Bear x-ings, photo by Kajsa Stolberg
Kajsa here this Sunday and I want to share a little something with you. I was having coffee with my longtime friend last week and even though we haven’t lived in the same town in over six years it’s still as if she lives two blocks away. She was updating me on her week, her students, the leadership conference she recently attended, and her life as a “grown up.” I had little to update her on in the progress of my photography as I swept my arm to display the littered parking lot in front of the coffee shop – the scenery that I currently spend my hours observing. In the past my drive to take pictures was always fueled by all the cool things I saw when I got out of my comfort zone, but for the past few months I’ve been sticking close to home trying to earn some extra money, and also taking this opportunity for a breather. In my effort to ground myself I’ve gotten “out of shape” and my creative juices are definitely not flowing – I mean, I’ve been looking at these same surroundings since birth – what could possibly be cool?? Seeing that I was clearly uninspired, my friend gave me the boost which has stuck with me all week: she replied, “Kajsa, have you ever seen the arrow on the FedEx truck? It’s always been there, you just have to look for it. See the arrow.” (I wish I could give credit to the speaker of the aforementioned leadership conference who gave this advice to my friend, but unfortunately I don’t know!) By taking the time to look at my home from an outsider’s perspective I can see all sorts of wild things: bear crossing signs, tractors holding up traffic, old barns, beautiful sunsets, and even art in the trash outside the coffee shop. It’s the same old prompt: even if you don’t feel like there’s something to shoot, get out and shoot anyway! You might find material to create some pretty great stuff. Now it’s your turn – see the arrow!
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John is an award winning landscape and travel photographer who splits his time between Chicago and Montana. His work has been featured in National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. John loves the outdoors and traveling, and sharing his images with others.
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All content © 2010 by John Batdorff Photography Blog
Ha! I never saw the arrow until now! Great post, Kajsa. I, too, have been teetering on the rim of uninspired. I think I’ll change lenses and see what’s next. Haven’t had the macro out for a while.