It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking the only way you can get worthwhile, compelling images is to travel to photography hotspots with epic features, but that simply is not the case. Worse, you could be missing out on a wealth of unique images that stand out from the crowd. This excellent video essay discusses why you should consider shooting around your own neighborhood more often.
Coming to you from aows, this great video essay discusses the importance of not overlooking your own surrounding environment for creating photos. Sure, locations like Iceland are a dream for many of us, but besides missing out on other images while waiting for them, we have all seen thousands of photos from those locations. On the other hand, how many truly good photos have you seen from your small hometown? These locations are often your opportunity to create something more unique, and with the current situation making travel inadvisable, there is no better time than now to explore your local area. Furthermore, those local prints are the type that are more likely to resonate with those who live in your area, making them a potentially untapped sales source. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
Brillant post. thank you. I've practiced what you show, and a couple of years bac, became the volunteer photographer for the small town I live in (south of Eindhoven in The Netherlands, nowhere near any spectacular National Park). Gives purpose to my hobby.
I commuted down Ohio State Route 301 which passed through the city I live in Elyria, Ohio as a medical photographer and began documenting everything on and just off the road. Made sure that I went to both ends of the 45-mile road that passed through the little city I live in. Started even getting up in the middle of the night. Now, I have better than 450 processed plus photos that I am pleased with and have shown some. Stop traveling the road in 2016 and started documenting the city, the people, business, and everything else of the city I live in. Mostly within walking distance from my house. I have an enclosed front porch windows which I used as a gallery this fall to entertain the neighbors. This by far is one of the most rewarding types of photography I do. Downtown Elyria Christmas Lights 4am
I went for early morning walks before work and kids waking to make photos in my very boring suburban neighborhood during the summer (early daylight). It is tough, but I came away with one or two keepers. Just had to get through the first few days of being totally annoyed with myself.
What is boring to you is exotic to someone else. I think often it is the grass is greener somewhere else syndrome, and I suffered from it for a long time. It is learning to see and appreciate the world around you that counts.