Does a photo of something mundane make a mundane photo?

gloobag

In Cork at the weekend, decided to go scouting for possible portrait locations. While out taking some test shots of possible backgrounds, I started to notice that even though these are all pretty mundane locations normally, they started to pique my interest when taken out of their usual context and confined within the frame. I started to notice the lines, colors and textures a lot more than if I had just been passing by. I think a place can take on a whole other personality when portrayed in this way and I find that very interesting

What do you think? Agree or disagree? I'm thinking of doing a little personal project on these types of images. Am I talking ****e or is this something worth pursuing?

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melekalikimaka

I did a big project on this sort of idea last year, its very interesting.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/19997617/Context-as-a-Determinanrt-of-Photographic-Meaningwps

that might focus your mind a bit better, helped me anyway

I think the above photos have a lot of contrast to them. Either via colour or dark/bright spots, and is probably what makes them interesting to look at.

To me, personally, they look a bit grunge-y or something. Which is good for the above photos, but if you have to toy with the settings in paint/photoshop/whatever, then is it possible that you may ruin the person in your portrait for the sake of a nice background?

gloobag

Deleted User wrote: »

I think the above photos have a lot of contrast to them. Either via colour or dark/bright spots, and is probably what makes them interesting to look at.

To me, personally, they look a bit grunge-y or something. Which is good for the above photos, but if you have to toy with the settings in paint/photoshop/whatever, then is it possible that you may ruin the person in your portrait for the sake of a nice background?

Grungy is exactly what I was going for Portraits involving these locations would be rather different, as there would be off camera lighting involved and the composition would most likely be a little different, and I'd probably be more inclined to retouch a little more.

These images were more of an exploration of line, color and texture than anything else. Trying to make something interesting out of what would usually seem like nothing too interesting at all.

Very little was done in terms of retouching these images. Just some basic adjustments in Lightroom. Nothing fancy.

Thecageyone

I will be shooting a band very soon, these kind of backdrops are exactly what I'll be looking for. They all look like they would work for something like that.

The first shoot of any kind I did, outside taking family snaps, was one for my cousin. He wanted shots to promote his music career. It was an experience for me, and using a simple 'super zoom' compact at the time there was a fair bit of PP involved. I like to think I've learned a hell of a lot since then but I liked the grittiness of how they came out.

Fenster

My personal standard for great mundane: http://www.we-english.co.uk/gallery.html

Fenster

My problem with your images is that they appear too composed, if that makes any sense. To me, a good "mundane" shot will be throwaway. Aim, point, click, move on. Kinda a snapshot with intent?

magicbastarder

simple reply to the question in the thread topic - no. well, not necessarily. a good one will make you look at the object in a new way, i suppose.

one pet peeve i have is people taking photos of grafitti and considering the photo to inherit the quality of the grafitti...

Thecageyone

magicbastarder wrote: »

one pet peeve i have is people taking photos of grafitti and considering the photo to inherit the quality of the grafitti...

Good job the scrawled crap writing on the door in mine is crap 'graffiti' ... It was a spur of the moment, ooooh loook, I'll have you look up at that like it's about you ... didn't inherit anything.

gloobag

Fenster wrote: »

My problem with your images is that they appear too composed, if that makes any sense. To me, a good "mundane" shot will be throwaway. Aim, point, click, move on. Kinda a snapshot with intent?

Not really sure I ever thought of myself as 'over composing' a shot. I probably do though, as I do read a LOT about composition. Maybe some of that ****e's actually getting through my thick skull. I'm a sucker for a well composed image.

magicbastarder wrote: »

one pet peeve i have is people taking photos of grafitti and considering the photo to inherit the quality of the grafitti...

I think graffiti can work well in photographs if done properly. Like if it's shown in some sort of context in its surroundings or if there's something else thrown into the compositional mix. But yeah, straight up photo of graffiti ain't too appealing.

Fenster

A technical basis is good, but rules exist to be broken.

magicbastarder

Fenster wrote: »

My problem with your images is that they appear too composed, if that makes any sense. To me, a good "mundane" shot will be throwaway. Aim, point, click, move on. Kinda a snapshot with intent?

depends on whether you're talking about mundane shots or mundane subjects - some industrial landscape shots could be said to be of mundane subjects, and are anything but grab shots.

squareballoon

Sort of reminds me of the locations that this photog uses for her 'Senior' shots. I like the leading lines and framing you can get from this kind of location.

gloobag

Fenster wrote: »

A technical basis is good, but rules exist to be broken.

And it's only by knowing those rules inside and out, that one can truly break them masterfully

sineadw

If it makes any difference I really like them. Not 100% on the last one, but only because it doesn't seem to 'fit' with the others.

There are LOADS of very successful photographers who photograph the mundane. Actually, most of the best ones.

gloobag

sineadw wrote: »

Not 100% on the last one, but only because it doesn't seem to 'fit' with the others.

100% agree with you about the last one

goretti

The first and last photo are good, not sure about the others.

superflyninja

yup i also like them,lots of interesting lines etc. but i agree on the last one. too organic.