Today I am starting a new series of topics on the blog called “creativity boosters” to help you be more creative and find new subjects to photograph.
Sometimes it is enough to go to an interesting location, find a great subject, and fire away. In fact that’s what I do most of the time. I’ll just choose a location and see what catches my eye when I get there.
But sometimes that doesn’t work. It happens to all of us. We get in a bit of rut and find ourselves wandering aimlessly trying to find a good subject to photograph and sometimes coming home empty handed.
I hate that. It just doesn’t feel right to go out ready for a great day of photography and then come home without having taken the camera out of the bag.
There is a way out of this kind of subject paralysis: boosting your creativity by limiting choices.
I think part of the problem is that we have too many choices. We have a whole arsenal of lenses, tons of subjects to choose from, but nothing catches our attention enough to settle on it as a subject. The solution is to limit your choices before you go out.
With this in mind, the “creativity boosters” will help you settle on an idea before you go out and let that idea drive your eye to find the subject.
So let’s get started! Take this idea, grab your camera, and see what new subjects you can find.
Creativity Booster #1: Textures
This is one of my favourite creativity boosters because I personally tend to get in a rut on white sky days when I cannot do the sunset/sunrise/twilight seascapes or cityscapes that I love. Texture subjects are great in diffused light and, depending on the subject, sidelight can work great too.
Here are some ideas for finding great textures:
Marinas
My Dad was a fisherman so I know all I have to do is go to my parents back yard to find a plethora of junk (or “treasures” as my Dad would say) to photograph. Either here or down at fisherman’s wharf there are always lots of fenders, lines, traps, nets, lures and other treasures that make great subjects for close-ups.
Rust or peeling paint
Speaking of junk, old junk is even better. If you have a local historical society there will many treasures for you there. Look for rust patterns on old trucks, tractors, or signs or peeling paint on old buildings.
Rocks
Keep your eye out for interesting rocks like little pebbles on the beach or chunks of shale or slate, get in close and fill the frame.
Trees
Trees usually have interesting patterns of bark or you can get under them and shoot up at the leaves. Don’t forget to look down and see what has fallen from the tree that might have a great texture too.
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Brick walls or rock walls
A stroll around any city should give you lots of subjects to work with when it comes to the surface of buildings, walls around gardens, or even the sidewalk.
Sand
Every beach seems to have its own sand texture.
Tips:
- make your image at a 90 degree angle so your subject is flat in the frame
- fill the frame with the texture
- consider the distance between you and the subject so you get enough detail in the frame (don’t get too close)
- use an f stop like f/8 or f/11 to make sure everything is in focus and sharp
If you like this post, don’t forget to “pin it”!
Fantastic article, Anne. Informative and well written. You’ve given me some ideas for a future photo shoot!
Thank you very much Fred, I’m really glad you found it useful and I hope you find lots of new things to photograph now!
Can always count on you for great ideas. Super article
Thank you so much Larry, I really appreciate that.
Excellent advice. Textures come from all those small bites of the environment around us. I think we so often miss them because we are too busy looking at the bigger picture. Weel written Anne
Hi Andy, exactly! But it’s the small details that sometimes contain the most beauty isn’t it? Thanks for your comments.
Great advice Anne. I think some of us have a “wide eye” (I include myself in that group) and often forget about zooming in and capturing the textures.
Hi Len, yes you are right. I find I only look for the textures when I cannot find anything else, but really there are textures all around us that can often give a real sense of a place. Thanks for your comments.
Finally! A tip I already knew! I do this all the time. I would also include that snow also makes interesting patterns, as well as tracks in the snow from machines or skiers. I live in Vermont. Lots of opportunities!
I also find it gives me a different experience focusing on this while at Disney World! (we go a lot) LOTS of great textures everywhere you turn. My wife thinks I’m crazy taking a close picture of a stand of bamboo at Animal Kingdom, or the sidewalk etc, but then loves the image once she sees what I saw.
The images for my windows desktop are mostly textures I captured. Good tips Anne!
Thanks Jon, I’m glad you enjoyed the article even though you already knew about the tip 🙂 Disney world sounds like great place to get close up photos of all sorts of things. I have never been there. Also, snow is amazing, especially if you have a macro lens and can get in close on the crystals. Thank you very much for your comments Jon!
Great advice, Anne. Serves as a reminder to not only look at the big picture, but to look for smaller slices of the areas we are working. We seem to forget about this, I know I have gotten away from it.
I has started a collection of patterns and such to use as background. Haven’t added to it in some time. 😉 This is a good exercise and wonderful post!
Thank you very much for your kind comments Jimi, I’m really glad you enjoyed the post!
Excellent post Anne. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you Edith, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Nice post Anne, good tips. I just posted a similar topic on my blog. This is a great time of year to explore your creative options!
Hi Alan, yes you are so right, this dreary time of year when it seems like there’s nothing to photograph except maybe puddles. I have driven all the way down to California and so far it’s still raining!! Thanks for your comments Alan, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Ironically it’s nice and sunny here for the next several days, although a bit chilly.
This was a great post Anne. I’m just starting towards a degree in Photography. I’d never even thought of looking at the “smaller picture ” before. I actually made a trip to a local junkyard yesterday. I got excited when I started looking around and cosidering all the great possibilities for photos. Problem is when I start shooting I just can’t seem to stop…lol. Thanks again for a great idea.
Shirley
Hi Shirley, when that happens, when you start shooting and can’t seem to stop, that’s when you know you’re on the right track! When you loose yourself and all sense of time in it because you’re having so much fun you know you’re doing the right thing for you. Junkyards are great places to find unique subjects to photograph. Thank you very much for your visit and comments!
Anne,
That’s exactly what happens to me no matter what I’m taking photos of. I start and I can’t seem to stop myself. I do lose all track of time. I just wander around and keep looking for subjects to shoot. I can be gone for hours it seems. I do have one question for you. I have a Nikon D40, I have it set to manual mode. I’m trying to get away from just “aim and shoot”. My question is, how do I get the entire frame in focus? It seems that most times just part of the photo is in focus and part not. I’m not talking about the foreground versus the background. I mean, for instance, I tried to shoot the hood of a car, the middle was in focus and the outside edges weren’t. It’s driving me nuts. I don’t know how to set the f-stops or aperture. I’m not even sure you can on this camera. Can you help me figure this out?
Thanks again,
Shirley
Hello Anne,
I am impressed by your wanderings and the native experiences you take in through your senses as well as through a lens. I particularly like the landscapes.
This one is an interesting article! Thanks!
Warmly,
Sujat.
Hi Sujat, thank you very much, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I am really enjoying my new life as a nomad and highly recommend it!
Anne as a beginner, I find I am drawn to texture, however often I must be too close or something because the camera will not click. Can you give me an idea of lens to use and the distance needed for it to take? I have an 18-55mm, 28-75 2.8, and 55-200. Or perhaps a specific book/tutorial that speaks to this beginners dilema! HA!
Hi Sona, every lens has a minimum focussing distance. It is usually written on the outside of the lens. For example, my 70-300mm lens has a minimum focussing distance of 1.5meters, which is about 5 feet. It will not focus on anything closer than 5 feet away from the end of the lens. If you are too close, the lens will not lock on to the focus and then you will not be able to release the shutter. You’ll just press the button and nothing happens. Try backing away from the subject and then zooming in closer. I hope that helps!
thank you Anne
You are very welcome Sona!
I am simply learning and learning. When I read your tutorials so much becomes CLEAR! Please don’t stop.
Thanks Joy! It’s great to hear that my tutorials are helpful for you. That makes it all worthwhile!