Same Old Location…Same Old Photo
River Tavy Dartmoor National Park
Are you tired of taking the same old photos at your favourite location? Do your photos lack the creative spark that once made you love photography? Don't worry, you're not alone. In a recent video, I explored five ways to inject new life into your photography and rediscover your passion for your favourite locations, And I’m going to summarise them for you here.
Let's start with something we all do out of habit - peak at the camera back. After you have taken a photo Zoom in on the LCD on your camera and identify elements that you particularly like. This will help you identify what works well in your photos and what you can improve on. In the photo above I like the way the water was flowing and changing direction over the slab of granite as in this image.
Whatever it is, the way zooming on the camera back is certainly one way of focusing your attention on the details, but there is a more obvious way. Change your focal length. Not but a few millimetres but by hundreds If you usually shoot with a wide-angle lens, go long at least 150mm - 300mm, and vice versa. This will help you see your favourite location in a new way and may reveal previously unnoticed compositions. That's exactly what I did in this photograph. tell your story online can make all the difference.
Third, experiment with different angles. Try shooting from a higher or lower perspective to get a different view of your favourite location. You can also try shooting from different positions, such as lying on the ground or standing on a rock. The goal is to find a unique perspective that makes your photos stand out.
Fourth, take advantage of the different lighting conditions available at different times of the day, the mood and atmosphere also change with the seasons. Manipulate reality - but not too much adding a neutral density filter to get those long shutter speeds and blur out that water can add mood in bucket loads especially if you’re shooting in black and white.
Finally, try something completely different. Break out of your comfort zone and try something new, such as using a different camera, shooting with a film camera, or trying a new genre of photography. This will challenge you and help you grow as a photographer
This final photograph uses these last few points, shooting in black and white, using a 6 stop Neutral Density filter changed the look and feel of the image. As for the different angle - you won't believe how simple it was - I turned around 180 degrees. it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
To See All Of These Ideas In Practice And Find Out How I Made These Photographs Check Out The Video
In conclusion, it's easy to fall into a rut and take the same old photos at your favourite location. But with a little creativity and experimentation, you can inject new life into your photography and rediscover your passion for your art. So grab your camera, try out these tips, and see what new and exciting photos you can create!