A year ago today, I was testing cameras, flashes and any “new” used equipment that I picked up on the e-bay. Properly exposed, nicely composed images were my goal.
Lacking any real subject matter in order to test a camera, lens or film, I realize that I’ve shot a number of clichés. Not necessarily a bad thing…but clichés nevertheless.
Here are some of my dreaded cliché shots:
Of course, it’s all a matter of personal opinion (on what is and is not a photo cliché) but I scribbled down some notes in order to steer me from such blatant clichés in the future.
SHOOT A MODEL
Shoot a gorgeous girl…ut, oh…that’s a cliché! Well, I did my best to mix-it-up by shooting in natural light on high-speed film.
USE A DIFFERENT FILMSTOCK or TECHNIQUE
I cross-processed the shot below in the wrong chemistry to achieve the “look.” (Unfortunately, Cross-Processing is the newest cliché!)
USE A DIFFERENT FILMSTOCK or TECHNIQUE
I cross-processed the shot below in the wrong chemistry to achieve the “look.” (Unfortunately, Cross-Processing is the newest cliché!)
TELL A STORY
I’ve made it a habit to attach text to every image I post. Attaching text to an image will sometimes “wash away” that cliché via words. Frisky the cat transforms from cliché to Super-Cat when it’s explained that he was saved from death to become local TV star.
BE SNAP HAPPY
Don’t take one shot…snap a bunch. You’ll never know what you’re gonna get. Sometimes some fun stuff (like the snap from a recent Pizza Friday at the office)
The takeaway from today’s blog? Shoot now, worry about the cliché later…and ultimately…have fun!
More info:
- 101 Cliches of Photographyon luminous-landscape.com
- Photo Clichés on photocliches.com: Collecting pictures of people being uniquely hilarious, just like all the other people who took the same photo.