Grass always greener ?

[iwatkins]

Just a little ramble.

I live in Worcestershire, UK. It is probably one of the nicer areas of the UK. I shoot a lot in my local area and I get some great pictures (well, I think so).

However, I look through "Share Photos" and think, wow, my area isn't anywhere near as interesting as all these places the others guys and gals shoot.

Is it just me ? I.e. am I so used to my surroundings that they become less interesting photographically ? Is it the same for everyone else ? Is the grass always greener.... ?

Cheers

Ian

[SoCal69]

That is probably a small part of it. Another factor I think, is that we never take the time to notice or appreciate the tree from the forest. I often think that there is nothing interesting around photographically. But if you take the time to just notice (really notice) things around you... a bird, a flower, a shape, a color, an angle or a point of view...anything and everything suddenly becomes interesting. Take the time away from everything else and just wander around looking!

[RichardtheSane]

I have spent ages in my local area (I mean walking distance) and the only decent shots Ihave got so far are of the hound legging it round the field.
If I get in the card I can find places, but if I walk, zip.
I just bought a G5 as a carry everywhere camera in a hope that some places I wouldn't take my 10D may have some opportunities....

I agree with you ian, but just to be sure do you want to swap locations for a day :)

[Sunshine]

I was feeling the same way about where I live so I went to the local library and check out a travel book about the state I live in (Maryland). Even though I have lived here my entire life, I forget about all the wonderful places to photgraph. Now I've been busy mapping out places to photograph as soon as the weather warms up. (We have been in a deep freeze lately and I hate cold weather).
Dana

[pradeep1]

Yes, the grass is greener on the other side.

[timmyquest]

Just a little ramble.

I live in Worcestershire, UK. It is probably one of the nicer areas of the UK. I shoot a lot in my local area and I get some great pictures (well, I think so).

However, I look through "Share Photos" and think, wow, my area isn't anywhere near as interesting as all these places the others guys and gals shoot.

Is it just me ? I.e. am I so used to my surroundings that they become less interesting photographically ? Is it the same for everyone else ? Is the grass always greener.... ?

Cheers

Ian

I was actually thinking the same thing today when i was walking in my town and realized just how many pictures really are there. Sure they arnt sweeping green hills, and they arent senic ocean views, nor are they busy highways that give cool long night shots...but rather i was thinking outside of hte box and there are alot of buildings in my town that are screaming for attention.

Just gotta keep that eye open, think out side of the box.

[Scottes]

I was feeling the same way about where I live so I went to the local library and check out a travel book about the state I live in (Maryland). Even though I have lived here my entire life, I forget about all the wonderful places to photgraph.

I've done the same thing in Massachusetts. Try looking for some "Nature Walks" or hiking books. (Stay away from the "Visit xxx" books as they seem to be mostly historic places or things to do.) Check out the local Audubon Society. Look for Land and Wildlife Conservation groups and locations. Check out the local Fish & Wildlife agency for wildlife management areas. Look for National Wildlife Refuges. Do a Google for gardens in your area. Check into local Butterfly clubs - hunting butterflies will also bring you to some pretty places with lots of flowers and such. Check for local State Parks and read the descriptions looking for some interesting aspects and features.

I've lived in Massachusetts for 40 years and barely thought about all these things. When I got the camera and started checking the above list I literally found hundreds of places I wanted to visit. I'm [very slowly] building a website to keep track of all the places that sound interesting.

There's a whole 'nother world out there if you look.

[TeraGram93013]

I agree that getting the tourist information is very helpful (says she, near Santa Barbara). But another thing to do is to change your perspective.

When I was hitting the limits of the capabilities of my Fuji I desperately needed to "re-view" my world lest I become so frustrated with that camera that I forego photography all-togeher. For a time I shot every picture from 6" or less off the ground. hoooo boy did I get strange looks from passerby. "What in the world is that woman doing lying on the sidewalk?" heh

Another fun exercise is to use a hand-mirror to view a rectangular reflection of the world about you. This can be both frustrating and mind bending.

And if all else fails, look at your world at different times of the day than you are used to. Do you shoot mostly in the evening? Go out at midnight. Do a lot of early afternoon shots? Go out at sunrise.

[Laziferous]

I'm with Sunshine, and Scottes on this one. I also live in Maryland. I usually don't find anything very interesting in my immediate neighborhood, but I love walking up the street a way, or riding my bike to a local park/trail. I also am waiting for the warm weather to break, so I can further explore my state (in my kayak :D ). The city is a world in itself, and always offers a plethora of opportunities. Although I prefer the State Parks, and natural areas to walk/ride through. I can always entertain myself with IR, and macro shots until the weather warms up. I'm actually going on a hike today through a potion of Gunpowder State Park. Maybe I'll grab a few snaps today.

If interested, all of the shots in my little "gallery" (that's a stretch) were taken here in my home state. It's the Some Stuff... link in my signature. I think there's like 5 pages or so.

Anyway, just have fun, that's what it's all about. If it's not, then why do it? I got bored with it (photography), and took a month or so off. Now I'm ready to get out there and get some shots. It's fun again.

Go out there and have some fun, then show us what you bring back!

[John_T]

Amazing things happen when you start shooting different angles of your own doorstep, macro of a top of a moldy post, details of an old stump, tire tread on your car against the tread marks in the snow/sand, clouds in the sky, rafters in a barn, inside of a garbage can, portraits of your neighbor's pet tarantulla, stones under the water of a shallow creek, macro of green bottle flies on a pile of doggy doo, different angles of sun on the water, dead weeds in a field. It's endless and always there everywhere, something new waiting for you to discover it.

Walk around with one eye closed like a cyclops camera, masking things out with your hands. Capture shots in your brain. After a week of this, pick up your camera...

[John_T]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting/data//500/20945Stonesinastreem.jpg

[maderito]

Ian,

Thought about your post today as I shot this @ 17 mm through a sunporch window aimed at my backyard! The oaks are 75+ feet tall and the hemloks laden with heavy snow are 25+ feet. No way I'd recognize this as a shot in my own backyard. Perhaps a very average image (:? worse than average :( ) but still one that is quite unfamiliar even though I've lived here 15+ years. The very odd things is that I can't judge the image because too much of it is vaguely familar and thus only mildly interesting to me.

http://display.lifepics.com/imgdisp.asp?filespec=%60foxhx2cuxmwdogx%5D9%3C%3D8 %3B9dOjeOrmlfFZYd7%3B%3E92tso%0B51%3A%40%3D5%13382 53%3E

[timmyquest]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting/data//500/20945Stonesinastreem.jpg

Stunning...

[stopbath]

The grass is green on both sides of the fence, but the grass on the other side is not familiar...

When touring our locale, we are used to the sights and become oblivious to them. We sometimes need to use our 'fresh eyes'... see things as if for the very first time.

Also, when walking about, be on the look out for patterns and textures, not just the unusual.

[John_T]

Well said Stopbath.

Thanks Timmy.

[Scottes]

I'm often out in the woods and got into a depressed state becuase I had "nothing to shoot." So I gave myself a project which made me think about stuff and see *something* which I had overlooked many time before.

I walked out to a patch of wods where I'd been many times, and walked a ways, looking at nothing, seeing nothing. At some point I decided to stop walking and begin the project: Take 10 steps, and take a picture. Whatever I could see, didn't matter, but I took a picture of something from that spot. It kinda made me look around a bit and see things I always overlooked in the past. It made me think when looking, and see the things I had overlooked in the past.

Another option to the above could be to have a list: color, pattern, texture, lines, etc, etc. Stop, and look for the first item on the list, and take a picture. Take 10 steps and look for the next item on the list.

Another would be to have some variations - use a macro lens but take 2 steps, or use a tele and take 25 steps.

[Canuck]

Just a little ramble.

I live in Worcestershire, UK. It is probably one of the nicer areas of the UK. I shoot a lot in my local area and I get some great pictures (well, I think so).

However, I look through "Share Photos" and think, wow, my area isn't anywhere near as interesting as all these places the others guys and gals shoot.

Is it just me ? I.e. am I so used to my surroundings that they become less interesting photographically ? Is it the same for everyone else ? Is the grass always greener.... ?

Cheers

Ian

Ian,
You cound be in the Fens where the dirt is blacker of the other side, or the sting in the spring is worse on the other side. This mate is farmland! You get the picture. I'd go to Worcs vs the Fens. I feel the same way too to some extent. Maybe it is a you need to get out of the local area. Here's an idea...when the weater gets nicer, go to the Cotswolds. I really fell in love with that area! I really like Burford, Stow, Stow-on-the-Wold and that area. You my have just become so used to a sight it isn't anything anymore. Ok, here is a good example. When I first got here and went to Ely Cathedral, the overwhelming concensus was that it was no big deal, it has been there since the 1100s. I on the other hand who comes from the US (Southern Canada if you could call it that) was in awe of this buliding that predates the US by 700 years and has history on site from 673AD! Yes that was Saxon England, aka: the Dark Ages. That brings up a sidebar, nothing IMO leads me to believe it was that dark. Sure it was primitive compared to today, but the Saxons must thought the Druids and the like from the Stonehenge era were primitive too. Idunno.

The only way it really is greener is if you go from desert to Ireland, or the rest of the UK, Fens excepted. You know what I mean. Cheers, mate!

[iwatkins]

Nice thread everyone....

Don't get me wrong, I never stop shooting in my local area and I do get out and visit other areas (Canuck, you are not wrong, Cotswolds are excellent) as much as I can.

Local knowledge is very useful for landscape and sunset shots.

My point was that other locations and probably more so, other countries look really inviting photographically.

Maybe I need a holiday. Iceland looks fun. 8)

Cheers

Ian

[Scottes]

Maybe I need a holiday. Iceland looks fun. 8)

Given the temperatures this time of year, I'm thinking Tahiti - whether it's photographic or not.

[John_T]

...and I'm leaving for La Reunion (second time) in about two weeks for 5-6 weeks of photographer's paradise including an active volcano.

Feb 2003
http://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting/data//500/20945Piton-Fournaise.jpg

[stopbath]

Scottes: Good project (picture at 10 paces/feet) I'll have to remember that for strolls downtown, and in the woods (where tons of images get missed.)

Another good project for around the home is chose a random square meter outside your front or back door (it's suggested to toss a hula-hoop out and see where it lands...) From that spot, take 1 photo looking into the spot, and 1 photo looking from that spot. Naturally you must spend time investigating and inspecting as the photos should be a good, not just snap shots (heres the grass, heres the house...)

Another project is a frame count. Chose a frame count and don't stop shooting your subject until you hit at least that number. Say 25, 50 or even 100 frames per subject. The limit is not the maximum, but just the I can't stop until... limit. A good subject may warrant an extra few hundred frames. Naturally, this is a good weather project, or inside project as you don't want to rush due to being too cold or too hot... This is a good exercise in creative viewing since you quickly run out of compositions and need to start creating views, angles, lighting, shutter speed and depth of field combinations...

[Canuck]

Nice thread everyone....

Don't get me wrong, I never stop shooting in my local area and I do get out and visit other areas (Canuck, you are not wrong, Cotswolds are excellent) as much as I can.

Cheers

Ian

I have to say that the Cotswolds are my favourite area so far. Is it the villages, the buildings, the stuff there? I can't put my finger on it, but it is really nice there. I can't wait for nicer weather and the signs of life to show back up and have me some fun down there. We've been having what I call lovely British weather (rain) here in the fens of late. My 10D is calling my name, but I am not going to use it in the pouring rain. I was up in Hull and York, but the fog was nasty and couldn't see far enough to make a really good assessment of that area. I have no doubt it is nice, but seeing it first hand is the best. It is like tring to explain the Cotswolds to someone that has never been over this way. You know...?

[integra type s]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting/data//500/20945Stonesinastreem.jpg

Stunning...

agreed :shock:

[Bill Lamp]

I think you can find things to photograph without going long distances. I have a number of pictures taken within five miles of the house (inside city limits) that are of good display quality. I think it depends more on the photographer's frame of mind and how that changes what they see and feel.

The next paragraph is NOT intended to be a brag, but simply as an indication of the quality of the pictures I mentioned above.

I have signed a contract to show some of my work in a two artist month and a half show in an art museum. This is one of the "we invite you to show" ones with the museum placing a commission on in-show sales.

Bill

[John_T]

The wonderful thing about photography is that the possibilities are infinite and only limited by you yourself, and not one photograph can be exactly identical to another, just like every moment is unique and precious in itself. Through a photograph you can re-enter the moment and explore and rediscover it again and again and again.

[Meerkat17]

I'd like to add to this thread with a quote, I can't remember who said it now but its stayed with me and I always think of it.

"Its not about seeking new landscapes, its about seeing things with new eyes"

Its what makes a creative person, creative!

Regards
David

[spock84]

I've been walking around town today and yesterday looking for stuff to shoot, but I haven't found a single thing. Maybe it's just the weather or something, but everything seems so messy, dull, gray and lifeless. Hmm.. I think I'll blame that on the weather and the time of year. Probably the lack of good light/shadows and green colour, and there's no snow, so I can't even get those typical winter shots. Indoor photography is good this time of year, but I tend to avoid others' attention, so I'm thinking I'll just have to wait till spring/summer.

[morim]

I've been walking around town today and yesterday looking for stuff to shoot, but I haven't found a single thing. ... but everything seems so messy, dull, gray and lifeless. Hmm.. I think I'll blame that on the weather and the time of year. Probably the lack of good light/shadows and green colour, and there's no snow, so I can't even get those typical winter shots.

Sometimes it's like thinking " Must not screw up, must not screw up..." what happens? You screw up (of course :-)
Have an open mind and don't bother if you don't get that perfect pic this time. As mentioned before, sometimes it's useful to give yourself a quest. like "Try to capture a movement or find lines, find beuty, find uglyness.."


Try using Flash if it seems to messy, dull and gray, find those spots of bright light, Street lamps, neon signs ect.

Personaly I don't think the grass is greener on the other side.

/morim

[spock84]

Neon signs? I can only think of one. Some other guy got a really good shot of it here -> http://www.vad1.com/photo/stock/n27-17.html
I'm also thinking of going to this tower -> http://www.vad1.com/photo/stock/n8-8.html but it'll probably involve a long walk as there aren't a lot of busses going there. I've got a map though.