Changing Location for better images.

the yard
Originally uploaded by Ken J Beatty

Changing Location for better images


Have you ever been in a creative rut or just don’t know what to do to improve your images? I have, and I am sure that most everyone out there that has ever picked up a camera has been in that situation. How do you get yourself out of the creative rut then? Lets take a look at one of the ways I get myself back on track.
I call it work the subject. Yes, Sara, if you are reading this I stole it from one of your assignments. Sara, for those of you who don't know; was one of my photography instructors at Prairie View. She taught creative imaging, and while she may have thought I wasn't paying attention; I did learn a thing or two from her. Thank you, Sara.
Now back to the point of this article. When you find yourself in a creative rut, or just can't seem to get better pictures; try working the subject. Another way to think of this is changing location. I've included 37 images from today as an example. I recommend, however, that you shoot at least 100 or more when you first try this. The object is to simplify, simplify, simplify. Today all of the images were taken with a Nikon D70 and a 24-120 G VR lens set at 24mm. I shot on aperture priority f/22 -1/3 EV and manual focus set to hyper focal. Why you might ask? This exercise is meant to stimulate your creative juices in your compositions not bog you down in the technical aspects. I suggest you do the same. The lens choice doesn’t matter I could have just as easily used a 50mm or my 300mm. I chose the 24-120mm set at 24mm because that is my current lens of choice and the one I must force myself to be creative with. Those of you that know me, know that my philosophy for years has been there is no such thing as too long a focal length. Well, times change. I still love the “big” lenses, but I've decided now that I want wider. The wider the better, and since 24mm is my current widest then 24mm it is.
This exercise is very simple now that we have the who, what and where's out of the way. Well, almost. The who part hasn't been discussed yet. This is completely up to you, however, pick one subject and work it. The more mundane the subject the better. This will force you to get creative in your compositions, and allow your juices to start flowing.

So here we go: Your assignment is to pick a subject and work it by changing your compositions.
Shoot at least 100 frames of well composed images. (Don't just go snapping away. Put some thought into each frame.) Shoot High angles. Shoot low angles. Move a few inches up, down, left and right. (Move your entire body not just swing the camera). Walk around the subject. Notice how the light changes and plays on it. Shoot it from every angel you can think of, and some you may never have thought of before. Get up on a ladder (step stool), down on your knees and lay flat on the ground. Take frames the way you normally would and then compose the subject at a different height. Just keep working and thinking about the compensations. Remember at least 100 frames; 200 would be better.

Now let's look at the examples below. Pay particular attention to what works and what doesn't work in each frame. Note how the light changes. Note the which elements lend to the subject and which ones detract from it. Leave comments below as to what you have noticed so that we can have a healthy discussion about it. We can all learn from this even if the images will never make Nat Geo. Later I will set up a group on Flickr so that you can upload your images for discussion. (There will be a limit for the group of 20 or so just for space considerations.) Do the same with the photos you took and then keep them in your personal library for later reference.
OOPS: The photos didn't load so I created an album here.   Please visit the album and then leave your comments back here. Thank you, Ken.