Local Wonder

Photographers, and artists in general, often use the idea of an “artistic vision” to describe the kind of work that they do. I find that idea to be helpful, that it can provide focus when working on my own art and craft. Of course, it’s always great to work on things just for fun, and a lot of good work can be produced that way. But for myself, it helps to also have a focus, a goal when setting out to create pictures.

So, here is a first pass at what I’ve found most interesting to pursue in photography. I call it “Local Wonder”.

Local Wonder is about seeing the wonders that are all around us. It’s so easy to miss things that are right in front of our eyes as we are preoccupied with thoughts far away, or our phone screens, or any number of other distractions.

Instead, I’m trying to learn to pay attention, to see more of what is all around me, and to then capture what I see in a photograph.

It’s often tempting to believe that there is nothing interesting in view, that everyday scenes are plain and boring, but in my case that belief comes mainly from not being attentive enough.

Thus, “Local” refers to seeing right here, right now, with my own eyes, especially those things that are easily missed. Right here, instead of traveling someplace with obvious wonders. Right now, instead of waiting for a special time. And with my own eyes, rather than looking through things like microscopes or telescopes.

“Wonder” means looking for that which is beautiful, surprising, or just interesting. Not necessarily appealing, maybe not even likable, but things that at least capture my attention.

Expressing what I see in a photograph sometimes means changing the image to highlight and express what I saw. If what caught my eye was some shape or texture, then perhaps black and white would be appropriate. If something with color, then I might accentuate it and dull the rest of the image. The goal would be to bring out what caught my eye.

In practice, I often find that close-up photography works. Almost infinite variation, easily missed, and all around us. Not necessarily macro photography, in which the subject is often too small to be seen with the eye, but that region just small enough to be seeable but easily missed.

This isn’t the only possibility, but does seem to be a rich space.

This is a starting point, a few initial thoughts, but it at least gives me a focus to work with.