Strive To See The Ordinary

We are awed by things we’ve never seen: foreign lands, strange cultures and unique peoples. We immediately think that we’d love to have an opportunity to create a photo like that. Then the next thought is: too bad there is nothing like that around here. Seeing the extraordinary is only a short step from what is in front of us: we just don’t see it because it is commonplace. The people, plants and animals we have right here are exotic to someone who lives in a distant land or culture. If we can learn to see the ordinary, we can create exotic and compelling images. Robert Hall said: “Art helps us see with new eyes what we knew was there but never really recognized”.

I was reminded of this lesson, in a round about way, while attempting to craft an image of balls of oil seen through a glass jar. While cleaning up, I saw the oil balls from above: the lines and light created smooth organic shapes. I quickly reset everything for this perspective. The moral of the story? Always look at your subject and what is around you, from more than just the “standard way”.

Another perspective that’s important to the photographer is to “turn around”: there may be a more compelling image right behind you, or on the way to your planned location. I shared an example back in the summer. Younes Bounhar is very good at seeing both the ordinary and the stunning. I highly recommend you visit him and enjoy his photography.