Photographing beautiful landscapes and stunning vistas can feel effortless when you’re in a new or exotic location. But how do you keep your eye sharp in your everyday environment? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking there’s nothing new to see, especially in familiar places.
Coming to you from Adrian Vila with aows, this insightful video explains how to train yourself to see the world like a photographer, even in the most mundane settings. Vila emphasizes that we often get excited about new places, especially when we travel abroad or encounter different cultures. Everything seems interesting at first, but over time, this excitement fades. This is what Vila calls habituation—the process where our brains become less sensitive to our surroundings. It’s this familiarity that makes shooting the same locations feel repetitive and uninspiring.
Vila offers practical tips for breaking out of this creative rut. One of his key suggestions is to always carry a camera, even if it’s just your phone. However, he argues that a dedicated camera makes a bigger difference. Carrying a camera puts you in “photography mode,” making you more aware of your surroundings. He suggests making it a habit to take a photo at the start of your day, no matter where you are. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but the act of shooting sets the tone for being more observant.
Another helpful exercise Vila recommends is picking a simple subject and making it your focus for the day. It could be anything—mailboxes, doors, street signs. The goal isn’t to create award-winning images but to train yourself to notice things you might usually overlook. This kind of focus can help cut through the overwhelming feeling of not knowing what to shoot, especially in busy environments. Vila shares how this technique helped him start a project photographing “no” signs, like “No Trespassing” or “No Parking,” which kept him creatively engaged even when inspiration was lacking.
Vila also discusses the power of changing up your gear. If you’re used to shooting with zoom lenses, try working with prime lenses for a day. Forcing yourself to compose within a fixed focal length, such as 35mm or 85mm, challenges your perspective and can open up new ways of seeing the same scene. He also touches on the importance of light, noting that sunrise and sunset are prime times for capturing striking images, even in familiar locations. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Vila.
