Unremarkable Scenes: Beauty in the Ordinary
Ayup! Have you noticed? Some of the best photographers capture the most unremarkable scenes. Ordinary and easily missable, yet somehow presented in a remarkable, artistic way. This post follows on from last year's most read article, The Art of Noticing: Mindful Photography.
During the process of really noticing, a photographer's creative vision is, in itself, is a superpower. With the right eye, outrageously mundane subjects become esteemed compositions.
Learning to understand that what might seem mundane to you because you see it regularly is likely quite unique to an outsider. As you start to look at subjects in your local area with that mindset, the opportunities will begin to present themselves.
From unremarkable to remarkable
In a recent interview for Black + White Photography Magazine, street photographer, Phil Penman had some interesting thoughts on noticing.
He said that In Tokyo, people comment on my pictures and say, 'it's funny because you see a lot of Tokyo that we don't see, but it's right in front of us'. He then goes on to explain that; I'm looking for the gritty things, the characters; I'm not looking for the tourist shots - that's exactly what I don't want.
Furthermore, most of the early photography masters captured nothing but everyday scenes. Just regular, familiar goings on, that, at first glance, wouldn't even be considered an interesting photo. However, the mindful and inquisitive photographer would notice something. Something worth documenting and, in most cases, presenting.
I’ve long been drawn to the kind of uncommon beauty that most people pass by as they make their way through life. But whether I’m taking a walk in my neighbourhood or embarking on a photography adventure to exotic locations around the world, I’m always on the look out for uncommon beauty.
Uncommon beauty can be found in people, places or simple objects that most people pass by as they make their way through life. By keeping your eye out for uncommon beauty you’ll discover the power of light to transfer the otherwise unnoticed or unappreciated into the sublime.
Seek out the ordinary
When it comes to street, architecture or still life photography, unremarkable scenes often deliver some of the most powerful imagery.
I'm unsure if we need to under think it instead of overthinking it, or simply overthink it even more, but seeking out the mundane will usually add a whole new level of intrigue to your photos.
It's something I aim to focus on a lot more this year. If you're reading this, maybe you are too? Ordinary doesn't have to be boring. In fact, it's often quite the opposite. Additionally, what may seem irrelevant or uninteresting to you, may be truly fascinating to someone on the other side of the planet. You never know.
Be mindful and alert.
Notice the scene.
Shoot the unremarkable.
Present it in a remarkable way.
