finding inspiration - DPChallenge Forums

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

11/12/2010 12:24:16 PM · #1

I live in NJ, its probably the most unphotogenic state in the union. I am desperately trying to find areas to shoot, in fact i have been finding myself dragging the family to aquariums, zoos etc, just to take photos. I bring my camera everywhere with me just hoping something will strike my fancy. i am so jealous of some of the folks here who live is beautiful areas with so much to photo (Iceland, anyone???).

I am dying to plan a vacation to a scenic place just to take photos, but that may be a while since i have two little ones and the wife isnt ready to leave to youngest yet.

im not a big in home setup guy, i like to get outside and snap. I thought about taking a long photo taking bike ride one day, but i cant get motivated becuase of my locale.

now that summer is over, its hard to get excited about taking pictures, im dying for snow already just for something new.

the challenge themes have been too vague as of late and i need something to keep my focus.

this is more of a rant, but i was wondering how do you find good subject matter?

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

11/12/2010 12:29:43 PM · #2

If there's no pretty -- I'd go look for the ugly. Perhaps find the ugly, gritty, depressing, intriguing stuff?

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

11/12/2010 12:31:30 PM · #3

Never been to the States, but isn't New York partly in New Jersey, and isn't the state on the coast - must be opportunities there, surely? That said, I have no idea of milage.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/12/2010 12:34:27 PM · #4

Originally posted by SaraR:

Never been to the States, but isn't New York partly in New Jersey, and isn't the state on the coast - must be opportunities there, surely? That said, I have no idea of milage.

im going to NYC the weekend after thanksgiving, definitely bringing the camera.

the thing is, in the summer it was easy to drag the kids to the outside locales like the beach, state parks, etc. but now that's its getting colder, its hard to find places to go.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/12/2010 12:38:07 PM · #5

"Inspiration is for amateurs -- the rest of us just show up and get to work."

-- Chuck Close, Painter (heard on the Charlie Rose Show)

When in doubt and with little to shoot (I've been housebound for the past two weeks) I usually start shooting macros, concentrating on details and shapes, rather than worrying about a "subject" ... playing around with wacky post-processing can help too -- check out the current Flip and Blend thread ...

mycelium

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

11/12/2010 12:38:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by vawendy:

If there's no pretty -- I'd go look for the ugly. Perhaps find the ugly, gritty, depressing, intriguing stuff?

Ditto this. You don't need waterfalls and rainbows to take good pictures.

Also, you might find out, after some experimentation, that you're more of an "in home setup guy" than you think ~_~

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/12/2010 12:39:16 PM · #7

Focuspoint started one about a week ago for going out and finding some interesting shots within a block. One street, bunch of pictures SC. I spent a lunch hour exploring the parking garage at work and actually found some unique ways of looking at common, dull things.

I'll bet you can find more stuff in Jersey than you think is there. A quick search on Flickr turned up the South Jersey Photographers, which appears to be a meetup group, and pretty active, judging from the recent discussions.

Message edited by author 2010-11-12 12:40:57.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/12/2010 12:42:20 PM · #8

I just bought a book "50 photo projects" that has some great ideas for to get you out shooting.

Or maybe its just perspective you need:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZYlQ4Wv8lE

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/12/2010 12:44:00 PM · #9

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I belong to a meetup group on Flickr. We get together once a month for a main meetup somewhere interesting, sometimes we have mini meetups. We'll meet at the designated time, run around taking photos for a couple of hours and then usually go to lunch or dinner somewhere nearby and talk photo stuff while we eat and chimp. You can also find similar meetup groups on meetup.com. Seeing what others do with the same subject can give you ideas. I also belong to a general group for my area, the D/FW Metro Group, and I often see things that others have shot locally that I also want to photograph. Sometimes I'll save the subject for when an appropriate challenge comes along.

Some of the side challenges here can offer inspiration. Focuspoint started one about a week ago for going out and finding some interesting shots within a block. One street, bunch of pictures SC. I spent a lunch hour exploring the parking garage at work and actually found some unique ways of looking at common, dull things.

I'll bet you can find more stuff in Jersey than you think is there. A quick search on Flickr turned up the South Jersey Photographers, which appears to be a meetup group, and pretty active, judging from the recent discussions.

thanks i'll have to check that out, and i have been looking into the side challenges.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

11/12/2010 12:44:18 PM · #10

I also go to the zoo's & aquarium, etc. And there's usually lots to shoot in Philly. Where at in Jersey are you? Maybe we can do a meet up sometime & go find something to shoot.

eta: There's also a meetup group that meets at the Cherry Hill Library the first Wednesday of each month. Dues are $5 per attended meeting (you only pay when you go). They have 2 contests (usually one themed, one free study), winner gets 1/4 the collected dues per contest, the rest goes towards paying for the space, speakers, etc. It's a large, fun group that does many things throughout the year. I haven't gone since last year when I moved out of CH, but it is a good group.

Message edited by author 2010-11-12 12:49:49.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/12/2010 12:49:04 PM · #11

Originally posted by Kelli:

I also go to the zoo's & aquarium, etc. And there's usually lots to shoot in Philly. Where at in Jersey are you? Maybe we can do a meet up sometime & go find something to shoot.

i work in Philly, i live about 25 mins away, directly east of the airport.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

11/12/2010 12:51:05 PM · #12

Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by Kelli:
I also go to the zoo's & aquarium, etc. And there's usually lots to shoot in Philly. Where at in Jersey are you? Maybe we can do a meet up sometime & go find something to shoot.

i work in Philly, i live about 25 mins away, directly east of the airport.

You're probably fairly close to me then. I'm in Clementon.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/12/2010 12:56:43 PM · #13

i used to live in Sicklerville.

TrollMan

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

11/12/2010 01:05:46 PM · #14

Get your iPod and headphones out. Put on some music you like and walk/drive the streets. I see the world differently with different types of music and get inspiration. It sets the mood. You'll see new things. Try it!

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

11/12/2010 01:06:17 PM · #15

Originally posted by mike_311:

...i was wondering how do you find good subject matter?

Try not to look for "subject matter" at all, never mind trying to tell "good" from "not so good". That should eliminate the "problem". Just look through the camera or the shape of your viewfinder mimicked by hand or fingers or...
Squint your eyes to filter out the habitual humdrum, colour and other potential distractions. Try to see shapes, shadows, texture, line or volume (form). Try to see an image in black and white or colour only. Pay attention to the light, the play and angle of it (at around 90Âº to camera perspective, say) and discover the change, contrast, tones (b+w) or hues (chroma). Look at things under different conditions, again, mind the light, weather, movement and other changes over time.

And don't be too self-conscious when on a shoot. Give the muse a little chance, yes?

Message edited by author 2010-11-12 13:13:55.