When you're stuck in one place, it's easy to fall into a routine, revisiting the same spots and capturing similar scenes. This can lead to complacency, and before you know it, the familiar becomes dull. Yet, there's always more to discover, even in places you think you know inside out.
Coming to you from Faizal Westcott, this insightful video dives into the idea of pushing yourself beyond the familiar. Westcott reflects on his time in Boston, where he found himself revisiting the same locations repeatedly. While this approach can build a deep familiarity with a place, it can also stifle creativity. Westcott realized that by not exploring new areas, he was limiting his growth as a photographer. Westcott emphasizes the importance of breaking out of that cycle, encouraging you to find fresh perspectives in your surroundings.
Westcott's move to New York City presented him with new opportunities, but he noticed a similar pattern emerging. Even in a city as vast and varied as New York, he found himself gravitating toward the same locations. The video captures a moment where Westcott decides to break free from this habit by exploring Hudson Yards—a place he had previously avoided because of its touristy reputation. To his surprise, he found it to be a rich environment for photography, especially with its unique art installations and elevated viewpoints. This experience underscores a critical point: sometimes, the areas you overlook are the ones that can offer the most creative potential.
The video further explores the idea of using these new experiences to fuel your creativity. By stepping into unfamiliar territory, you not only challenge yourself but also open up new avenues for your work. Westcott highlights how shooting in different environments can reinvigorate your approach, providing a fresh set of tools to work with. He points out that this shift in scenery can be more impactful than any new gear you could buy. The key takeaway here is that the environment plays a crucial role in shaping your photography, and exploring new places—even within your own city—can lead to unexpected and rewarding results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Westcott.
