Picture It.
April 30, 2009 11:53 AM Subscribe
I need recommendations for where to take interesting pictures - I love taking photos of flowers, shadows, interesting architecture, people (candid, mostly) but I'm also getting bored with the first three. What are some things I can take pictures of that are interesting and challenging? I'd like to experiment with pictures of things in motion, urban decay and grafitti. Bonus points if you can recommend locations in and around San Antonio, that are free, open to the public and where I can spend a lot of time (ps- already did the Tea Gardens).
Gay Pride parades are generally a good place for candids; lots of people, some are dressed up, everyone's in a good mood, and it's hard to be self-conscious when you're dancing on top of a float in tighty-whities and a cowboy hat.
San Antonio's PrideFest takes place on Saturday, June 13. I have never personally been that particular event because I don't live in San Antonio, but I do know that pride events are hella fun, no matter where you land on the sexuality spectrum.
posted by Juliet Banana at 12:33 PM on April 30, 2009
San Antonio's PrideFest takes place on Saturday, June 13. I have never personally been that particular event because I don't live in San Antonio, but I do know that pride events are hella fun, no matter where you land on the sexuality spectrum.
posted by Juliet Banana at 12:33 PM on April 30, 2009
I think that you can find something interesting anywhere you are. I haven't tried this experiment yet, but I've thought that if you stand somewhere and look hard enough, something will be interesting enough to capture. Maybe you need to stand on your toes, or get on the ground, but there's something everywhere.
Also, take different routes, even if it's to go to the usual locations. Get up earlier, or stay out later.
To broaden yourself, find galleries of interesting every-day shots. Maybe wander around Flickr or other online sites, or check out physical galleries. Perhaps go and browse a book store's art section. There's always something out there.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:36 PM on April 30, 2009
Also, take different routes, even if it's to go to the usual locations. Get up earlier, or stay out later.
To broaden yourself, find galleries of interesting every-day shots. Maybe wander around Flickr or other online sites, or check out physical galleries. Perhaps go and browse a book store's art section. There's always something out there.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:36 PM on April 30, 2009
You could combine your interest of things in motion + graffiti + urban decay by taking pictures of local skateboarders that use city spaces to practice. I would introduce yourself and ask their permission first, of course, but I'm sure that you could find several that wouldn't mind being photographed.
I'm not familiar with the San Antonio area, though - perhaps someone else would be able to tell you the best spots?
posted by amicamentis at 12:41 PM on April 30, 2009
I'm not familiar with the San Antonio area, though - perhaps someone else would be able to tell you the best spots?
posted by amicamentis at 12:41 PM on April 30, 2009
You can pick up a project, like 100 Strangers. It forces you out of candids and into approaching people for portraits. Is kind of scary, but also kind of fun (disclosure: I'm only on #20-something and I've been "participating" for the last year-ish). Or even challenge yourself to take n-number of photos of one subject: stop signs, curb drains, license plates that have an X in them, whatever. While you're out searching for another one of your subject to shoot, you're bound to find some other interesting things to shoot.
I like to do a lot of walking, find a street I haven't walked down yet. Take a new path, a new route, a new neighborhood I'd normally never experience. Walk through a trailer park, take allys, get off the main roads, get out of the shiny parts of the city.
posted by rhapsodie at 12:44 PM on April 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
I like to do a lot of walking, find a street I haven't walked down yet. Take a new path, a new route, a new neighborhood I'd normally never experience. Walk through a trailer park, take allys, get off the main roads, get out of the shiny parts of the city.
posted by rhapsodie at 12:44 PM on April 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yeah I think you need to think about things that interest you and photograph them. It's your time and you can do what you want, and taking pictures of random things is totally cool, but if you are interested in developing skills as a photographer, you'll find that photographers tend to work on a project, usually something that's important to them.
That could be
:portraits of everyone in my extended family (which is an excellent idea, because, you know, people get older and then die...so the pictures have meaning)
:photographs of all the post offices within 100 miles of San Antonio
:photographs of all the beer bottles ever made in San Antonio
What you might find yourself looking for at some point is a group of pictures, rather than one picture. Something that means something as a whole. I know I'm not answering your question, but if you don't mind I'll turn it back on you: What pictures would you have liked to have taken in 10 years that you can take now. You will find photography becomes a lot more important to you if you think about it like that.
posted by sully75 at 12:50 PM on April 30, 2009
That could be
:portraits of everyone in my extended family (which is an excellent idea, because, you know, people get older and then die...so the pictures have meaning)
:photographs of all the post offices within 100 miles of San Antonio
:photographs of all the beer bottles ever made in San Antonio
What you might find yourself looking for at some point is a group of pictures, rather than one picture. Something that means something as a whole. I know I'm not answering your question, but if you don't mind I'll turn it back on you: What pictures would you have liked to have taken in 10 years that you can take now. You will find photography becomes a lot more important to you if you think about it like that.
posted by sully75 at 12:50 PM on April 30, 2009
I loved going out and hiking Government Canyon. Went out there most weekends taking pictures of all the flora and fauna. Here's a photo set of pictures I took out there. Costs $6 though.
posted by sanka at 3:44 PM on April 30, 2009
posted by sanka at 3:44 PM on April 30, 2009
Close-ups! Not sure if you've tried these or not. You said you were bored with the first three subjects you mentioned. I have a garden and love taking pictures of parts of the flowers and plants close-up. I mean as close as you possibly can. Dew drops on leaves, flower petal, etc. Where theres a garden there are insects too. Get as close as you can to them. Try taking the picture from different angles with a macro lens if you have that option. If its to far down or too awkward an angle, place your camera at arms length (low to ground) and press the shutter, provided your camera is at or outside of its minimum distance range. Spiders, especially if they are in their web, or bees can be very neat looking while on a flower when viewed close-up on your computer screen or enlarged in a print.
Pictures of the sand, pebbles or whatever at a beach look entirely different to the eye when close-up pictures are taken.
What about photos taken at parks or zoos?
Cemeteries.
What about taking pictures of traffic on a highway after sunset or before sunrise? Vehicles have a whole new appearance traveling along a highway with the headlights and/or tail lights streaming in the darkness after say five or ten seconds, maybe longer? Put your camera on a tripod and try some time lapse photography. The same method can be used with people walking during rush hour (in daylight of course) on busy main streets. Set the camera on a tripod and take photos through the window of a highrise building or on an overpass.
Something else I like to do is when you see a building starting to be built, take a picture every week or so starting with the vacant site or foundation. Churches and schools for example. Figure out a time frame ( eg. a few days, one week, two weeks, or just random photos taken anytime! ) and take pictures from the exact same spot until the building is complete, again using a tripod.
Neon signs can be fun when taking pictures at night.
posted by Taurid at 4:06 PM on April 30, 2009
Pictures of the sand, pebbles or whatever at a beach look entirely different to the eye when close-up pictures are taken.
What about photos taken at parks or zoos?
Cemeteries.
What about taking pictures of traffic on a highway after sunset or before sunrise? Vehicles have a whole new appearance traveling along a highway with the headlights and/or tail lights streaming in the darkness after say five or ten seconds, maybe longer? Put your camera on a tripod and try some time lapse photography. The same method can be used with people walking during rush hour (in daylight of course) on busy main streets. Set the camera on a tripod and take photos through the window of a highrise building or on an overpass.
Something else I like to do is when you see a building starting to be built, take a picture every week or so starting with the vacant site or foundation. Churches and schools for example. Figure out a time frame ( eg. a few days, one week, two weeks, or just random photos taken anytime! ) and take pictures from the exact same spot until the building is complete, again using a tripod.
Neon signs can be fun when taking pictures at night.
posted by Taurid at 4:06 PM on April 30, 2009
Witte Museum? McNay? the Missions? Going out to Canyon Lake? Robber Baron Caves? Brackenridge Park? A football game at a university (there are tons!). Hildebrand and Olmos Park (Bharmacy), gah, all of Broadway. Incarnate Word. Trinity's windy trees. San Antonio Zoo. Also, I've always liked that building of Grace Lutheran Church downdown that you can see from 281--I think it must be their food bank or something. Oh, gosh, and the view from Hildebrand down to San Antonio (right when Devine becomes Stadium at Hildebrand) is stunning--I think you could get a great shot of the skyline from there, maybe from Alamo Stadium.
posted by Dukat at 4:17 PM on April 30, 2009
posted by Dukat at 4:17 PM on April 30, 2009
sully75's answer is right on. If you find a subject that is compelling to you, the pictures will suddenly become a lot more interesting to both you and everyone else you show them to.
And then, before you take pictures of that compelling subject, spend a little time getting to know the great photographic treatments of the subject. If you're really into photographing mountains, for instance, spend a bunch of time looking at Ansel Adams or Galen Rowell's work, or if you really want to photograph candid street scenes, spend a day looking at all of Henri Cartier-Bresson's work. Then, think about what the photographer needed to do to capture exactly what they did. Whether it's getting up at 2am to hike for 4 hours to get a perfect sunrise, or whether it's watching a street sweeper work for a few minutes to learn that she wipes her brow when she reaches a fire hydrant, there's a lot of work beyond pushing the shutter button that goes into the process of capturing the perfect moment or perfect light. Then, when you think you've figured out a little of what the photographic greats might do before and after taking a picture, try to apply that to your own method. For instance, street photography of people involves a lot of waiting/walking around in high traffic areas, quick camera movements, an unimposing demeanor, and the ability to roll with the punches when people get angry or weirded out.
Also, taking a million pictures of the same thing gets real boring, real fast. For my money, the best pictures are those that tell stories. Again, you've got to figure out what story you want to tell and how a picture can even tell a story. Then, when you think you've got that figured out, go out and try to make a picture that accomplishes those things. These stories can be like mini movies, or they can be emotions, or whatever, and they definitely don't need to be set up. When you're able to make pictures that communicate rather than just show, you're on to something.
posted by msbrauer at 11:33 PM on April 30, 2009
And then, before you take pictures of that compelling subject, spend a little time getting to know the great photographic treatments of the subject. If you're really into photographing mountains, for instance, spend a bunch of time looking at Ansel Adams or Galen Rowell's work, or if you really want to photograph candid street scenes, spend a day looking at all of Henri Cartier-Bresson's work. Then, think about what the photographer needed to do to capture exactly what they did. Whether it's getting up at 2am to hike for 4 hours to get a perfect sunrise, or whether it's watching a street sweeper work for a few minutes to learn that she wipes her brow when she reaches a fire hydrant, there's a lot of work beyond pushing the shutter button that goes into the process of capturing the perfect moment or perfect light. Then, when you think you've figured out a little of what the photographic greats might do before and after taking a picture, try to apply that to your own method. For instance, street photography of people involves a lot of waiting/walking around in high traffic areas, quick camera movements, an unimposing demeanor, and the ability to roll with the punches when people get angry or weirded out.
Also, taking a million pictures of the same thing gets real boring, real fast. For my money, the best pictures are those that tell stories. Again, you've got to figure out what story you want to tell and how a picture can even tell a story. Then, when you think you've got that figured out, go out and try to make a picture that accomplishes those things. These stories can be like mini movies, or they can be emotions, or whatever, and they definitely don't need to be set up. When you're able to make pictures that communicate rather than just show, you're on to something.
posted by msbrauer at 11:33 PM on April 30, 2009
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posted by nitsuj at 12:00 PM on April 30, 2009