What inspires you?
All too often, I hear about photographers who have simply grown bored with what they’re shooting. It all becomes the same, and there’s no fire left to the craft. I find that terribly sad, especially when it leads to some quitting entirely something they once loved.
Perhaps I’m the strange one (but then, I pride myself on not fitting in), but I don’t quite understand how this happens.
For me, I’m inspired by every little thing around me. It’s difficult to go anywhere without a camera; I want to shoot everything! From my kitties at home to a particularly fluffy cloud. From a reflection that catches my eye to the simple art of mere garbage.
I get strange looks from Aaron all the time, and I always tell him, “Never question a photographer’s inspiration!” I’ve shot rocks and footprints, raindrops and bike spokes. I’m mesmerized by reflections, and I’m giddy over colors. Everything fascinates me, and every day is a new Christmas.
It helps that I love life and I see beauty in all things around me. I take hundreds of bad photos and occasionally strike upon something truly remarkable. I shy away from what everyone else shoots, and I strive to make an impact with something new.
It also helps that I’m interested in so many different things. I find euphoria in an epic landscape, but I’m immensely entertained by candid moments that come from events. I love the magnificence of wildlife, and I’m intrigued by details. I could go in so many different directions, that when I tire of one area, I simply dabble in another for a while.
One of the things I’d love to do is create a photography “bucket list” – experiments I’d love to play around with – and start trying them out. These could include light painting and double exposures, infrared and focus stacking. The world of photography is so vast; the possibilities are anything but pedestrian. I could never be bored!
What inspires you? And what do you think I should try next?
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We have common views on photography, I carry my pocket camera everywhere since retiring and take maybe 100 shots per day. I seem to walk slower, notice everything, especially the little things, the shapes, the colours, the light. I also seem to spend ages looking at buildings, the architecture, structures. I seek out history and culture. But rarely people! My camera changed my life!
I also have a commuter camera I take with me everywhere. Photography enhances my experiences, so I love having it with me!
My inspiration comes from history/culture mostly. Not something I ever studied at university but something we are surrounded by in England and Europe especially. Local churches here in England opened my eyes to medieval times and we have scores of them in a 10 Miles radius. I learned about orders of monks, the Black Death, the Dissolution, all through my camera lens. We have just finished travelling around sites related to The Industrial Revolution in England, and next week go south for a re-enactment of The Battle of Hastings. Sorry, probably boring you to tears, but my point is to find a topic you enjoy reading about, learning, observing. Then go photograph it. Last year we got interested in Museums and art galleries and learned so much across Europe and USA, especially in Denver about Native American Indian culture.
Not boring at all! I agree with you; it’s important to photograph what interests you, and in doing so, you learn more about your subject. I also found the history fascinating when I visited London and the surrounding areas, and I find travel, learning, and photography all go hand-in-hand. Castles, countrysides, and even the people can show a lot about a place’s history and culture, and it’s fun to photograph it all. Thanks for stopping by!
[…] LotsaSmiles Photography WC: Anything but Uninspired […]
I love how varied your subjects are! It seems you can photograph anything.
I thought my blog would be more photography than it has been, as I have a little Olympus mirrorless with macro lens, but it’s turned out I’m a little obsessed with adding words to the photos; the words predominate these days. It will probably change when I run out of words – because as we know we shall NEVER run out of photographs right? 🙂
Thank you, Diana! There’s certainly nothing wrong with being inspired by words. I can be a bit verbose at times, too! And I think both photographs and words will continue to be in adequate supply 😉
i find this so relatable! i love taking photos so much! i don’t always make the time to anymore (three kids will do that) but when i feel the urge i come up with a cute photo shoot to do with them and then there more helpful than unhelpful. i do need to make a point to go out on my own and snap some pictures though…
I understand how life can run away with us! I find I never set aside time for photography; it’s such an integrated part of my life that it simply happens. It’s the editing/blogging/sharing that I have to think about, but that’s fun too!
You have inspired me .. ???? Thank you
I’m so glad! 🙂