The more outgoing option is to go out and photograph a person who catches your attention on the street or park. Think National Geographic in capturing a certain type of person that when viewed is defined as an identity. For instance, taking a picture of an athlete in his jersey with sweat still on his face can show a point of view for athletes. Or capturing a painter with their overalls covered in different colored swipes of paint creates a snip-it of that person’s identity. Taking a picture when everyone is dressed and done up captures a happy memory, but shooting a subject in their more routine surroundings captures an identity. A good way to take a strangers picture without feeling like a stalker or paparazzi is to ask them if you can take their picture for a class. This is a common tactic used in ethnography and it makes people feel better to know the photo is for a purpose and not for some odd collection. Another way to ask is to be more direct with the person and say you truly find them inspiring and would love to document their identity in a picture. A way to make them feel better about posing for you is if you ask for their e-mail or offer them yours in order to share the photo you take OF them, WITH them.
Another less random, but equally powerful option for finding inspiration in those around you is to “not forget the little people”. Your everyday friends, family, and acquaintances spend so much time around you every day, that you forget that this time together is some of the most important time of your life. Don’t forget to document your neighbor that always helps you when you go out of town, not only for your own memories, but they make amazing gifts and show that they matter to you.
Second, another place to find inspiration is when you are trying to find ways to decorate! Nowadays, it is simple to put your SD card into your computer and upload your photos to an album on your Facebook or computer. Because we rarely now take our “film” to the hour photo at Rite Aid to make us prints, a lot of our memories and documentation is solely on our computers. While some like putting photos of people on their walls, and other like scenery and nature for decorating, we forget that we are photographers!
For most, the passion and enthusiasm for photography can be the sole inspiration, but for those who have started noticing their camera hasn’t seen the light of day in more time than they like, these little tips for inspiration will hopefully either give you that little push or motivate you to find your own inspirations in your life!
San Diego Photographer
Authors Note: I would love to give credit to Salvador Lopez, my brother, for the above 3 sequence of photos. He is an incredible photographer who inspires me everyday by taking me on hikes and adventures to get the best photos possible. AND, I personally have a handful of his photos as true art throughout my apartment!