I’m always fascinated by how the photography that I do evolves unconsciously. I move in a new direction or start to see things in different ways, often without knowing that a change is taking place.
Below are three photographs taken in January, February and March of 2004 respectively. None of them were done with any conscious intent. In each case I simply saw a composition that caught my eye, and photographed it. It wasn’t until viewing a print of the third photograph that I realized the similarity with the others taken just weeks prior. Putting the three prints up on my desk, side by side, I shook my head at the curious symmetry. This simply isn’t a style of shooting that I had done before, and I have no idea where it came from.
I’ve written a brief description of how and why each one was made. But more to the point, have a look at your own photography. See if there are any themes or similarities in the things that you shoot or the style in which you’re currently working. What’s changed recently? What’s remained the same?
Moon and V. Florida — January, 2004
Sony F828 at 7mm. 32mm Eqiv. ISO 64
I was sitting on a hotel balcony with a drink in my hand enjoying the changing light of sunset. But as I looked up I noticed the moon, and how the balcony overhead pointed toward it, almost like the prow of some dark alien spaceship.
Desert Architecture. Arizona — February, 2004
Sony DSC-T1 @ ISO 100
While staying at a hotel in Arizona I was taken with the colours and the dramatic architectural lines and shadows caused by the harsh mid-day sun. I walked back to my room and came back with a digicam and took a few frames. As I was doing so a lone cloud crossed into the field of view. Symmetrical serendipity.
Triangle Moon — Toronto. March, 2004
Sony DSC-T1 @ ISO 100
I was downtown in the mid-afternoon and looking up noticed the moon in an opening between the walls of an office building. I had a point-and-shoot in my coat pocket and took a frame for fun.
Of course now that I’m aware that I’ve become unconsciously drawn to these types of images I’ll probably never see or take another one again. At least not unconsciously. What do you find yourself shooting these days that you haven’t before?
Elevate Your Vision
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