“I find it strangely beautiful that the camera with its inherent clarity of object and detail can produce images that in spite of themselves offer possibilities to be more than they are. A photograph of nothing very important at all, nothing but an intuition, a response, a twitch from the photographer.” — Joel Meyerowitz
Lately I’ve wondered why I lean towards photographing ordinary places or things. Or why I’m drawn to the aesthetics of ordinary life and of nature. I don’t try to force things (setting up still life images for instance); instead preferring to be intrigued by whatever I come across — whether at home or while out exploring. Obscurity also interests me when in reality it’s something simple — yet when viewed through the lens, it may appear abstract. With all this pondering, I’ve also come to the realization that I simply trust myself to photograph whatever pleases me while not allowing myself to worry about how an image may appeal, or not, to someone else. There is a freedom in that ‘frame’ of mind.
“We don’t take pictures with our cameras. We take them with our hearts and we take them with our minds, and the camera is nothing more than a tool.” – Arnold Newman
May we all embrace the freedom to be ourselves including the possibility to be more than what we are.
i would guess you’re drawn to the scenes you’ve photographed here is because you perceive the patterns. (To understand is to perceive patterns. -Isaiah Berlin said that)
absolutely love the top one especially. isn’t it amazing what the camera picks up that the eye fails to see at the moment?
“With all this pondering, I’ve also come to the realization that I simply trust myself to photograph whatever pleases me while not allowing myself to worry about how an image may appeal, or not, to someone else. There is a freedom in that ‘frame’ of mind.”
This is my approach to blogging too and it’s such a liberation!
I always comment on people’s photos that I find such beauty in the mundane or a composition that is so minimalistic. I just wish that I would remember that when finding things to photograph. I get in the mindset that photographing is more of a task when it should be relaxing. That first photo of yours is so psychedelic with the ripple patterns and colors, yet so beautiful! Last week we received our first measurable snowfall of the season, so the coming week is finally showcasing some winter shots. Nothing beautiful (wish we had millions of evergreens in the area), but the silence in the outdoors and stillness in the air was so serene and relaxing.
Wow, that first photo could be an abstract painting – lovely! I think there is something spiritual about finding something extraordinary in the ordinary. 🙂