What do you do to get out and photograph?

[Struan Gray]

AH... I walk 5 to 6 miles a day/4 to 5 days a week and what's funny is I walk by Nike's World Campus some of that time. So getting out and doing it isn't the problem. It's finding time for my photography. It's finding something to excite my eye.
As Stiglitz wrote:
"Seeing needs practice--Just like photography."

I found that when I spent time walking and looking - as opposed to immersing myself in photographs and writing about photographs - I started to see for myself in a way that was much more invigorating than any trip to more exotic locations.

Right now I jump on my bike at 1159 and pedal like stink. An hour later I am back at my desk, a bit pink and shiney, but with fifteen to twenty minutes worth of wandering under a hazel canopy in the bag. It's not like loafing about on a Guggenheim, but it'll do for now.

 

[Robert Brummitt]

I want to Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. I must be going through the artist dull drums with lousy weather. I like it when it's a little over cast but when I see an image the wind or rain picks up and there goes the photograph.
I've taken a 35mm camera for my walks in a shoulder bag but once the rain came so hard the camera got soaked. It was a cheap point and shoot.
I think I need some sun and a trip to were I can find some cactus or head over to the coast and do some time exposures.
I got some money coming my way and I will turn it around and resupply my 120 and 4x5 stock.
Thanks again.
RB

 

[Doubrovsky]

It is not about going somewhere or seeing something. That is something inside. When a zen monk achieves enlightenment he composes a verse. That verse becomes a document proving his achievement. Good photograph is like that kind of document - the proof of a certain state of mind when you see some special meaning beyond the surface of things.

 

[jordanstarr]

This probably won't work for you, but when I was a university student and working at the same time I was realizing that my life of free-time was nearing an end and it was seriously upsetting me. Photography for me was always a way to slow down my life and I hold that conviction so dear to my life it inspired me to cover half my arm in a tattoo that expressed that part of my life. When I look at it, it inspires me to get my $#!t together, give my head a shake a realize that photography adds value to my life. Sometimes it takes waking up at the crack of dawn 4 hours before work and taking a drive to that site that I've always said I would shoot for the last 3 months. I also keep a notebook in my backpack (which never leaves me by the way) and I write down things that I want to shoot. When the list gets too long, I eat a hearty breakfast early in the morning and shoot all day when I'm not working and put all that other "need to do" stuff behind me. The universal trick is motivation and sacrifice -you need to find what gets you up and shooting photos even if that means (dare I say it?) cancelling all subscriptions to online photography forums or changing your schedule. If you arn't willing to give a little for photography, maybe you're just not that into it, but only think you are?

 

[naeroscatu]

It is not about going somewhere or seeing something. That is something inside. When a zen monk achieves enlightenment he composes a verse. That verse becomes a document proving his achievement. Good photograph is like that kind of document - the proof of a certain state of mind when you see some special meaning beyond the surface of things.

I like that; with me it is a combination of what Doubrobsky said plus keep in mind that things happen out there all the time whether you are present or not. The simple fact of you moving your behind out puts you closer to these little events of life whether they involve people, trees, clouds or all of the above. To give you an example I went out after work last Fri in a park along Lake Ontario shoreline; it was dark, windy and cold (+7 deg C feeling like +2-3deg C). There was one in a million chance of anything to happen on such a gloomy day. I started to find excuses in my mind for the waste of time like a good few miles walk carrying my MF + 35mm gear and a heavy tripod is still a good exercise...:rolleyes: Out of the blue comes this group of young people with surfboards and neoprene costumes absolutely determined to ride on top of the high vaves despite the gloomy weather. Well, what do you know "F8 and be there" ... kind of. Fact is that I took few shots with my Leica IIIc on Kodak Tri-X and went home happy with a lesson learned. Yeah, it does come from inside, the drive I mean; otherwise there is always something to take picture of. Cheer up

 

[Mahler_one]

Abelardo Morell went through a period of having to stay home a lot to watch the kids, and produced some of his most interesting work that way. One of my favorite photographs is this one--

http://www.abelardomorell.net/otherphotos07.html

Great link...thanks for posting David.

Ed

 

[Eric Rose]

You can't do anything about the weather. A case in point it's snowing here right now. But what you can do is make an appointment with yourself for some Robert time on the weekend or some evening. Make it a firm thing and let the others work around it. As long as you don't abuse it I'm sure they will respect this.

 

[panastasia]

When I'm ready to make photographs I just go out, it is my first priority and nothing stops me. In my view you have to be single minded and even selfish by changing plans if the conditions are right for you may never get the same conditions again. When making landscape photographs I prefer to go out when the weather is inclement, even stormy, and wait at a location for the weather to break.

I know that I am very lucky in having a wife who understands my need to do what I do and encourages me to do it.

Les, you seem to know the answer: "when I'm ready.... it is my first priority....nothing stops me". That's the best advice for the OP, and I also needed to hear someone to say it that way. You motivated me, I've been ready for awhile. Thanks!

The "inertia", yes, I understand that also, and how quickly it sets in, in reference to a different post in this thread.

Paul

 

[mark]

I think I need some sun and a trip to were I can find some cactus or head over to the coast and do some time exposures.

RB

I think this might be OUR problem.

 

[MattKing]

You can't do anything about the weather. A case in point it's snowing here right now. But what you can do is make an appointment with yourself for some Robert time on the weekend or some evening. Make it a firm thing and let the others work around it. As long as you don't abuse it I'm sure they will respect this.

Even snow isn't an insurmountable barrier (especially if you have a covered entrance to your building)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Note as well that for this photo I was using a 70+ year old camera that I had originally used about 40 years previously. As a result, there was added interest and enjoyment, just because of the opportunity to try something in a different way.

In other threads on similar subjects, some have suggested going back to older, simpler cameras (Holga?) in order to reignite some enthusiasm.

Some times just a small change can be enough to make the difference.

Matt

 

[panastasia]

.....In other threads on similar subjects, some have suggested going back to older, simpler cameras (Holga?) in order to reignite some enthusiasm.

Some times just a small change can be enough to make the difference.

Matt

Good thought! I've been going low-tech for some time in the outback; analog photography, mechanical camera, monochrome film, selenium (no batteries) meter, topo map, magnetic compass, aneroid altimeter (who needs GPS?), all stuffed in a backpack. It adds to the enthusiasm and fun, as an new experiment, and keeps me out of the mainstream culture.

Paul

 

[jp80874]

AH... I walk 5 to 6 miles a day/4 to 5 days a week ....
It's finding something to excite my eye.
As Stiglitz wrote:
"Seeing needs practice--Just like photography."

Now that we know you are off the couch we can work with what is functioning. In my retirement I have taken 15 photography related courses at the art school of the University of Akron, Ohio, the town where I happen to live. Starting in Photo 1 they tell the students to do a small related series of five or six pictures. They give them the first subject, "Light is the Subject". As the students progress into the third course they are required to finish by presenting a related series of twenty, 11x14 or larger images, matted and over matted. Once they get over the hurdle of supply costs many of the students anguish for weeks over what the subject should be.

We are blessed with a wealthy benefactor who brings in name photographers for lectures, critiques and general working with the students. Magnum photographer Martin Parr with 42 books to his name was the most recent. I don't pretend to understand his style, but in lecturing he said that it is not the technology, the expertise, but the ideas that are the hardest to find and that produce the most saleable work.

The opposite side of that is the old teacher story that every year they send the beginning art students out into the garden and sculpture yard with instructions to paint, sculpt, sketch, photograph what ever interests them. They work with the ones who come back with something, what ever it is. They shoot the ones that come back in an hour and say they couldn’t find anything interesting. It is felt that their cadavers will only be of use to the nursing school.

“It's finding something to excite my eye.” Only you can do it. Look in our gallery at all the fascinating subjects our members are producing. Go to the library and look at the art books, photography, sculpture, architecture, hobby, etc. The subjects are there for you to find.

John Powers

 

[removed account4]

hi robert

family obligations often pull me away from going out to take photographs as well.
last year i decided to photograph on the way to and from these obligations
as i am shackled to the passenger seat.

there is a whole lot to see and photograph when we can't "get out" ... here are a few ideas

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

good luck!
john

 

[pquser]

carry a loaded camera ALWAYS and the pictures will be there if you are observant enough to see them.

My best shot last month was taken in my back kitchen.the light was there and I saw it.
a simple shot of a table with a vase of flowers took me less than 5 mins to shoot.
doesn't matter too much about the image quality it's just the buz of doing it.

I have an olympus xa loaded with hp5 and it never leaves my pocket. £29 on eaby.

just keep looking and thinking....some sort of self identifed project may work for you
It could take weeks / months to complete or go on for ever. if it keeps you shooting who cares.


pcuser.Rochdale uk.

 

[fordfanjpn]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the really positive posts in this thread. For a while now I have using the same excuses to avoid shooting - too busy at work, too many obligations at home, too tired on the weekends - and I needed the inspiration this group has provided. And as I get older (I'll be 58 in a few weeks), I do realize that I can't keep putting things off indefinitely. So this little kick in the butt is very much appreciated. Keep it up!

Bill

 

[Struan Gray]

I was going to recommend Friedlander's "Stems" and Kertesz's "The Polaroids" for inspiration, but I see Bjorke already did in the other thread.

http://www.photoeye.com/templates/mShowDetailsbycatAmazon.cfm?Catalog=PK889&i=1891024485

http://www.photoeye.com/templates/mShowDetailsbycatAmazon.cfm?Catalog=NT220&i=0393065642

The Kertesz book is one of the most beautiful things I own.

 

[Robert Brummitt]

Yesterday was a reprieve.

The sun came out for a little while and I did some photography. Felt great to get out by myself and play with my camera.
But better yet, a package was waiting for me. A book I bought on ebay titled "Interviews with Master Photographers" I jumped right in and read Minor Whites thoughts about creative photography. The book also has Brett Weston, Imogene Cunningham, Elliot Erwitt, Arnold Newman and more.
I hope to gather new ideas from this book and from the others you all had mentioned.
Thanks

 

[Paul Goutiere]

We live in a very photogenic place. As well, I can and most often do, walk to work. I will usually take a camera, just in case.

Last night we had THREE feet of snow, which is a little unusual for this place.

I think I'll take a camera to work.

 

[Jim Noel]

Since I will soon complete my 80th trip around the sun I never go out to photograph alone. I have taught myself to look more carefully at the light on objects in the house and at things in the garden and the neighbors gardens. Now I do something photographically every day.

 

[rcoda]

First thing I did, was move out of Jersey

What I do now, in Arizona is:

Keep my 4x5 viewfinder cutout in the car ALL the time, along with a notebook, just in case I see something. I usually look through it whenever I'm stuck at a light. I also recently bought a personal voice recorder to make mental notes to myself as I do tend to forget things a lot.

I try to take my Nikon D300 with me most of the time, again, just in case, as a scouting tool, to later come back with the big boys (4x5 and 8x10)

I set aside a time each week to photograph... at sunrise on Sunday mornings I'm out the door, usually to downtown Phoenix or some of the older business areas. I'm usually back by 10:30-11:00 AM, even earlier in summer.

 

[pentaxuser]

I took Melchi (17 months now) and the 8x10" camera out at the same time a couple of weeks ago, and he was okay harnessed to my chest under the darkcloth. .

I hope that in several years time you will explain to Melchi what used to happen to him. Otherwise in about 60 yrs time he tells his great grandkids: "You get strange notions when you're a baby. Time seemed to really fly then. I'll swear that sunrise and sunsets happened in a matter of moments"

pentaxuser

 

[el wacho]

'home photography' by andrew sanderson. recommended reading.

 

[tac]

Think about what my dad used to tell me when I was young;
Hell boy, any dumb*** can NOT do it!

A Wise Man, that one.

 

[kuad]

andrew sanderson has some interesting night images.

 

[kuad]

interesting......