Given the current world events – photography may be more important to you than ever. Let me take just a moment to offer my prayers and sympathies to those who have been directly affected and to offer my wishes and hopes that all of you will be smart and remain diligent in your efforts to stay healthy until this situation is resolved.
View the full-res images on my Flickr Profile
I understand that many of you still have jobs that require you to show up at work during this difficult time. If that is your case – thank you for the work you do. For most of us based on the current CDC recommendations, we are going to be spending a lot more time at home over the next 8 weeks and if you are a people shooter like I am – you are hopefully cancelling shoots if they haven’t already been cancelled for you.
Does all of this mean that you are supposed to put your cameras away until it’s over? Definitely not! I would suggest that it is more important than ever that you pick up your camera and shoot right now. Sure – you may have to work, sure you may have to look after the kids, but just like exercise, find time to pick up your camera simply because it is an escape, an opportunity to do something that you enjoy – a chance to have a little fun in this challenging time.
After all,Photography is not only a form of art; it is also a means of expression and a way of communicating thoughts and feelings. A single photograph can tell a hundred different stories. This is one of the reasons why psychologists have recommended it as a form of therapy for some patients.
For me – picking up the camera right now is a way to escape all of the news headlines and the concerns that I have over the loss of income from cancelled shoots and speaking engagements.
Since I am completely shut down – I can’t in good conscious schedule shoots right now – I have decided to pick a genre of photography and challenge myself to create an image every day. The genre – abstracts. Taking every day objects and creating an image that is visually interesting. Those are the only rules. I may work with natural light – I may add some lights – I may paint with light – but I am going to photograph everyday objects in my home in ways that we aren’t used to seeing them.
I am posting an image each day – Monday through Friday – while this situation lasts. I will also post the image in my Facebook group – and I’ll post the full-res image on my Flickr Profile.
I hope that you will join me in using this time to expand your photography skills and your creative thinking. Step outside your box – try something different. You don’t have to do it daily if time doesn’t allow – but do it and make a habit out of it.
Don’t worry about making epic images – I don’t expect mine to be, Use this as an opportunity to grow as a photographer.
Stay safe – remain calm. By now you all have enough toilet paper so there is no need to panic. Most importantly remain healthy and pick up that camera and shoot something DIFFERENT because your BEST SHOT – It’s your Next shot!
View the full-res images on my Flickr Profile
Join my Facebook group to share your Stuck at Home images
