I am loving this photography project way too much. I’ve taken no less than 500+ photos in recent days (including my practicing shots). I can’t stop looking for shadows, light bombs, reflections, people. Of course, I’ve deleted a whack of those photos and there are some that you may never see. They’re decent — or at least I think they are — but I have to whittle them down to only those that ‘make the cut.’

I’ve taken to posting a few of my ‘rejects’ to Twitter, though they’re not really rejects, but they’re not “A-list” either. I’d love to talk to other photographers — to get more feedback.

Photographing people is still my real challenge. I’ve been successful here catching a moment but also taking advantage of the importance/signficance of shadows, without ‘blowing out’ any highlights.

There’s no question this project has seriously rekindled my photography mojo. I’m loving the freedom of the experimentation. I’m also loving the results I’ve achieved so far. If this is how it goes in the beginning, I look forward to what I learn and where I may be when the project comes to its close. Have you ever embarked upon a project where you surprised yourself with the results? What a feeling.

Andrew Weil said, “You’ve got to experiment to figure out what works.” I’ve really always known that and, intuitively, that’s how I’ve moved through life. But when you take experimentation on in a distinctly intentional way, the line on the graph climbs exponentially.

This may not immediately look like a success to some, but it was. I utilized the ray of sunshine that was hitting these people. I focused on them so that, intentionally, the shadows would fall all around them (which then acts as a frame). I loved the anonymity created with the person walking past. Captured.

Though I’ve stated it before, to move from always focusing on images in which everything is ‘visible’ and usually light and bright, this transition to learning the benefit of embracing shadows has been an unfamiliar yet eye-opening undertaking. Just as a cook needs to learn to diversify in the types of foods and the differences in spices, cooking methods, and ingredients used, so too should a photographer embrace their own diversifications.

“It’s much easier on the emotions when one sees life as an experiment rather than a struggle for popularity.” said Criss Jami. As she says, I don’t worry about the popularity of my experiments or what the outcome may be from those experiments. I’m not out to find what works for others; I’m in this to find out what works for me. I love what Lailah Gifty Akita exhorts, “Experiment, explore.”  Yes Lailah, I shall continue to experiment and explore.

“I don’t try to guess what a million people will like. It’s hard enough to know what I like.” –John Huston.

This one was easy. And this is something that likely appeals to a lot of people. It’s not “out of the ordinary” but it does capture and utilize both shadow and reflections.

Here is wishing you weeks, months — heck, a lifetime of experimenting and exploring. Please share with me your experiments (successful or not) and your explorations. I’ll be waiting …

2 thoughts on “Experiment, explore”

  1. Recently I have been pondering on the person I was meant to be and how that person disappeared under the weight of duty, loyalty, responsibilities and other people’s expectations. Your post has given me a lot to think about. My experiment would be one of reclamation. You have given me hope.

  2. the children are so sweet and peering into a moment of their world is a treasure. what a wonderful time of year to capture the long shadows.

    absolutely gotta love the pier shot. it’s stunning.

Comments are closed.