So as some of you may already know, we are headed to the beach for a family reunion this Friday. We'll be driving 12 hours with two dogs and staying in a cottage (with no fenced yard) for a week. Through all of the family chaos, excessive dog walking and general tourist insanity, I know there will be moments when I don't want to pull out my camera because it would just be too much trouble and I wouldn't have enough hands. However, being that I am a photographer, my camera will be pulled out often regardless. My dilemma is this: how do I push myself to really re-discover my inner photog again without just taking 1500 photos of the ocean? How do I take a photo of a beach vacation that doesn't look like everyone's else's 4000 photos of their beach vacations? Sure, I understand that some beachy touristy shots will be standard, but I just don't want them all to be those kind of shots. I've been schooled in art and photography, I know what makes a great image technically and intuitively. What I'm afraid of is the fact that I've become resigned in simply documenting my life lately, and I fear I will be too tired or distracted to really push myself and be artistic on this trip.
This is where you come in.
I want to know what you want to see in truly artistic "beach getaway" photos. Not so much the technical aspects of the photograph, but actual objects, scenes, moods, adjectives. What makes a beach vacation shot surpass itself and become "art?" What moves you when you think of the ocean? What do you see in your mind's eye when you're looking out at the water with your toes in the sand? That's what I want to try and capture.
So send me all your suggestions. You can describe it as much as you like, but I like to really explore and bend ideas so single words, adjectives or moods might be best. Just free flow, think of the ocean and how you feel when you're there. Then give me that. I'll see what I can do.
Keep in mind a few things - where we're going, there are none of the following: palm trees, bahama blue water, porcelain white sand, waterfalls. Nor are there rocky shores, high mountain cliffs, hot springs, volcanoes. Think lower East Coast, small lazy towns, lighthouses, fishing, pirate history.
Also, I can still receive your comments and emails on my phone while I'm away so send as many as you like for as long as you like. You never know, it might be your suggestion that causes me to break out my camera at that exact moment and capture something great. Isn't that what creativity is all about? Taking one idea and creating something else with it? I think so. Let's find out. Suggest away...