Friday's Photolife--Unusual Subjects

When taking pictures, I love to focus in on different things. Things that others often overlook or would be embarrassed taking pictures of. I have been know to embarrass my family by hunching over some obscure nothing with camera in hand or laying down on the ground to get the angle I want.

I didn't have to embarrass anyone for this, but my husband thought it was weird that I was taking pictures of the windshield. Still. I love this picture.

The flowers aren't the only interesting thing about trees.

Why not take pictures of someone's feet? I got some strange looks for taking these, but I loved the red shoes, the gold shoes, the American flags on the anklets, the texture of the floor. There was some serious clogging action going on at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd, VA. This picture almost captures it for me. It's anonymous yet still has personality. Just like the mass of people dancing. I may have to go back and try again. I didn't get it exactly as I wanted, but you get the idea, right?

How about a pile of leaves and grass? This is one I'd probably use as a background for other fall pictures.

Don't forget things that seem stupid to take pictures of. The question I got for this? "Why are you taking pictures of the toilets?" "Hello! Because they're cool! And different. And what if I ever have to describe them in a story?"

At the arena while my daughter was riding her horse, the way the water puddles reflected and gave contour to the mud caught my eye. Why not take a picture? It may be strange to some, but I really like this shot. For whatever reason, it speaks to me.

Application to writing? Don't forget the little things when you're capturing a scene. Talk about the rain splattering on the windshield, the gray bark peeling off the crepe myrtle branches, the bright red shoes on the textured floor, the dull brown leaves with green grass peeking through, the oval toilettes with the shiny oval doors and the striped oval vents, the luminescent puddles against the shadowy mud. Inspiration can come from strange places. Sometimes.

Update from Wednesday's blog: Scott GF Bailey recommended listening to Maria Kliegel playing Bach on cello, and so I did. I was so impressed with her that I downloaded a CD of her playing Bach Suites and was just sitting here listening and blogging. Suddenly one of them moved me so much that I started crying. Oh my gosh I'm crying. It's so beautiful. That's what a well played cello can do to me. Thanks, Scott!