The Moment Everyday Becomes Art: The Secret to Finding Photography Ideas Revealed

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed by photography? 📸 Want to take great photos but don't know what subject to choose or where to start? In this article, I'll show you how to find photo ideas in everyday life and plan your own unique photoshoot concept.

"What should I go shoot this weekend?"... This is a question that any photography enthusiast has probably asked themselves at least once. I've been there too. We've all had the experience of ambitiously leaving home with a pretty camera, only to come back with no idea what to shoot and just clicking the shutter, right? 😅 It seems like it's not as easy as you think to find great photo ideas in the mundane details of everyday life. So today, I'm going to talk honestly about how I usually get my photo subjects and ideas, and where they start. I do it.

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1. Find inspiration in everyday life: Believe in the power of 'observation'! 👀

Photography ideas aren't far away. They're hidden all around us, very close to us. I recommend keeping a "daily observation journal." Don't write anything fancy; just jot down "unique things you saw today."

• Light and Shadow: Morning sunlight streaming through a window, long afternoon shadows, neon signs on a night street, etc.
• Color: The red of a bus handle, the blue paint of an old building, the colorful fruits at the market.
• Texture and Pattern: The rough surface of old wood, the repetitive pattern of a tile floor, rain-soaked asphalt, etc.

If you make a habit of capturing everyday moments like this, your mind will soon be filled with images you want to capture. Even my commute, which I thought was always the same, often turns into a new photo subject one day.

 

2. Keyword Expansion: One Word Can Create Infinite Ideas 💡

If you're having trouble coming up with photo ideas, choosing just one keyword and starting from there can be a really effective way. For example, let's think about the keyword 'solitude'.

• Location: An empty park bench, a window on a rainy day, a convenience store at dawn, a deserted alley.
• People: A person with only their backs visible, a silhouette standing blankly, someone staring out the window.
• Objects: A lonely coffee cup, a seemingly forgotten old book, an unoccupied chair.
• Color: Cool blue tones, black-and-white photography.

What do you think? The word "solitude" alone already brings to mind various photoshoot concepts, doesn't it? If you practice visualizing abstract emotions into concrete elements like this, you will naturally develop your own style.

📌 Tip! Create a keyword list

💡 Create your own 'emotion/word dictionary'!
Make a list of words or emotions that impressed you from your favorite movies, songs, and books. You can look at this list for inspiration later when you're stuck for a subject to photograph.

 

3. Learn from others' perspectives: 'Imitation' is the beginning of creation! 🖼️

Seeing other people's work is also really important. Personally, I frequently use platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Behance. By looking at various references for photo concepts, colors, and compositions, I often get the realization, "Wow, I can take photos like this too!"

However, the key here isn't simply copying them exactly, but analyzing "why is this photo so great?". Things like the composition, how the light was used, and the dominant colors. This process will help you practice incorporating others' work into your own, ultimately helping you develop your own style.

Example: Analyzing a Photo 📝

Look at a photo and ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the main subject of this photo?
• Which color stands out the most?
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