Small scenes and switching my vision.

Today’s blog is all about how and why I switch gears to capturing the smaller scenes instead of the grand landscapes at times.

You plan and check the weather, the clouds, the tides, and all the things that make us photographers wake up at three in the morning. All in order to get to a location and catch an anticipated glorious colorful sunrise.

Recently, in Maine, all the above transpired. I was with another photographer friend and the night before we checked conditions and picked a spot that would give us, with any luck, a great sunrise shot.

While my friend knew exactly where they wanted to set up and compose their shot, I wandered. I had only been to this spot quickly as a tourist a few years prior, so taking all the beauty in was a bit overwhelming, (plus it was a little dark yet).

Yes, I could have set up right next to my friend (another photographer showed up and set up nearby) but as I’ve mentioned in my blog “Iconic locations, photograph them?” (find it here Shooting iconic locations) I sometimes turn away in those situations.

I wandered around the rocky area and observed, looked for leading lines, and patterns, listened, watched the waves, and just took it all in. I admire all of it and tried not to force myself into taking a photograph.

When I force it I’m usually less successful in capturing the moment and beauty of what I see. I slow down and embrace being out in nature and this beautiful moment, and start looking at all the little scenes around me.

These small scenes are all pieces that make up the entire picture. As in a puzzle, each piece is integral to making the entire scene come to life.

I watch as the light from the rising sun slowly reveals the green of the trees and shrubs, the blue and whites in the ocean, and the rocky granite bluffs glowing brighter with shades of pink.

I start to take in all the little changes happening within the grand scene, all the little pieces that make it all look so beautiful. These moments are sometimes when I see small inspirations to highlight with small scene photography.

The contrast in color of the bluffs and the ocean, the softness of the waves, and the hardness of the rocks are what inspired this photo highlighted in this blog.

Did I miss a beautiful grand scene, it depends on how you look at it. My friend and the other photographer did take beautiful shots.

I on the other hand was not disappointed I chose this small scene. If you’re wondering why, well there are a few reasons.

1st - As mentioned above I couldn’t find a composition I wanted.

2nd - I made the choice to not shoot it, and I’ve learned I must live with my choices great, mediocre, or bad.

3rd - The small scene (the photo in this blog) sucked me in as I stood there watching it unfold.

 4th - It may not be award-winning, but it taught me volumes that day.

The beauty of small scenes is they happen everywhere, in all areas of our lives and nature. Next time you’re out photographing the grand landscape, set up that composition but then watch all the other things happening around you.

Try not to box yourself and your photographic expectations in.

It’s all part of the process of capturing what we see as photographers and experiencing those special moments in time.

Thank you for your time, now go out explore, and try new things!