CHARLOTTE – I challenge you to take a look at your surroundings. Once you really begin to look at the world to capture photographs, everything begins to take on a new character and interest.

To sharpen this new take on familiar surroundings, strive for the unexpected.  Think of what household items might make interesting still lifes; notice the shadows and the highlights cast by the ambient light and how it changes your image as the light moves throughout the day. Revisit the same scene at different times of the day to see what I am talking about.  You will be amazed as to how different light affects your image.

Go outdoors; look at the detail just around your own home.  The cracks in the sidewalk, leaves on the ground, steps to the doorway, all can make interesting photographs.

Try different frames (horizontal and vertical) and different perspectives.  A good way of doing this is to position your camera at different angles and heights and photograph vertically and horizontally.  Don’t let yourself continually photograph at the same level; get moving up and down and you will truly see the most common elements differently.

Simple works of art are all around you.  Sometimes it just takes a fresh eye to see the possibilities that are clearly in plain sight.

For information on our next photography class, please call 704-598-9099.