HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A THEME?

I have always had one if not several theme’s going on throughout my photographic career. Sometimes my theme’s last for several weeks, “shoot nothing but macro abstracts of peeling paint!” or several years, “shoot nothing but people over the age of 60 years old”. It is my belief, and not just in photography, but in life, that having a theme or a goal out there in front of your gives your life not only more meaning but also greater focus; pun intended!

We live in a huge world filled with so much photographic opportunity that at times it is really and truly overwhelming. So much so, that we don’t go out and shoot because we don’t even know where to begin. But with a theme in your mind, amazing things begin to happen. You feel focused, alive and enthused. You’re on a mission and you’re unstoppable.

The choice in themes are as vast as there are stars in the sky. (See what I mean? There is a theme right there; the stars and the galaxies. Choose this theme and soon you will be labeled as that astronomical photographer.)

If simple themes such as lifestyle, architecture, business, industry or sports sound to broad, its because they are! Make it a point to really, really define the theme; reflections, eyes, shoes, tools, windows, smiles, flowers, old growth forests, barns, birds, steelworkers, carnival people, castles, three year olds, feathers, fruits, amusement parks, auto-junk yards, bridges, lighthouses, famous cities, taxi cab drivers, wind surfers, cowboys, librarians, gas stations, fast food restaurants, churches, the information age, rainbows, inclement weather, skateboarders, orchards, clowns, teenagers at leisure, nudes, bears, waterfalls, volcanoes, airplanes, crosswalks and doorknobs to name but a few.

If nothing else, shooting images centered around your theme will always lead to other discoveries. And these same discoveries often translate into images that are quickly added to your existing library of winning images.

And in case you are wondering, I have been shooting this red ball with white stripes for more than ten years now. Who knows where this project may end up!

If your photographic passion seems to have turned luke warm, consider a theme, if not several theme. It may be just what you need to get your passion for image making back on track.

You Keep Shooting!

Bryan F Peterson/Founder BPSOP.com

“I just wanted to thank you for another wonderful class. I have to confess that each week when I read the new assignment, my first reaction was mild panic and a deep certainty that I would not be able to produce anything worthwhile that fit within the parameters you had set. But before I knew it, the ideas started to flow, and I quickly became obsessed (no, that isn’t too strong a word!) with exploring the possibilities. I can honestly say that the photos I produced in response to your assignments are among my favorites. Thanks for bringing out a creative side I didn’t know I had!”

Barbara Geiger
Understanding Color

“Thank you so very much for this course! It’s allowed me to take the blinders off and present my images for what I want them to be without being a slave to the “reality” of the camera. I would also add that in conjunction with your printing course, this has been the most useful course I’ve ever taken. Your notes are more than comprehensive and your comments and critiques are direct, clear, and always directed to the improvement of the art.”

Bill
After the click

” I want to thank you for this class and for your patience and availability to answer all of my questions. I have learned very much through this class. I have used LR in the past, but mostly for editing images. I now have a better grasp in the organization of my images, an even better understanding of editing images, and an understanding of the value of presets. I still have a lot to learn, but this has put me on the road to be able to improve my photography. Again, thank you! ”

Dale Yates
Lightroom Quickstart

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