In our increasingly fast-paced lives, fewer of us are taking the time to enjoy the everyday things that are around us. This is perhaps most true in our local area, which can soon become a mundane backdrop. The ‘7 from my street’ project is about finding the hidden world right outside your door and transforming the seemingly mundane into the extraordinary. All you need to take part is your smartphone camera and little imagination. Here, we take a look at 7 approaches to photography to help you find those hidden gems on your street.
Nature is all around
As we head into October the autumn colours are starting to show. How nature changes around your street can be endlessly fascinating and perhaps at its most beautiful at this time of year. Whether you live in a built-up area or in the countryside, there will always be some nature to be found from pavement weeds to tree lined lanes. Try capturing nature shots during the golden hours (the hour before dawn and dusk) or dropping the exposure on your setting to bring out the rich autumn colours.
Going macro
With the amazing range of clip-on lenses for smartphones that are now on the market, incredible macro photography using your smartphone camera is now possible. Finding the small hidden details on your street can bring a whole new perspective. At this time of year, intricate spider webs, fallen leaves and fabulous fungi are great to snap.
People watching
Who do you see in your local area? Are there people passing through, at working, or relaxing? Are they deep in thought, mid conversation, or distracted? People watching can be endlessly fascinating and getting some real-life shots on your street can be equally so.
Changing perspective
It’s amazing how simply changing the perspective of your photography from eye level can transform the world around you. Try out some shots at ground level or from above and see what views open up. Using a selfie stick can help you take these shots easily
Finding patterns and symmetry
Our eyes are naturally drawn to patterns and symmetry and these kinds of shots can be especially pleasing to photograph too. There’s usually plenty of patters to be found around you when you look for them. Sets of terrace houses, colourful front doors, hedge rows, paving, cobbles and bricks, archways, tight paths, stacked furniture, and mirror views in windows or puddles are good examples.
Fixed view
Another approach you could take to capture 7 images from your street is to set up a fixed camera position. This could be out of your window or set up on a wall. Take 7 photos at different times of the day or through the week and see what changes from this fixed point. It can reveal a lot about how your street changes through time. Using a tripod with an auto capture button will mean each of your shots are in exactly the same spot.
Would you like to learn more about smartphone photography?
Why not join one of our group sessions in your local area and find out how to use your smartphone camera to take great shots.
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