Over the last few months I've noticed how miserable I feel when I don't get out to take photos. I may console myself by editing the backlog of photos on my hard drive, or by coming up with an indoor photo shoot idea like macro, or making a photo of Isaac flying on Pegasus.
The truth is, getting out the house and going places to photograph gives me so much pleasure, enjoyment and energy. I feel connected to my artistic calling in a way that sitting front of a computer does not.
The reality is that this is not always possible. Life is full of complications and errands and taking care of kids during Summer. I can bide my time. It is far more painful, though, when I have time to go out but no plan of where.
I'm constantly making note of potential locations to shoot. It might be an abandoned building, a vantage point from a bridge, a river trail. It might even be a genre of images, like minimalistic urban architecture. These ask help me to have the next day's shoot in mind, and my unconscious mind mulling over the possibilities of what shots I want to come home with.
There are times, though, when I didn't think this through ahead of time. Waking up at 5am for no plan in particular is not fun! I'm more likely to roll over and hit snooze.
As I'm writing this, I'm getting the inspiration to have a week's shooting locations mapped out, perhaps each Saturday I write out where I want to go and the goals I have for each shot.
Today's a case in point. I'm on the train to center city, hoping to catch some Labor Day crowds. But I'm not clear on my goal. I kinda want to ask ten people if I can photograph them*, but it's a half hearted commitment. I haven't really thought through the shots I want. Though I think the practice of asking will be learning enough. Okay, that's my goal, then. Ask ten people if I can photograph. No expectations of the outcome. I'll let you know how I go...
* got this exercise idea from Eric Kim (http://erickimphotography.com/)