Sometimes we've got to make do with what we have. Yet, sometimes what we have becomes redundant and boring. How are we supposed to take unique pictures if we cannot find unique places? Finding spots to take pictures in is not too difficult if you know what to watch out for. If you do not live in an area with tuscan villa gardens or blooming fields of flowers, fear not! Here are some tips on taking pictures in boring places to to spice up your portfolio or instagram account.
Yeah, we've all tried our backyards at one point, but have you actually stopped and looked around to find detail within your backyard?
Tip #1: Don't look at the BIG picture, instead, focus in on small aspects of the BIG picture and magnify its' beauty.
I took a picture of my cousin (pictured below) in my tÃa's backyard. She had a huge hedge in the back and I positioned my cousin there and snapped a photo. There were dogs running around, a pool behind me, and a train on the other side of the hedge. Also, my cousin was wearing her swimsuit cover, and her hair had been dipped in chlorine and dried out in the sun.
These conditions were not ideal, but I've got a lot of compliments on this particular photo. I think it's because I was able to capture a small moment amongst everything going on around me.
Tip #2: Change your perspective. Go even smaller. Use your perspective to guide the photo.
If you can't find something in your backyard, then put something (or someone) in it. I had to do an assignment with the theme Color. I had no idea how to do it and it was due the next day. I was too young to drive and I did not want to spend a lot of money on my assignment since we had one every other day. How am I supposed to get an A+ on an assignment under these circumstances?
Then, I spotted blueberries in the back of my refrigerator, washed them (for effect), and took the small container outside. I set them on a small table and dragged it into the middle of the yard for natural light. I zoomed into the cluster of blueberries and snapped away.
Every time I tell someone I took this photo in my backyard using blueberries that had been forgotten in the back of my refrigerator, they usually do not believe me (my photography teacher even has it hung in her classroom).
Sometimes small is good. Beauty can be found in everything if you look for it.
Tip#3: Props
Adding props (such as blueberries or lightbulbs) can drastically change your surroundings and offer a more unique perspective.
Tip#4: Angles.
Along with switching perspectives, it's important to consider different angles and how they affect your photo. A high angle (like the pie pictured below) is vastly differently than if I zoomed in (like the ladybug picture) and focused on certain aspects of it, such as the crust of the pie.
Sometimes small aspects can tell a story, but the BIG picture may be needed to emphasize your meaning.
Taking pictures in places you normally would not consider, such as your backyard or the side of a gas station (which is where I took the ladybug picture above), makes it more challenging and worth it in the end. It allows you to get creative and spot details in unconventional areas. Although the location can help your photo, it's really the photographer that makes or breaks a photo--and training your eyes to find unique locations within bland areas can help you build your photography skills for the future.
xx,
Gabriella