’s any images worth while it’s “icing on the cake.”
Trees are good, as a forester I spent lots of time with them and never once did they talk back. It’s a different story with my former coworkers!
Steve, Yeah it’s a well known fact their bark is worst then their bite. Sorry, I had to go there! :-)
My personal view, Earl, is that photographing “common” things is a fine idea – so long as you can manage to find something uncommon to point the camera at. I know that lots of people disagree with that, but that’s my opinion. There has to be something in the image to get my attention – a “thing”, an idea, a mood – or I won’t even give it the proverbial 10 second look.
Your first image does that, I think. Talk about moody – when I first saw it I figured maybe you’d managed to find Tolkien’s “Misty Mountains” from “The Hobbit”. The trees look downright spooky. Especially with the bare limbs and blue-gray clouds in the background.
“Common things” with an attitude………….
Paul, I wouldn’t disagree with your opinion. It sounds simple but finding and/or expressing that uncommon attribute from among common subjects can certainly be a challenging.
Thanks! As i commented above, those dark rolling clouds of this particular day really made for the mood of that first photo.
I once thought about trying to do a project of fallen trees in my woods, if for nothing better than to just give myself some creative challenge to work on. But like you say, it can be a challenge. Good question you pose about those who might live near some of the icons, do they ever find it challenging to find something new?
Not an original thought, but I have viewed your blog long enough to know that, wherever you point your camera, you will find something of interest. If trees and streets are where you are headed, I am buying a ticket to “ride” along.
With the first one, you truly found the enchantment in the forest. Lots of stories in that one—my favorite in this terrific group.
Haha, I saw you asked whether people living in, what I assume you meant, more urban areas, experience the same as you do, walking the same woods, the same paths, the same street, day after day. I assume I live in a more densely populated area, so i can answer that at least I do feel the same. After a while, I even start to recognize the people I photograph. I suspect that even in a multi-million city, you get used to the scenes you see every day. As you say, we quite probably need to refresh our vision and look one more time. A field can have been mown, a house can have been torn down, but there are many much more subtle differences, from day to day. There must be.