3 ms·

I personally prefer to take pictures of people, preferably people that I know. I almost never revisit photos I take of random things like landscapes or building

by regus 3y ago

I personally prefer to take pictures of people, preferably people that I know. I almost never revisit photos I take of random things like landscapes or buildings. In the hands of a more skilled photographer those pictures might be valuable, but for me taking pictures of random things seems like a waste. Especially since I primarily shoot film, and every single picture I take costs money. In twenty years which picture am I going to want to look at? A picture of a family member or a picture of a gas station?

Herval_freire 3y ago
The key is both. Your family member at a gas station doing something. A photo should tell a story. In twenty years you want the memory of the story not some posed artificial set up. Like with all stories, the setting is important so you should not discount the gas station.
hawski 3y ago
I agree with you, but I would add stuff serving as a reminder. It may be also something you or people you know made. As for reminders think about a story from your life you like to tell people. I have a few photos like that, for example a parrot I have found one day. Landscapes can also work for this. I have a photo in Belvedere in Potsdam, it was a beautiful sunny day and the photo was nice even if made with 1st gen Moto G, I'm always reminded of that day just looking at that photo. Or a photo of a view from window in Supetar, Croatia. I also prefer pictures of people, but I would generalize it to pictures that help form a memory, most are connected to people.
anta40 3y ago
I think the key is "be intentional". So if you take photos of old gas stations or buildings or whatever, the reason is because... say.. you are working on a documentary project. Or a photo book/essay. BTW, I still also shoot with 120 film and had certain themes to work on (like "color", "flower", "morning activities", etc). If I want to take (lots of) random images, my phone or DSLR is always ready. I understand your point, though. Probably lots of us urban photographers have more gas stations photos on their drives compared to their relatives :D

by regus 3y ago

Herval_freire 3y ago

The key is both. Your family member at a gas station doing something. A photo should tell a story. In twenty years you want the memory of the story not some posed artificial set up. Like with all stories, the setting is important so you should not discount the gas station.

hawski 3y ago

I agree with you, but I would add stuff serving as a reminder. It may be also something you or people you know made. As for reminders think about a story from your life you like to tell people. I have a few photos like that, for example a parrot I have found one day. Landscapes can also work for this. I have a photo in Belvedere in Potsdam, it was a beautiful sunny day and the photo was nice even if made with 1st gen Moto G, I'm always reminded of that day just looking at that photo. Or a photo of a view from window in Supetar, Croatia. I also prefer pictures of people, but I would generalize it to pictures that help form a memory, most are connected to people.

anta40 3y ago

I think the key is "be intentional". So if you take photos of old gas stations or buildings or whatever, the reason is because... say.. you are working on a documentary project. Or a photo book/essay. BTW, I still also shoot with 120 film and had certain themes to work on (like "color", "flower", "morning activities", etc). If I want to take (lots of) random images, my phone or DSLR is always ready. I understand your point, though. Probably lots of us urban photographers have more gas stations photos on their drives compared to their relatives :D