Life, Snapshots, and other Idioms: A Photographer's Opinion

I take a lot of pictures. A lot. I am no professional or even consider myself a full-blown photographer. Just a girl with her iPhone and a knack for Instagram.

But despite the arguably unaccredited industry of cell phone photography, I believe my photos are still fairly artistic and eye-catching.

But I didn't come here to talk about my photos, necessarily. Nor did I want to talk about the photography world. What I wish to encourage perspective and observation.

A friend of mine once left a comment on the following photo with a comment that was something like "We need to go on a photography adventure sometime!"

While a "photography adventure" sure sounds fun, truth is, I very rarely go looking for things to photograph (perhaps this is why I haven't invested in a real camera; then I would have to carry it with me everywhere...).

I was thinking about this this morning while waiting for the bus (I do a lot of thinking on public transportation) and I realized that almost all my photos (with the exception of the pictures from my trip to Asia) come from only a few locations: my house, the mountains, and the University of Colorado - Boulder campus.

Despite how few locations I usually photograph, I think I have taken about 450 pictures (give or take). I enjoy looking at the same and familiar things in new ways, from new perspectives. Seeing things at a different angle. I believe it allows you to look at objects and scenes you see everyday and view them in ways that brings new appreciation.

However, it is my belief that this idea doesn't have to apply to just photography; it can be applied to almost anything. If you start looking at things, people, and places in new ways; you may just capture something new and beautiful.

I challenge you, next time you are walking outside, try standing directly under a tree and looking straight up. Take in what you see and absorb the flecks of sunlight that peep through the silhouetted leaves.