15 Minutes of Fame

Alright, more like 5 to 10 minutes, but the point is....

Climb abroad explorers!

Today we continue our lesson in urban photography with a look at what makes a good modern subject. Now most photographers will tell you that you are stupid for trying to find common subjects because all people are unique, blah, blaaahhh, BLAH! Its a lie, no matter what subject in life you study, there will be trends. The idea of the natural urban setting is to mix the bland coloring of run down city life, with a bright eye catching color to set it off. Many people do this with photography during sundown, letting the oranges and reds in the sky balance out the rather dismal setting of a trashy city.

Now if you aren't taking landscape shots for your urbanite fix, there is another little trick I see continue to see floating around the DeviantArt common place. Sign, sign, everywhere a sign! Yup, that's right. Signs are another big thing. A lot of subway signs, pedestrian signs, graffiti, and most importantly street signs. I mean who doesn't enjoy a good street sign? These things are the staple of urban photography because what a good sign does is not only direct you to where you are, but it also, in this style of photography, sets out the rules for that place which in most good 'UP' is being obviously ignored in the picture. And lets all say it at once...

FIGHT THE POWER!

Haha. Yeah, that's the basic concept. And since people don't really just like looking at those corporate giants strutting their stuff on main street, us 'UPs' have a far better idea. Yup, trend numero tres! Take those fancy high class giants and glamor models and put them in the grungy city settings that we all know and love. Makes the background pop to see someone like that in a mold infested contaminated building, plus we get a super good laugh.

Now a quick list: Deliveries are cool to see on camera, car garages, black and white, reflections off the high class glass (usually onto something scummy), and rainfall is always a plus, if you can capture it without ruining your stuff.

I myself will be trying to capture a few of the latter later this week, but thanks to the lack of transportation in my little city, I shall be going on that endeavor a little bit later this week. Today I will attempt another go at the Laundromat, never know what kind of people you can find there.

See you on the flip side,
baggybunny.

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Photo of the Day: Wash my Soul
Location: Sycamore, IL