Where do I get my inspiration?
Visual or Verbal
Although Photography is obviously visual, it could also be interpreted as verbal too. Sometimes you cannot think of the words to express what you have to say, but yet there is always a photograph that would do it perfectly.
You know that makes sense when you check your Email inbox every day. There are always Emails from friends with attachments of kids or animals in amusing positions, or with weird or strange looks on their faces. You get the point of the image instantly. It may be "Look at that daft dog watching tv" or "A squirrel reading the paper!" It may be that it portrays an emotion or makes you feel something.
I often come up with amusing captions when I see a photo for the first time, that's because it has had the desired effect on me...and I took the photograph!
This is what I am trying to do with my photography. Where those photos make you think of words straight away, I want mine to conjure up emotions or memories in you. It may simply be a recognition of something, "been there, done that", but it may be something more profound. Maybe you are thrust back to a moment in your life where you felt particularly happy or carefree!
My Surroundings through a Lens
Of course the environment can be a large part of my inspiration. A large snow capped mountain with a soaring eagle in the bright blue sky would be inspiration enough for even the most uninspired. It could simply be an historic building like a castle cast in an eery evening light or cloaked in an early morning mist. Sometimes I can be driving along and see "that shot" and screech to a halt, in the hope of catching it before the moment is lost. Obviously, most photography opportunties don't appear on a silver platter ready for us to press the button. Most photographs require alot of planning, patience, skill, knowledge and a major slice of luck too.
Motivation and Subjects
There are a few of the things I consider when setting up a shot.
Firstly, I thnk about where I am.
- Is this travel photography?
- Does this shot have a sports angle I can use?
- Is the situation humerous?
- Did I say to myself "Now that's different" or "I haven't seen that before"?
Sometimes there are accidents or situations that require a fast hand to capture the moment. Sometimes you are lucky and get the shot and sometimes you are not, but you will nearly always get some shots that you were not expecting.
Who knows where I will be shooting next week or next year, but one thing is for sure, you can guarantee that I will be thinking about every detail to try and create an image that will inspire others.