Every year, I travel to a favorite sand dunes for off-roading. Actually, sometimes I travel there a few times within the year. I love photographing the adventure sports and the vehicles. However, after photographing them year in and year out, I found I was shooting the same way. For commercial work, predictability is a good thing. That way clients know what they are getting.
For an artist, predictability can be death for creativity. To keep my creativity going, I like to mix things up and try a different shot: one that I know would not be commercial, but would provide me with personal satisfaction.
This year, I tried a completely different perspective. I still wanted the Jeep in the mid-to background so that it would hint at location. I didn't want it to be the sole object in the image.
Yes, it's dead wood. I hear so many critics whine about overdone subjects, such as dead trees. Personally, I think if we discourage people from experimenting with what's around them, we are stifling their ability to change perspective and improve their vision. In the example of a dead tree, macro and landscape photographers have been able to change the typical shot into some extraordinary art. I love the night sky images with dead trees as silhouettes. I love the textures found in wood. So why not play with different ways to photograph it?
Don't let the negative armchair critics get you down. Keep shooting. Move your feet, change your angle, and play. If the final result pleases you, you will continue to enjoy what made you fall in love with photography.
For an artist, predictability can be death for creativity. To keep my creativity going, I like to mix things up and try a different shot: one that I know would not be commercial, but would provide me with personal satisfaction.
This year, I tried a completely different perspective. I still wanted the Jeep in the mid-to background so that it would hint at location. I didn't want it to be the sole object in the image.
Yes, it's dead wood. I hear so many critics whine about overdone subjects, such as dead trees. Personally, I think if we discourage people from experimenting with what's around them, we are stifling their ability to change perspective and improve their vision. In the example of a dead tree, macro and landscape photographers have been able to change the typical shot into some extraordinary art. I love the night sky images with dead trees as silhouettes. I love the textures found in wood. So why not play with different ways to photograph it?
Don't let the negative armchair critics get you down. Keep shooting. Move your feet, change your angle, and play. If the final result pleases you, you will continue to enjoy what made you fall in love with photography.
