I’ve been working in Boston for nearly four years between the South End and Back Bay, arguably two of the most picturesque parts of town. As a photographer I’m always looking for something to catch my attention; something that grabs my mind’s eye and begs to be photographed. Lately I’ve been having trouble finding and creating images in the area. Today I figured out why.
As attractive an area it is, it is also a cacophony of visual stimulation. It’s a visual tossed salad. It’s a panacea of pieces. There are marble buildings next to brick buildings next to black granite. The streets are black asphalt of varying layers and conditions. The sidewalks....well, the sidewalks are unpredictable in material composition, color, texture and — without a doubt — safety. There’s brick, pavers, asphalt, stone, dirt, old concrete, new concrete, and wood. The sunlight in the area will be blazing on one block and completely absent on the next. The streetlights and storefront signs make it impossible to rest your eye at night.
So what’s a photographer to do?
Isolate your subject. Get close. Move in. And I don’t mean zoom in. I mean move-your-feet-and-almost-put-yourself-in-the-scene close. If you feel like your too close, then it’s probably just about right.
Also, don’t just stand and shoot. Change your perspective—get lower than your subject; get higher than your subject; use a wide angle to create dramatic impact. There’s nothing quite like getting right on top of your subject with a wide angle lens.
Not everyone is comfortable getting in on a subject. I get it. Me too. But don’t let it stop you. My suggestion is to experiment with friends. They won’t care if you zip right up to them and shoot your photos. In fact it will probably make the experience fun. Once you get used to getting close to friends, it gets easier with strangers.
What do you have to lose? Nothing. What do you have to gain? Great photos! Get in there and shoot close!
This shot is OK. It has some interest, but I didn’t commit to either the motorcycle or the mechanics. I didn’t move in, so there’s interest but low impact.
Getting in close creates impact and makes connections.