Is There A Need To Travel To Photograph?

Maple leaf (click to enlarge)

Often times I feel that I need to "go somewhere" to find subjects to photograph.  Over the years I realized, almost without exception, that is not true.  There are many, many subjects close to one's home which make interesting photographic subjects.  You just have to open you mind, look at your environment with "fresh eyes," and see what you can find.

For example, I was out for a neighborhood walk one autumn day.  As I walked down the sidewalk I saw numerous maple leaves on the ground.  Thinking I may have a subject for a macro image, I stopped and looked for a leaf that was relatively free of decay and symmetrical. I instantly knew that I wanted to make a closeup image of it.  I suspect 99% of people would just walk by.

After returning to my home, the setup was easy.  I used a clip to attach the stem of the leaf to a stationary surface, used a 2800k high intensity desk lamp to light the leaf (the only light source) which threw the background into total blackness, then photographed the small leaf with a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens at f/11.  While editing, I cloned out some of the small black spots of decay as well as adjusted the saturation,  contrast and luminance to highlight the internal leaf detail.  I bet it didn't take more than 15 minutes to make this image but this image became one of my favorites.  I have a 16" X 24" matted and framed photograph of it on a wall in my home.

While editing this image, I spotted the small spot in the lower right corner, just to the left of the bottom right leaf "point."  Guess what?  A small insect!  Below is a detail image showing that little critter.

Even his little legs are rendered sharply in this image (click to enlarge)

So, if you are feeling a bit photographically stale, grab your camera and just walk or drive around the area in which you live (I used to take a camera with me to work every day and would leave the office at lunchtime to go out and photograph as well.  That served three purposes; It took my mind off work, relaxed me and generated some interesting images I always came back afterwards with a smile). 

If you slow down, look with "fresh eyes" to really "see" your surroundings and open your mind, you just may find some things that make interesting subjects that you have ignored in the past.  You will need to not only look forward, but look up, to the left and right, as well as up.  And don't forget to turn around on occasion and look behind you.  Things often times look much different from the other direction.

You don't have to travel to exotic places to find interesting subject matter.  Really.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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