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There should be no shortage of ideas and inspiration for that lucky group of photographers who will be traveling to Santorini for an STC photo shoot expedition. But what about the rest of us? The ideas, my friends, are everywhere if you only stop, look and listen. Try this exercise. Limit yourself to ten shutter clicks over the course of an hour. Take a walk and see what interesting things you can find and then photograph.

It could simply be the light streaming through the branches of a tree; it could be an interesting formation of mushrooms growing in a neighbor’s yard (I happened to photograph one of those myself the other day, noting their resemblance to the rock formations of Central Anatolia); perhaps it’s the freckled nose of a girl you encounter at Starbucks (Would it be ok with you if I took your pictures?); it could be a Monarch butterfly caught in motion or a spider web atop a bush with the spider lurking just inside.

About Gary Cole

The point is that it doesn’t have to be a pretty girl with make up and hair done, with lights and reflectors, with assistants and editors. Learn to see the simple things around you and it will improve your ability to see everything with a new and better eye. I compare it to a writer who takes notes to no particular purpose except as an exercise in observation. He writes down a little overheard snippet of conversation; he observes and then attempts to describe an old man who has fallen asleep on a bench in the park. It’s called practice and whatever we do, practice always makes us better.

Another place to look for inspiration is the work of other photographers. My copy of Vogue arrived in the mail today. 832 pages, chock full of ideas and inspiration.Another place to look for inspiration is the work of other photographers. My copy of Vogue arrived in the mail today. 832 pages, chock full of ideas and inspiration. There’s nothing wrong with copying, using another’s work as inspiration. Shakespeare did it all the time and look where it got him.

One thing that struck me in particular was the fact that many of the models were not pretty, at least not in a traditional sense. There were models of every race, short, tall, waif-like and, yes, plus size. Everyone is interesting to look at if seen from certain perspectives. I recommend you pick up a copy at your newsstand. At 832 pages, it will make you stronger as you carry it home even if you don’t glean any ideas from it.

Remember, those not traveling to Santorini still have a chance to take on the assignment. Read the assignment with care, give it some thought and send Jarmo a note telling him you are taking it on. The charge for our critique once you complete and submit your photos, is $250. And the more you put into your assignment, the more you’ll get out of the following critique.

Gary Cole

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