Photography close by

As photographers, most of us dream of travel to faraway lands in search of great photography, bringing home stunning images to show friends and family.  These trips are richly rewarding, vital to our visual awareness development, and can end up being expensive.  At a time when the global economy seems to be staggering, consider photography ideas close to home.

Close by
Those living in an urban environment often say they have limited access to great photography locations.  Depending on the location, there may be a snippet of truth to that.  However, consider what that urban lifestyle offers in the way of photography:  city parks, botanical gardens, large public grounds, hike and bike trails, and greenbelts.   If your town or city has a body of water nearby, this opens up even more possibilities for the photographer, amateur and professional alike.

Even landscaping along city sidewalks can offer splendid opportunites for image capture. The scene in the bottom image was discovered while on an early morning run in the rain through Old Town, in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Racing back home, grabbing the camera and heading back to this location is an example of close by photography.

Great digital photography can also be as close as the nearest park trail.  Many cities are realizing the significance of green space, not just for the city’s image, but for the well being of its citizens.  Use these spaces to your advantage.

Greenbelt home
For those fortunate enough to live in a greenbelt home, attempts at beautiful photography can end up being a rewarding adventure.  As close as the back door, greenbelt travel can easily turn into an hours long outing.

As an example, Barton creek, in Austin, Texas, is a great place to take the camera.  Over eight miles long and encompassing 800 acres, there are pockets of solitude all along the trail.  This is hard to imagine, as the hustle and bustle of city life is all around.  Still, all across this country, in many towns and cities this same opportunity all across the country is afforded many of us.

Backyard photography
Becoming familiar with locations close by improves your chances for dramatic photography.  Locate a great photography composition, whether it be a tree or a group of trees, a boulder in the stream, or a popular water scene.

Study the way light affects that scene at various times of the day, during different seasons.  Become aware of the subtleties of a particular location. Having previously scouted the location, I knew the tree trunk in the top image would photograph better in morning light than evening light.

While we dream and plan for that next photography adventure to some distant location, remember that our own backyard photography offers its own rewards.