Inspiration Needed!

[Michael_2010]

I’m kind of going through a burnout with my local landscape. I love getting out at daybreak, or sitting on a beach and waiting for the sun to drop, but I have been all over two counties at least twice now. When I start thinking about going out to get some shots, my mind runs through the whole process. I already know where the sun will be and what topographical features are available. After hashing it around in my head for a while, I will think to heck with it.

Without planning a trip out of my area, what can I do to get inspired? Should I load up a bunch of props in the SUV and revisit some locations with those in-tow? Help me to start thinking more creatively with regard to landscapes.

[nicled]

Do the same but expand coverage not only to landscapes but others like sand & rock formations, shells, cloudscapes, and anything that you can see. No need for props. Shoot your vehicle when the sun sets, shoot beyond the usual, use flash, etc.

[navcom]

Man do I know where you are coming from! I go through this every season change. I find myself wandering to the same old "haunts" only to be disappointed that nothing is new.

For me the secret is going smaller. Stop looking at the landscape from a big perspective and start looking at the little details. I actually have an exercise I do where I drive to the middle of nowhere, park the truck, get out, and just look around for small details...colors, textures, lines, etc. and try to expand from there. I find the unusual rock, the weird pattern in the tall grass, the unusual thing out there in the field, etc. Then I figure out if it's possible to include a wider composition as well as when the light will be the best. I usually try to pick a spot that I might not consider a good landscape location.

It's amazing how many times I walk away with something very interesting and my whole perspective changes...until I wear that one out too.

My biggest issues usually surround the fact that the interesting shot is almost always on somebody's land and I'm not always game to start asking folks if I can trample all over their property for a picture. And during the winter?...there's friggin 3 feet of snow everywhere making it almost impossible to get anywhere for different vantage points.

Ahhh, but sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination!

[Old Cowgirl]

I have gotten so that I shoot from where ever I am when the sun goes down or comes up. I just take a ride and look for something different. The coastline is always a great place but so are some roads that lead off into the sunset. Some little breaks in the tree line..maybe over a pasture fence. That is what I look for this time of year. Hope this helps.

[Michael_2010]

Thanks so much! Many of your collective ideas are very helpful.

One of my problems is that I think I have composed a shot in my head and have not found the location within reasonable driving distance to give me what I want. So, I am inevitably a little disappointed when I go out looking and can't make it happen. I need to break that thought process and become more spontaneous.

[Krusty79]

60 Sources of Inspiration for Photography

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

One of my problems is that I think I have composed a shot in my head and have not found the location within reasonable driving distance to give me what I want. So, I am inevitably a little disappointed when I go out looking and can't make it happen. I need to break that thought process and become more spontaneous.

It's much better to have this problem than the other way around! You are planning ahead and having a vision. This is what usually makes the best images. Luck only goes so far. As I think Ben Franklin said, "I believe in luck, and the harder I work, the more luck I have".

[RichardTaylor]

Mike,
I think you are right, instead of pre planning everything just go for a walk or go to an area just sit quietly and take it all in including details.
After a while you will see pictures everywhere.
Don't overload yourself with gear, maybe take just one lens, that focus relatively close and possibly a tripod if you are taking a macro lens.

Sometimes you may find an area that can be a gold mine over time.
For example;
We take our son to martial arts twice a week (1 hour on a weekday afternoon, and 1.5 hours on a weekend morning) to a suburb that that is fairly leafy and has a large village green. We just walk the area with a camera. Sometimes I will have a particular subject in mind (mostly urban nature) ,depending on what we have seen during a previous visit, so I will have an appropriate lens. Sometimes I may just take a P&S camera especially in autumn.
Very occasionally we strike gold, sometimes I may have only one keeper.

I can post some pics from the area if you like.

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by navcom

It's much better to have this problem than the other way around! You are planning ahead and having a vision. This is what usually makes the best images. Luck only goes so far. As I think Ben Franklin said, "I believe in luck, and the harder I work, the more luck I have".

The last year has been a pretty steep learning curve for me and digital cameras. At first just getting anything that looked somewhat interesting and properly exposed was a thrill. Now, I'm much more critical of the potential subject and want something I have not found yet. Or, I have found things that will not be properly aligned with the sun until later in the year. I need to loosen up and get some of the fun back into this expensive hobby! lol

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Mike,
I think you are right, instead of pre planning everything just go for a walk or go to an area just sit quietly and take it all in including details.
After a while you will see pictures everywhere.
Don't overload yourself with gear, maybe take just one lens, that focus relatively close and possibly a tripod if you are taking a macro lens.

Sometimes you may find an area that can be a gold mine over time.
For example;
We take our son to martial arts twice a week (1 hour on a weekday afternoon, and 1.5 hours on a weekend morning) to a suburb that that is fairly leafy and has a large village green. We just walk the area with a camera. Sometimes I will have a particular subject in mind (mostly urban nature) ,depending on what we have seen during a previous visit, so I will have an appropriate lens. Sometimes I may just take a P&S camera especially in autumn.
Very occasionally we strike gold, sometimes I may have only one keeper.

I can post some pics from the area if you like.

Always enjoy looking at your work Richard. I especially like your botanical macros.

I hear ya on the idea of being open to the possibilities. A couple of weeks ago I pretty much spent the day at a park along side the bay. Didn't get a single keeper out of the bunch.

My best shot was of a Mallard hen, but it was just a picture of a duck. Sharp focus with a decent DOF, but it was still just a shot of a common duck. I did get a strange looking one of some tree roots next to the duck pond. Not really sure how I feel about that one. I may post it when I get home today and get some feedback.