Anyone been somewhere where there is nothing to take pictures of?

[Danny Boy]

I just spent a week in North Dakota, up near the Canadian, North Dakota, Minnesota border visiting my in-laws (ouch right there!!). This is a little farming town and I brought my camera to try to get some ideas of something nice to shoot outside. THERE WAS NOTHING!!!!!

Maybe my imagination is limited but all I saw was desolation and a ton of sugar beet trucks (yeah, welcome to North Dakota). I did see what I thought was sections of an ICBM going down the interstate but that's a different story. Also, I didn't think taking pictures of an ICBM would go over too well.

Anyone else been somewhere where there was nothing? Let me know.

Dan

[DCB]

I don't think I've ever been somewhere where there's nothing to shoot, but I've definitely wandered around for an entire day and didn't SEE anything to shoot! :) I consider a good day one where I found maybe four to six scenes to shoot, expending a half dozen frames on each. But some days I'll wander around and have nothing but a sore shoulder to show for it.

[Scottes]

But some days I'll wander around and have nothing but a sore shoulder to show for it.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

[neil_r]

I've definitely wandered around for an entire day and didn't SEE anything to shoot! :)
Yep done that........ And then seen someone elses pictures from that very same place and thought WOW !

N

[PacAce]

I just spent a week in North Dakota, up near the Canadian, North Dakota, Minnesota border visiting my in-laws (ouch right there!!). This is a little farming town and I brought my camera to try to get some ideas of something nice to shoot outside. THERE WAS NOTHING!!!!!

Maybe my imagination is limited but all I saw was desolation and a ton of sugar beet trucks (yeah, welcome to North Dakota). I did see what I thought was sections of an ICBM going down the interstate but that's a different story. Also, I didn't think taking pictures of an ICBM would go over too well.

Anyone else been somewhere where there was nothing? Let me know.

Dan

Oh, man! You spent a whole week up in North Dokota, and in a farming town at that, and came back with nothing? ??? How often do people (especially the city folks) get to see a picture of a truckload of sugar beets? And a picture of "Desolation" would look great in B&W or sepia toned. :confused:

[aam1234]

Last saturday in the early afternone I drove around the outer area of where I live, with 20D loaded with the 100-400...what did I get? big fat "nothing!" and I drove for almost 3 hours!

[RichardtheSane]

If I've learned one thing, it is that driving around looing for a photo will usually yeild nowt. Not a sausage. Zip.

I know, I've done it - a lot.

You want good photos, get your legs working :)

[EoSD30fReAk]

that's what i call a photographers block! :lol:

on a good day a regular lamppost can make a nice subject and on a bad day you walk around with your gear to return home with some crappy shots because you had to shoot something :rolleyes:

[iwatkins]

Photographers Block:

Symptoms:
a) Can't find anything to shoot.
b) Can't find anything I think will look good when I shoot it.

Fix:
a) Get out of the car
b) Fix a single lens to your camera
c) Just walk a random route
d) Anything that is marginally different from what you have seen before, shoot it.
e) Revisit that image a week later, it'll look better (maybe).

Other fixes:
a) Plan a project, e.g. photograph a bridge from different angles, different lenses
b) Get the maps out and plan a visit to a waterfall / coastline etc.
c) Visit a zoo / wildlife park / aquarium / etc.
d) If you usually shot street scenes, try shooting table top macros for a change.
e) If all else fails, put the camera away for a few weeks, I promise, it'll come back to you.

Cheers

Ian

[IndyJeff]

I was at a funeral once.


Plenty to shoot but it just didn't seem proper.

[elbirth]

I was at a funeral once.


Plenty to shoot but it just didn't seem proper.
Same here. On Thanksgiving morning of this year, one of my uncles died, and a few days later we buried him. I had brought my camera with me (I usually bring it if I'm driving anywhere, just in case an opportunity arises) and since he was in the Marines, he had a military funeral. I would have liked to have gotten some pictures of it, but with all the grieving family members around, it just didn't seem like the best thing to be doing.

iwatkins, great advice there. I don't like the idea of putting my camera away for a few WEEKS though :confused:

[Belmondo]

Anyone else been somewhere where there was nothing? Let me know.

Dan
I could have sworn I lived in such a place, but then LazyPhotographer came down here and took some bird pictures that just blew me away---right in my own backyard (figuratively).

Art (and beauty) are truly in the eyes of the beholder. To a person with a good eye, these opportunities exist in abundance almost everywhere.

[Scottes]

You want good photos, get your legs working When it comes to birds & wildlife I have to agree strongly. But I think it depends on what you're looking for. I did a lot of looking in the last few months, "landscape" type of stuff, for things like barns & covered bridges & farm scenes & horses & great views & so on and on. Basically looking for landscape with the hand of man involved. That's just about always road work, and walking across private property is often not a good idea.

However, I didn't get much shooting done. :-(

I also have to admit that a walk through a nice patch of woods *should* reveal a great number of shots. I'm just not that type of shooter myself. I can't "see" so easily. But I'm working on it.

To a person with a good eye, these opportunities exist in abundance almost everywhere.
That's my problem - I don't have that "good eye." I think I need to hang around Laz for a few weeks.

[robertwgross]

If I am driving my car along a deserted country road, and if I have my wildlife camera rig in my lap, then I can be certain that I will not see a damned thing to point it at.

On the other hand, if my rig is secured safely in the trunk of the car, then every fence post will have a hawk sitting on it with a sign around its neck that says "Photo -- Here".

---Bob Gross---

[PacAce]

Hmmm. I see a BIG money making opportunity here for LazyPhotographer if she would consider writing a book explaining her secret of how she always ends up getting such nice bird pictures from out of her car window. :lol:

[Scottes]

Hmmm. I see a BIG money making opportunity here for LazyPhotographer if she would consider writing a book explaining her secret of how she always ends up getting such nice bird pictures from out of her car window.
I'd buy two copies - one to read at home, and another to keep in the car whaen I can't find anything.

[aam1234]

If I am driving my car along a deserted country road, and if I have my wildlife camera rig in my lap, then I can be certain that I will not see a damned thing to point it at.

On the other hand, if my rig is secured safely in the trunk of the car, then every fence post will have a hawk sitting on it with a sign around its neck that says "Photo -- Here".

---Bob Gross---

Man! that's so true! on that same Saturday I was stalking some birds (mind you, they were the lowly house sparrows :o ) yet if I move from my location, dozens will show up, even few steps away :mad:

[roanjohn]

YES!!!!

Ro1

[Curos]

Hmmm. I see a BIG money making opportunity here for LazyPhotographer if she would consider writing a book explaining her secret of how she always ends up getting such nice bird pictures from out of her car window. :lol:
Lazy's a girl?


:rolleyes:

[Steven M. Anthony]

Sounds to me like you had lots to shoot! I'm curious why you didn't think shooting an ICBM would go over well. Go over well with whom? (or is it who?)

I was at Ellsworth AFB a couple of years ago and got some shots of a Minute Man in a silo! Cool and creepy at the same time...

[CyberDyneSystems]

Lazy's a girl?




Yes.. we better make an 11 page long thread about it soon too or she'll get jealous...
:rolleyes: :p

[nosquare2003]

Perhaps, you can put down the camera and just sit there. Write down what you see and how you feel around...a neat farm, busy workers, annoying insects, windy afternoon... These may be your photographic subjects. (Like PacAce said, I've never seen a truckload of sugar beets!)

If there's nothing arouse my interest (or I'm not in the mood), I will not take any photos. In the end, taking photo is a hobby, not a job to me.

[bachscuttler]

Usually, what gives me block if I'm out and about is if the lighting is a little depressing and dull.

When I can't see the 'big picture' I go for the 'small' picture instead and start looking in hedgerows etc.

I recently turned out to shoot trains and got nothing worth keeping, so at the side of the track I rummaged around and got these macros.

1 (http://images.fotopic.net/y5uyop.jpg)

2 (http://images.fotopic.net/y5422k.jpg)

3 (http://images.fotopic.net/y5iwsx.jpg)

I tend to get more shots keeping the camera in the car and shooting something that inspires me on my travels. It's only a creative P & S but its ready in seconds.
I'm a newbie and saving for my first DSLR, but I think I will always keep my current camera in the car.

Another tactic I use before the batteries start leaking with old age is to keep a notepad in the car and if I can't get a shot there and then because of time constraints (I'm usually working if I'm driving) I write down potential shots so I can return when I have time. Theres one shot I've been wanting for months at the side of Kincardine Bridge in Scotland but every time I go over the bridge, the tide is in on the Firth of Forth...it's on my list.

I also sometimes sit at home and write down potential shoots, so I have enough on the list to plan a day out.

Photography has opened my eyes to things I didn't 'see' before...skies, geometric shapes, I even took a macro shot of a section of my keyboard when I was bored.

I also scour forums like this one for inspiration and often write down ideas when I see a composition that inspires me.

I try not to let equipment limitations hold me back. Just get the damned shot and keep saving :lol:

[Danny Boy]

I am leary of photographing military equipment because I learned the hard way. Many years ago my brother-in-law and I got on to Grifiss AFB in NY state (brother-in-law was recently hired there as a contractor). We were driving around Perimiter Rd. and there were signs that said "No stopping or standing for next 5 miles". Well, my brother-in-law obviously didn't see those signs and when we saw B-52's being loaded with cruise missles, he stopped the car and decided to take pictures because "he thought it was a good idea at the time". Well, a squad of M-16 toting soldiers quickly approached and pointed their loaded weapons at us. Well, I freaked out and almost soiled myself. They simply took the film but made a solid point. From then on, whether posted or not, no pic taking of military stuff for me.

[DCB]

I am leary of photographing military equipment because I learned the hard way. Many years ago my brother-in-law and I got on to Grifiss AFB in NY state (brother-in-law was recently hired there as a contractor). We were driving around Perimiter Rd. and there were signs that said "No stopping or standing for next 5 miles". Well, my brother-in-law obviously didn't see those signs and when we saw B-52's being loaded with cruise missles, he stopped the car and decided to take pictures because "he thought it was a good idea at the time". Well, a squad of M-16 toting soldiers quickly approached and pointed their loaded weapons at us. Well, I freaked out and almost soiled myself. They simply took the film but made a solid point. From then on, whether posted or not, no pic taking of military stuff for me.

I sneaked into Cuba three years ago and stumbled on the place where Castro addresses the masses. There were thousands of chairs set up, and it struck me as a great photo subject. Here are two perspectives of the same thing:

http://www.retake.com/retake/photos/cuba/littlefidel2.jpg


http://www.retake.com/retake/photos/cuba/littlefidel1.jpg

Anyway, the armed guards were not amused at my shooting. One came rushing over and demanded that I leave. So I packed up my stuff, slowly, while I thought it over. Finally I decided to risk a different approach. I folded a $20 bill into my hand and shook the hand of the guy who'd chased me out. I apologized and wished him well (in Spanish). Without even a blink or pause he said, apparently after feeling the bill in his hand, "Hey, go ahead and finish." Tha'ts when I got these shots.

I don't think I'd try that on an US base. :p

[timmyquest]

THats an interesting story and some very interesting photographs!

[richpix]

I've been to many places where I thought there was nothing to photograph. Usually that means I'm not seeing what's there, but looking for what I was expecting, or hoping, to see. I've found no better way to make myself see better than to try seeing differently--changing my expectations. Now with a change in expectation I figure I can make a good photograph within a few feet of anywhere I find myself.

This was made near where you were in North Dakota:

http://richmason.com/Road/NDtoSD/images/LFargoS.jpg

[Danny Boy]

Rich,

Yup, that is a picture of where I was except your picture was not the dead of winter. When I was there, there was a dusting of snow and the temperature was about 10 degrees F.

I've been listening to everyone and there has been some good feedback. Maybe simply expanding my imagination, seeing what I don't currently see and artistically making something of what I now see as nothing is what I have to do. Something to work on anyways.

Thanks.

Dan

[EoSD30fReAk]

maybe this way we can make a photographers block history for good with all this advice;)


so no one can say there wasn't anything to shoot!:lol:

[Persian-Rice]

I personally think that everything is photographable(<- is that even a word?) and interesting in its own way. It's the photographer that needs to reproduce what they are seeing.

We all have days and sometimes long periods where creative energy is low. It's the same as when someone asks you to write an essay for example on any subject you please. For whatever reason, you sit there and can't think of anything, you just draw blanks.

Pekka made a great suggestion in another thread about reading books that open the mind, creative works. I read quite a bit and have noticed that my creative energy tends to be at it's peak when I am reading something interesting. Right now I am reading Salman Rushdie's book "Satanic Verses", odd but very interesting. BTW, highly recommended, I see how it has its bestseller rating. Definitely a book that is extremely creative and full of ideas.

I think it is a matter of conditioning the mind to see something. Look at street photographers, they photograph the most unusual and usually very bland subjects, but it's the way they express their vision that makes that same bland subject so appealing.

[Scottes]

photographable(<- is that even a word?) It is now! Someone call that Oxford place with the big word book...

Hmmm, a google for the word "photographable" lists 4380 hits. My favorite word-which-I-thought-I-invented is "unpickupable" which yields only 206 hits. Obviously I need to invent better words...

[Steven M. Anthony]

No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film. ~Robert Adams, Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques, May 1995

[Belmondo]

It is now! Someone call that Oxford place with the big word book...

Hmmm, a google for the word "photographable" lists 4380 hits. My favorite word-which-I-thought-I-invented is "unpickupable" which yields only 206 hits. Obviously I need to invent better words...
"Betterwordpickable?":confused:

[Tom W]

"Betterwordpickable?":confused:

hah! Dispickable.

did I spell that right?

[Tom W]

No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film. ~Robert Adams, Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques, May 1995

Let me add that no place is boring if you've had a bad night's sleep and a pocket full of exposed film. :)

[Steven M. Anthony]

Let me add that no place is boring if you've had a bad night's sleep and a pocket full of exposed film. :)

That's a quote from Ansel Adams, right? :)

[pradeep1]

No. I have found that if I am at a place that seems this way, just wait until it gets dark or early morning and you are bound to find something interesting to photograph.

[KennyG]

About ten years ago I used to try and fill my photographic desires between motor racing seasons by winter walking in the Yorkshire Dales. One day I decided to ascend the highest hill in the Dales (in Yorkshire actually). There was a couple of feet of snow, freezing cold, a howling wind, but bright sunshine. I never saw another soul until I got to the top of this hill and there, complete with tripod, was a professional photographer taking pictures for an outdoor magazine. We discussed photographer's block and how, in the winter if the light is poor and sky merges into land how boring the landscape was and very little to shoot even in this wonderful part of England.

Next thing was "I'll take your picture against that sunlit hill over there" and after a taking a few shots of each other we parted ways. The next month, guess who was on the front cover of the magazine - your's truly. One of the very few pictures of me to get into print. You just never know what you will come across, especially if you get out of the car and start walking.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Get out of the Car?

I'm not sure I follow?

:lol:

[RichardtheSane]

hahahaha!

Seriously though, adding to this thread, I was out this weekend and felt in a 'what is there to photograph' mood.

I went looking for birds. nada, not a well presented feather freind in sight. I went looking for birds because the day was grey, overcast, slightly misty and threatening rain.

For fime minutes there was a break in the clouds a few miles away. No sun shone through, just a break - but I got the shot I posted in THIS THREAD (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=52683).

And it was possibly the fastest paced shot I ever made. I had to sprint to a better viewpoint (the break in the clouds was tiny), virtually lay down in the mud to avoid some telegraph wires entering the shot, very quickly make a few different compositions and rely on instinct for metering an exposure comp.

But a very rewarding two minutes. Had I not been paying attention to all that was around me without looking for a shot I would have missed it.

My point? Don't look too hard for a shot, and scenes than you can make into images will often present themselves. :)

[Harry Settle]

I did 25 years in the Navy, almost totaly sea duty, and have seen more nothing than you can shake a stick at. My most memorable shots are the Christmas day shots of the water every Christmas I was away from home.

[PhotosGuy]

Sometimes I don't shoot anything, but I've never been anywhere that there wasn't anything to shoot.
I agree with Neil, "...And then seen someone elses pictures from that very same place and thought WOW !"

[Bodryn]

Danny Boy, if you had access to a car, you missed some wonderful opportunities. Not many miles west of you there is an ongoing dinosaur dig in and around the Walhalla Gorge country there. Only 60 or so miles north of you is the major Canadian city of Winnipeg, over half a million people. Not far east of you in northern Minnesota there is lots of large wildlife (elk, moose, bear, cougar) that you can only dream of seeing in Illinois. Also at that latitude, you have a good chance of seeing aurora borealis on a clear night. I could go on, but you get the idea.... It's worth checking what's going on near a place before saying it has nothing! Only a few years ago I had some wonderful bird sightings only a few miles east of the location you mention - and there are interesting birds that can be seen there year round, if you can handle the cold weather, which admittedly can get down to -40. Incidentally, this part of the country is part of a very major bird migration route and in spring and fall, many varieties can be seen here when other places have little to offer. And don't forget the famous Leaning Silo of Cavalier County. :)

[Jonny]

such nice bird pictures from out of her car window.

On that subject, has anyone used those little mounts that allow you to mount your camera on you car window a bit like a tripod? are they any good?

http://www.shortcourses.com/equipment/tripods/bogan3293.jpg

looks ideal for a drive round the safari park ( except for the need to have your window open in the lion enclosure!!!!)

[Moppie]

I think theres a certian moose kisser here who could use one of those :D

[Belmondo]

I think theres a certian moose kisser here who could use one of those :D
Oh, pulllleeeeeeze. That was an elk.:rolleyes:

Moose have their pride, you know.:lol:

[Tom W]

On that subject, has anyone used those little mounts that allow you to mount your camera on you car window a bit like a tripod? are they any good?

http://www.shortcourses.com/equipment/tripods/bogan3293.jpg

looks ideal for a drive round the safari park ( except for the need to have your window open in the lion enclosure!!!!)

I'm not sure that the particular mount you're showing is sturdy enough for any heavy glass. Leastwise, I wouldn't trust it to hold my DSLR. It looks like its relying on the glass to support the camera.

[dispatchermike21]

No such place exsist all else fails turn the camera on yourself and end it all.

[richpix]

And then you would be Canonized...

[IanD]

I think theres a certian moose kisser here who could use one of those :D As Belmondo said, it was an elk, cow elk to be exact. Moose got bad breath and big buck teeth. Their lips ain't as soft either, and they are definately more fickle.
Oh, BTW, I have a Manfrotto window bracket similar to the one in the photo. Don't use it for 2 reasons......
1) MKII with a long lens will be too heavy and might shatter the window.
2) Camera in the window will block the elk from gettin their heads into kissin range.
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[Belmondo]

Well, I'm glad that's cleared up.

[Moppie]

ROFLOL!

You know untill today I never knew there was differnce between an Elk and Moose.
Now I know who I can and can't get "close" to, and still be respected in the morning.

[Bodryn]

Moppie, what's a "girl fiend"? Sounds more dangerous than a moose! :)

[Moppie]

Much more dangerous than a moose, and much better looking, more like a Heron, tall and silm and very photogenic. :cool:

She has this weird camera, it looks and works like an SLR, but it dosn't take compact flash, and theres no LCD.
Instead it use's this weird stuff that can only hold 24 shots, you can't transfer the images to your computer, and she has to send it away where it gets turned straight into prints, apprently its not compatable with photoshop.

I think she calls it frilm


;)

[IanD]

Frilm? Must be some type of new format. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[dewmuw]

Coventry! :)

[blinking8s]

I lived in the middle east half my life...my entire time there I never thought to pickup the camera and take photos of the surrounding culture...its all about your perspective in the way you see things. Now here I am with an entirely different mindset about photography and realizing there was a ton of photography ops there.

but im running dry with the town i live in, ive photographers everything, working on going back and photographing it in better/different lighting...but that takes a lot of time...but the last few times i walked downtown it wasnt interesting at all...i didnt even end up turning the camera on...

[bachscuttler]

Moppie, what's a "girl fiend"? Sounds more dangerous than a moose! :)

I've had girlfriends that have looked like mousses.
As the song goes...'I've never been to bed with an ugly woman but I've sure woke up with a few' :D

[bachscuttler]

Pekka made a great suggestion in another thread about reading books that open the mind, creative works. I read quite a bit and have noticed that my creative energy tends to be at it's peak when I am reading something interesting.

As many of you will know, Pekka is also an accomplished musician.
I am not as accomplished, but I have heard that suggestion bandied about in musical circles and having tried it can verify it does work!

[CyberPet]

A good idea when you have "photographers block" is to go out a gang of photographers (amatuers or pro, doesn't matter) and you visit the same place... like a junk yard! I'm sure you'll soon find out that at least half of the gang are finding something to shoot, while the other half says "there's nothing here to shoot" until they see those who's busy shooting.

There's ALWAYS something ot photograph.... question is if we're too picky at times and might miss many cool images because we have made the images we *want* to take in our heads already and they are in the way for new and fun images.

[O/confusion]

Coventry! :)

Now just hold on a minute, there, buddy--I spent twenty years in Coventry and..... Oh, crap! You're right.:D

Terry

[BlueTit]

In situations like that and I been there too, go for macro, there is a whole world under your feet or on a tree. Sometimes that will inspire you for other photos too.

[tim]

I was about to say what Bluetit did - try macro. There are great photos everywhere, sometimes they pop out, often they have to be made. For example the idea for this picture (http://www.mrwild.co.nz/Featured/Art/slides/IMG_8862.html) came to me while I was having a drink and playing chess with my partner.

[Citizensmith]

If you are walking around an not seeing anything put on a macro lens and change your perspective. If you broaden your horizons enough there is always something.

of course if you don't particularly want to broaden your horizons you may draw a blank.

[Thenethiel]

And if you don't have a macro lens, just take pictures of the nothing, and then don't review any of them for at least a week, might surprise yourself.

[dannym]

I live there.

[froman98]

I grew up in Northern Nevada. My teenage years were spent on barren mountain sides, dried up creeks/rivers and hundreds of square miles of sage brush. To be honest, I hated it. Once I moved away and went back to a friends wedding, my girlfriend was awestruck at how beautiful the landscape was. Same thing happened to me. The first time I went to northeastern pennsylvania and saw that there were different kinds of trees that turned different colors and everything was green instead of covered in dirt, i about lost it. I thought I was in heaven. My friends daughter hated it. She thought it was too plain.

Moral of the story, (as I'm sure everyone has said), what's not beautiful to you may be beautiful to someone else. I have a hard time finding motivation and/or inspiration to go out to take pictures of this barren landscape because I'm really tired of it. Therefore, I do not think any shots of this area are worthy. Someone else might love the photos.

I have also found (as mentioned several times) that taking a bunch of photos and forgetting about them for a week or few will ususally result in a few shots that aren't too bad. It certainly helps if I forgot I took them, but either way... take a bunch of photos... dump 'em on your PC and forget about them for a week or two. Go back and take a look. You will definitely be surprised. ;)

[rbbblues]

i just went through a six week photographer's block.......and i live in an area where phtog addicts would die for...(south fla.....lauderdale, south beach, miami, etc.).........then.....i just returned from philadelphia.....got over a dozen 'keepers'.......train station, art gallery area, park.........just needed to 'break loose'........don't worry........the INSPIRATION will return........

PS: i'm leaving for athens & venice next week......anybody out there live in one of those areas.......please respond.....
richard

[mgchan]

For me, it's not so much of not finding things to shoot, it's that I've become more critical of what I take and wanting to be more creative gets in the way. I've become my worst critc!