Ideas...

[JAC526]

As a new photographer how do I continue to find good subjects and locations to shoot?

Any tips from those experienced photographers would be greatly appreciated.

Joe.

 

[Neiby]

I'm also a new photographer. I've been at it a few months now and I've learned a ton here. I learned a lot by reading some of the recommended books on here, as well as watching some videos. One great book that helped a lot is Learning To See Creatively by Bryan Peterson. That helped to start me on the path of viewing things differently. I also read this funny but helpful web article:

FART for Fantastic Photos

Bryan Peterson also has a MUST-READ book called Understanding Exposure. Seriously, you must read that one.

 

[MTVision]

As a new photographer how do I continue to find good subjects and locations to shoot?

Any tips from those experienced photographers would be greatly appreciated.

Joe.

Try looking up some photo assignments and follow them weekly. They will help you brainstorm new ideas. If you also do a search on this forum for assignments - I posted a composition assignment from my class and it helped me get new ideas on different subjects

 

[KmH]

Some visual arts and graphic design training helps a great deal, like taking an art appreciation course at your local junior college, or at least visiting the local library and working your way through some books on both subjects.
Taking classes will likely also qualify you to shop in Adobe's Education Store, where they offer up to 80% off their retail prices.

I look for locations whenever I'm out and about town. For portrait type locations I'm on the lookout for open shade that has uncluttered backgrounds far enough back that I can get a good blurred background (depth-of-field).

I classify locations by the time of day they are most usable. For instance, areas that open to the east are not usable as open shade in the early mornings.

 

[JAC526]

Neiby -- I've read Understanding Exposure....I think I'll try to pick up Learning to see creatively. Thanks.

MTVision -- Great suggestion...I guess I should spend more time looking up some photo assignments.

KmH -- Basically always be aware...and I guess a trip to the library is in my future.

Thanks guys for the great suggestions and the rest of you...keep it coming.

 

[gsgary]

Take a walk without your camera and you will see more things to shoot and places to shoot a little trick i learnt years ago

 

[pgriz]

I've used this exercise - find an image that really appeals, and try to deconstruct it - light, composition, angle, positioning, etc. Then try to do the same. Compare your version to the one you used as the inspiration - how close did you get? Were there significant differences? Where are the highlights and shadows? If your attempt is completely off, compare and try to see what you missed and what is the difference in feel - then try again.

Keith notes something that many good photographers do - keep an eye out for good locations and visit them often to see how the light works. I've seen a nice city skyline take on a very different look when photographed just before dawn, with the rose/reddish light from the approaching dawn illuminating the buildings with the fading night behind them - an image I've seen (and shot) many times, but rendered completely otherwordly by someone who noticed the same and got there in the right light.

 

[KmH]

You also have to consider the time of year.

The Sun rises/sets farther south on the horizon, and is lower in the southern part of the sky all day in the winter, than in the summer.

So an interest in astronomy also dosn't hurt.

 

[pgriz]

Picking up on Keith's mention of astronomy, here's some more info:

An utility that I've used to plan things is found here: The Photographer's Ephemeris | Plan your shoot. It allows you to see from any location what direction and time the rising/setting of the sun/moon will happen, and what would the the elevation of either sun/moon at specific times of the day.

A free planetarium program that I've used is here: Stellarium, which shows you the sky at any latitude/longitude and at any time, allowing you to see what celestial objects of interest may be visible.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

As a new photographer how do I continue to find good subjects and locations to shoot?

Simple really. You go look for them.

 

[JWellman]

Take a walk without your camera and you will see more things to shoot and places to shoot a little trick i learnt years ago

I agree. Go walking and really look at things. Sometimes the end result will be a pleasant surprise and an object you thought was uninteresting becomes your favorite photo.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Take a walk without your camera and you will see more things to shoot and places to shoot a little trick i learnt years ago

I agree. Go walking and really look at things. Sometimes the end result will be a pleasant surprise and an object you thought was uninteresting becomes your favorite photo.

Go alone though, so you can focus!







(Jess, I'm teasing you!)

 

[JWellman]

:hug:: TRUE! Don't take fellow photographers with you because you'll talk each other's ears off and get nothing done. :lmao:

(Some of us think and focus better in solitary mode ---> That would be me. )

 

[ang1995]

:hug:: TRUE! Don't take fellow photographers with you because you'll talk each other's ears off and get nothing done. :lmao:

(Some of us think and focus better in solitary mode ---> That would be me. )

I totally agree! Walks alone with music and a camera are AWESOME!

 

[spacefuzz]

depends what you want to shoot. If your looking for landscape / city type subjects as a creative starting off point..... browse flickr by location tags on the photos. Can be an easy way to find a few good spots to start.