Friday, January 8, 2010

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!

10 comments:

Davin Malasarn said...

See, I do stuff like this too. I take pictures of these things that I think are very interesting that no one has noticed, but the pictures never turn out as nice as yours. When I started writing, I think my details seemed random too. :P

Yat-Yee said...

I love the pictures of the leaves especially. And Bach cello and violin Suites have made me cry before. Thanks for sharing your beautiful details.

PJ Hoover said...

OMg, the shoes are awesome!
And I am so glad I'm not the only one who takes pictures of unusual toilets. I can think of at least three off the top of my head sitting in my photos folder :)

sarahjayne smythe said...

I think that first picture of the windshield is incredible. And I love the one of the shoes. You have a great eye for detail and for what will make an interesting shot.

Candice said...

It's funny, but as I was reading your blog I was thinking, wow, Lois really notices the small stuff and details. The you gave us the writing application and I felt so smug. :)

Sherrie Petersen said...

Wonderful details!

I've embarrassed people by laying on the ground and taking pictures. I got a great shot looking up at a fire escape from laying underneath it.

The windshield is very cool. And if I'd seen those toilets, I would have taken a picture too!

Jenni James said...

What a fun post. I really enjoyed this one. You do seem to notice the small things that escape the rest of us. I love it!

Jenni

Anonymous said...

A photograph is not a photograph unless you have to crawl around on the floor to get it...Loved your pics, esp the windshield and red shoes

Jessie Oliveros said...

You are so talented. And this was PERFECT advice for me right now.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

This is why I love you, Lois, and why it was so great to tromp around D.C. and not feel like a complete dork stopping every two seconds to take pictures of whatever.

I LOVE that mud one at the end. And I love that you say, what if I have to describe them in a story? Heheh, that's so true.