Seeing Ordinary

2008-08-19

Old Mason Jars, ISO 200, 80mm, f5.6, 1/100
Bad Mason Jar Rim, ISO 200, 80mm, f5.6, 1/40
Do you ever wonder what photographers do in their spare time? I like to photograph simple ordinary tasks and objects. Like cleaning house or canning vegetables. Why do I do this? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the experience or a way to play with and practice a new technique or accessory I just learned or bought. All the while, I accomplish a daily chore while exercising my vision.

I believe we all see things differently. In fact, I believe we see with our mind and not really our eyes. How else would you explain a person being blind and yet producing excellent, beautiful photographs? (Example: Flickr: Blind Photographers Group)

This also explains why one person looks at a photograph and finds much beauty while another person finds the same photograph dull and drab.

New Ball Mason Jars, ISO 200, 80mm, f5.6, 1/30
Using Ansel Adams as an example, I believe he seen many things in sharp focus. Take a look at some of his pictures. He visualized them this way in his mind and transferred that visualization to his photographs. While I see things with a very limited focus. My brother even commented when I was younger that I had “tunnel vision”. I think this shows in many of my photographs.

Bottom line I guess is that ordinary things can make beautiful photographs. It all depends who’s looking and what their mind is seeing.
New Kerr Mason Jars, ISO 200, 80mm, f5.6, 1/40

2 comments

  1. I like! Especially the first two pics. Everytime I come onto your blog it makes me want to be a better photographer and spend more time doing it. Thanks. :-)

    Pam Jensen, August 20, 2008
  2. Ooooh… I love that second close up of the rim of the jar… I’ve always loved ordinary things made to look abstract-ish. Nice stuff! : )

    Tracy, August 25, 2008

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