Photographing closer to home
I always assumed that given an abundance of time free from work, school routine and constantly taking kids to and fro, that my creativity would bloom. Perhaps a pandemic, when l seem to have replaced one lot of responsibilities for another isn’t the best time to test that theory but I’m certainly keen to move past the inertia that seems to have immobilised me creatively over the first few weeks of lockdown.
One of the many frustrations with lockdown is the fact that we are restricted to our homes and not much beyond, save for our once a day exercise. This brings me back to the early days of childrearing when it was harder to get out and about exploring Scotland. Although l was restricted in my movements at that point, l identify that time with a huge growth in my photography skills. I pushed myself to learn new techniques, shoot in different ways and practice turning the mundane into something more eye-catching. Nothing can quite take away from the excitement and inspiration that comes from visiting a new place and partaking in new experiences but the limits that we find ourselves subjected to just now can be used to push us creatively.
Image of two forks.
Image of a microwave.
For those of us lucky to have a garden, there is a world of exploration on your doorstep, Grass, flowers, sky, trees, birds. You will never have the opportunity to get to know your garden as intensely as you can just now. Watch how the light changes throughout the day, how plants unfurl and curl up again as the day fades. Set up a bird table and consider creating a rudimentary hide from which to base yourself and practice a new type of photography altogether.
Finding ways to shoot the same object or subject over and over is a fantastic way to push yourself. It forces you to think beyond the straightforward and try new techniques. You could consider only shooting in low light or trying double exposures.
On your daily exercise route, you could work on your powers of observation. Head out at different times each day and look at how the scene changes. Sketch in your head. Our senses are heightened just now. Birdsong seems louder and crisper, the air smells fresher, the sky coloured more deeply. Part of this is down to changes in the environment due to the lockdown (no cars, less pollution etc) but it also stems from the fact that we ourselves have slowed down and become more observant. Even if you can’t use your camera whilst out exercising, you can use the knowledge gained to plan out future shoots beyond the lockdown.
If you are mostly confined indoors you might like to try a creative portrait project. There are some great tips here.
You might also find inspiration in the following feeds. Both these women capture life close to home so beautifully and evocatively. Their pictures help me place myself in their scene with all the sights, sounds and smells they experience .
I can’t wait for the inspiration that is going to flow from being able to experience new places and space, sights and sounds but meantime I’m going to push myself to try and enjoy photographing closer to home.
