thinking in series

 

As I move throughout my day I take notice of the light.
(We all do this, don't we?)

As a photographer, I make a point to take notice of everyday ordinary moments. We are like-minded here, this is why we come to gather in this shutter sister space. The everyday ordinary moments often slip through our fingers faster than we can grab our cameras. I used to wrestle with this concept (the slipping away of lost moments) and then I gave into simply being in it (making peace with no camera in front of my eye). 

As I became more mindful without my camera and thought about all the things i wanted to photograph, we settled into our new home. It was then that I was greeted (and gifted) with this new space and light. It was too good to walk past each day, so last fall I began grabbing my iphone (simply because it was usually there in my pocket or on the kitchen counter)... and I found myself documenting it again and again, this space where we gather.

And so a new series was born. (my couch series) Born out of light and family and comfy spots where we gather in sickness and in health. A place where we celebrate birthdays and watch movies and play video games. A place where we suffer migraines, where we bicker, and where we laugh.

Everyday ordinary moments.

Do you think in series? It took me a long time to train my brain this way. To see the same place with new eyes everyday. Today, try thinking in series. Is there a place that calls to you? A piece of daily routine you can document? A place you could shoot day in and day out? Try thinking outside the box and seek out a space you can use like a backdrop, then simply wait for the players to take stage. Share with us any projects you are working on in series, I can't wait to see them!

Comments

[Marcie]

Love the concept and idea behind this project.
I guess I do tend to go back to the same places and spaces everyday and photograph the changing colors..the light:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/3/5/an-ordinary-day.html

[cindy]

Its my front yard-different light,weather seasons.....

[Leanne]

I don't usually think like this but I should! Love the couch series.

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

Love that concept and the sofa pics are great. They give a subject a feeling of time and importance. Will have to consider this in my own photography.

[Sherry]

Love this!! May have to try it out. I do tend visit the same places (parks) during different seasons, but haven't thought of a series done this way, as a part of everyday life.

[Kelsey]

I'm doing a "leftovers" series. I just take one or two shots before we clear away the dishes.

[Kelsey]

This is an example, sorry, should have put it with my first post.

[rakusribut]

one of my photoblogs is one big series of pictures of the same landscape in different seasons, at different times of day, with different light and different weather
i call it a 'landscape chronicle' and have been documenting this piece of nature since december 6th
i love to go out with my dogs every day and look, really look, and see new colors, new growth, new compositions, sometimes in places where i would never have expected it.
i am totally and completely in love with what i call 'my estate'

http://kagerzoom.blogspot.com

[rakusribut]

oops, i mean since december 6th 2010

http://kagerzoom.blogspot.com

[Heather]

I did a self-portrait series last year using all my costumes and a big trunk in my living room. It was really fun. You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heather-cox/sets/72157629526152215/

I've noticed I tend to photograph the same places that I love at different times of year (like the fields and trees around where I live) and I should think about those more as series, showing the change of seasons and stuff.

[kelly]

It's funny...I just started thinking this way. Maybe it's an evolution of sorts in a photographers mind. Love your couch series.

[Libertad Leal]

I definitely think in series. I love to photograph my vintage cameras in all sorts of get ups and places and I am currently working on a gazillion Carnival images, because I lovelove carnival photos. That being said, my absolute favorite images (ever) are what make up my "Everyday Mother" series. Not because they are technically perfect (they are certainly not) but because they capture moments that are so easily forgotten but so beautiful and transcendental in their simplicity. I plan to make a book of the images for my two daughter and give them to them when they leave home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/sets/72157625114491446 Everyday Mother

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/sets/72157624752449950 Vintage Camera Love

[Michelle (Mamadunk)]

I did a little 'series' project on my blog years back for each of my kids. This was what I chose for my oldest son...

http://www.threemenandalittlechica.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-things-change.html

[Michelle]

Thank you for this. It just got me thinking that I don't consciously think in series but I will. I have a whole series of shots similar on our couch also. I also realised I have a whole series of my son outside in his PJ's, at our breakfast bar and of him sleeping. I can't resist taking a snap shot when he sleeps! Of course I haven't got them compiled together but now you have inspired me to do so.

[Renae]

I love the couch series.

I've been doing a series of portraits of my kids (ages 4, 2, and 2 mos). The series is called These Days and is intended to be a record of our everyday life these days.

Here's the latest installment: http://theonegrand.com/entry/these-days10/

And the full sets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theopuses/sets/72157629044721091/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theopuses/sets/72157629044740013/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theopuses/sets/72157629044759163/

[Chelsea]

Beautiful series! Every morning I notice the way the light spills through the kitchen blinds. My favorite are the bright days when you can see lines of light, where it is peeking through the slats.

[Leigh]

I love your couch series! I've started a #carpoolreflection series on Instagram and Flickr. My word for 2012 is discovery and through photography I'm discovering more about myself. I have never wanted to be photographed let alone take self portraits, but the easiness of the iphone has eased me into this self portrait series. I find myself in carpool line every weekday afternoon and so many shiny, reflective surfaces surround me in my car. So a reflective series has begun! http://www.flickr.com/photos/loveleeokc/sets/72157629484687297/