We all do not live in iconic locations but there are still many subjects and vistas that are interesting just waiting to be photographed. This month’s theme challenge, “In Your Home Town“, I encourage you to go out within a 10km (6.2 mile) radius of where you live, to look and observe with fresh eyes what there is to photograph. This month is an open category which basically means make an image of any subject or scene that you find interesting. This month’s challenge is intended to get you out to see your home town with a new attitude, noticing things that may not have caught your attention before, just get out more often and look more closely under different weather or lighting conditions to help you see things in an interesting way.
Time to practice what you have learned so far; exposure, composition, interesting subject(s), timing, and making use of available light. Similar to previous challenges, it doesn’t matter what camera you have, even the camera in your phone will work. Depending on the gear you have it will allow you to take different images.
Stretch your creativity and let’s see what images you create this month from your home town. Below are some examples of what’s in my home town; which is a fishing community with the ocean, beaches, islands, and a provincial park.
Wildlife
This time of year (late August and early September) bird migration is taking place which provides opportunities to capture shorebird images such as Willets, Plovers, and Great Blue Herons. There is also other wildlife to photograph such as Gray Seals, Robins, Warblers, Porcupines, and Deer. Getting out more often with your camera is the key. With some animals/mammals/birds it depends on the time of day and sometimes being in the right place at the right time gives you the possibility of capturing an image.
Water
In our area hurricane season brings waves and they are exciting to photograph. Choosing a slow shutter speed to create an ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) image or a faster shutter speed to freeze a wave or the crashing of a wave against the shoreline. Don’t be afraid to get out and have fun, but at the same time keep safety in mind.
Industry
We have an ocean pen Salmon Fishery in our area which can provide opportunities to photograph boats you may not have seen before. These are usually taken with a longer focal length because it’s located about 500meters from the shore and has Saddle Island in the background which is approximately 1000 meters away. It’s always interesting what you will see, such as atmospheric fog between islands or golden light on the pens and boats. Sometimes a collection of images can tell more of a story.
Variety
There are many things that may present themselves to be photographed which provides a variety of possible images. Take your time choosing the right aperture, shutter speed and composition to complement your subject. Go out at different times of the day when the light is amazing it really helps with creating great images. Compose your images to suit the subject, for example the hair braids from a horse in our local area. It provided a more interesting photo instead of a wider view of the horse due to the busy environment the horse was in. Notice the background colour complements the image as well.
Seascapes
Early in the morning or late in the day makes for great colour. Go out when the sun is rising or setting to get that golden light. Make use of the movement in the water to introduce some interest in your photo. When using slower shutter speeds it really helps to use a tripod which results in a sharp image.
Additional Resources
We try to seek out additional instructional resources for our monthly challenges, Below are some YouTube video links to help with techniques, hints, and ideas for Taking photos in a small town or in Boring Locations:
■ Photography Tips: How to find photos when the location’s ‘boring’ by: Mike Browne (11min 50sec)
■ Making Photography In A Small Town by: Evan Ranft (10min 30sec)
■ Photography in the World’s Most Boring Town by: Henry Turner (20min 1sec)
■ How to Take Stunning Landscape Photos in “Boring” Locations by: Mads Peter Iversen (10min 39sec)
■ Boring Landscapes? How Foregrounds Will Improve Your Photos by: Nigel Danson (20min 18sec)
You’re encouraged to develop the ability to “tell a story or invoke an emotion“, as well as learn to plan and troubleshoot while creating images.
- It’s important to not only create an image but to also include a “Title”, this process helps with; determining your subject or story, and composition.
- Try writing a short paragraph about; how you came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled you to make the image, and describe any techniques how you overcame any obstacles.
- Do some research and include any relevant information behind the subject of your image. This helps with planning and your approach for a story
An important part of improving your photography is practice, practice, practice which is one important aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips that you are not familiar with.
Share your images and stories experienced this month
Even though this website is not setup to directly upload your images, you can achieve something similar by commenting on this post; firstly pasting your social media link to your image in the comment, then type any additional message you’d like to share. Everyone who visits will be able to visit your link. Note comments are moderated so it will not show up right away. We do get notifications when any comment is posted, so it won’t take long to get approved and subsequently show up. By pasting your social media link in your comment, it gives everyone visiting the bog a chance to click the link to see your image for the challenge and also the ability to look at your other work by viewing your social media through your pasted link. We want sharing to be a positive experience and we hope you have fun with this month’s dual photo challenge.
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