Fabric on our patio chairs

Sometimes photographers suffer from a “visual block.”  It is very similar to the “writers block.”

What do you do to get some inspiration.  This is one of many techniques I use.

1. Pick a macro lens or use your point and shoot on the macro (flower) setting. 
2. Set the lens to the closest focus setting.  
3. Set the f/stop on f/8 or greater.  Very important if using a macro lens on DSLR
4. Get as close as you can without refocusing, but you getting the photo in focus by just getting closer or further back to keep the object in focus.

A screw in our deck

As you hunt for different things to photograph this close, you will notice you will often cast a shadow on the objects–be careful not to do that.  If you want to make this more fun then use a small compact mirror (ladies have them in their purses) and bounce some light where you are casting a shadow.  You can also just use a 3×5 white index card and that will work just as well.

Glaze finish on our kitchen cabinets

A photographer who needed to go back and get something and left his intern to watch the equipment at a photo shoot. They were in the middle of no where. Just a car there in the field.  When the photographer returned he asked the intern what he got and he said nothing–there is nothing to shoot.  The photographer then took the camera and shot about a dozen or so images in just a few moments and handed back to the intern.

They were all spectacular.  Jay Maisel was that photographer.  The intern got an incredible lesson that day, the images are all around you.  The creative photographer will find them.

Water on our deck where you can see the reflection of the sky