I think the hard part of what we do is that we want to make extraordinary photographs.
And then we go looking for extraordinary things.
I think it's helpful that we want to make extraordinary photographs.
What I think works against us is that we look for extraordinary things to photograph.
Wouldn't it be easier to see the ordinary things we see daily as extraordinary?
And then compose a picture representing what we find so extraordinary about it?
There's nothing to plan for. It's a spontaneous process, so there's nothing
extra to do except make a picture when something interests us.
In other words, we go about our lives, see stuff to photograph, and then go through our process of making
pictures.
Seeing and Attention
We go about our day seeing.
We see some things that get our attention.
And if whatever got our attention initiates the impulse to make a picture, we should observe and investigate it.
Observing
When observing,
we notice or perceive (something) and register it as significant.
Investigating
When we're investigating, we're engaging in a systematic or formal inquiry of discovery and examining what
we see to establish the best way to photograph what we see.
Curiosity, Wonder, Observation, Investigation, and Extraordinary
Photographs
This is all about working with curiosity, wonder, observation, and Investigation while creating pictures.
Our curiosity leads to wondering, which leads to observing, which leads to investigating, which, in our case, may lead to creating a photograph.
And, if we're true to ourselves as photography creators and understand how to work our camera intentionally and thoughtfully, our instincts will let us know how to create an extraordinary photograph. No matter how "ordinary" things appear.
An Introduction To Photography class starts today, Sunday, July 9. If you missed the chance to register for the course, there's more scheduled. Register now.
Or you could take a series of In-Person or Online private lessons and learn the same stuff.
More ways to learn photography with me are below.
References
D'Amico, S. (2023, June 1). Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary. Sam D'Amico Photography Newsletter Hub. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://www.aweber.com/users/messages/edit/64a97d35be7f28430aa37e50
D'Amico, S. (2023, July 7). Inspiration!? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Inspiration To Be Creative. Sam D'Amico Photography Newsletter Hub. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from
https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/samdamico/MTk2NDExODI=/inspiration-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-inspiration-to-be-creative.htm