The World Is Your Backdrop

Photographers often thrive for that "perfect shot" when anticipating the next click. They take one look at the scenery and the aura surrounding it and map out the science via the lens of the camera. This, combined with an intense amount of patience and skill, can often lead to some stunning portraiture. But, I'd be lying if I told you I've spent hours debating every single snap in my portfolio. In fact, I've probably quickfire-clicked at least half of them without really thinking about the chemistry between subject and scenario. And, you know, those were actually some of my best images captured in my photography career. Those blind-fire, careless and shotgun round snaps were actually some of the crowning achievements over a lifetime of complex theory. The best part is – I never even realised it, either.

As photographers, we learn to adapt to any situation. We aim to gather the correct amount of light by bending over backwards to assure the beams hit the correct portion of the subject. We even go as far as waiting for hours on end just so the scene looks perfect enough to replicate through a glossy image. That's something no other can deny: our loyalty to the lens and the ability to push for something that will better our work.

Sadly, a lot of the time we tend to overcomplicate things. We spend far too long visualising the moment that we sometimes forget to capture the situation in its rawest format. We doubt the lighting, the shadows, or the second tree to the left that somehow stands out more than the others. We forget to just take the plunge and risk the one extra slot on our memory cards. That's where a lot of us slip up and miss the opportunity to capture some truly magnificent works of art.

The point I'm trying to make here is – the world is your backdrop. Sure, we spend a lot of time researching the ideal secluded spot for a session, but really all we need is the ability to adapt to anything at any time. We need to understand that any corner of any street can be a work of art if you strongly believe in it. It shouldn't matter if waste spews from the rear of an abandoned vehicle. It shouldn't matter if the rain falls over you when you want to capture a summer setting. Everything is worthy of capturing. Every scene from your front door to the other end of the globe is picturesque. Everything is a backdrop for the taking. And it all starts with taking the risk to frame it. That's where the magic really happens.

Photographers – take the time to flow through the world and forget the message for a while. Ignore your instinct to dig deep into the theory and just focus on being practical for a day. Don't stress about the "perfect shot". Instead, just visualise an open world where everything captured is capable of being perfect. And, trust me, you might just be surprised when flicking back through that camera roll of yours.

Go out and act as if the entire world is your backdrop. Ditch the norm and make everything photogenic. Create something fresh that nobody has ever seen before. The whole world is yet to be seen through a lens. But, with your help, the global portfolio can be built and polished with the click of a button.

Have fun out there.

#DayTwentyOne #VocalChallenge2020 #Photography