Uplift the Discarded
My recent fascination with photographing discarded objects fuels my curiosity. When I look around the city, I find myself lost in the details, captivated by the forgotten and downtrodden. Each small item, whether overlooked or abandoned, carries an inherent beauty waiting to be discovered through the lens.
God is in the Details
“In street photography, we often get caught up in the hunt. Slowing down and walking at an easy pace provides more opportunity to witness beautiful things.”
For the past year, I’ve practiced walking at an extremely slow pace. This allows me to observe the overlooked: puddles as portals to new worlds, textures on walls, the cracks of city streets, and discarded objects on the ground. Moving slowly with my camera, I witness life flowing around me, and the more I slow down, the more I discover.
Everything is Beautiful
I believe that everything can become beautiful when photographed. There’s infinite potential in the mundane. You just have to remain open to it. Whether it’s a flower growing between the cracks or a forgotten object in the gutter, I always find potential everywhere.
“When you’re in a state of creation, looking at everything around you as something that holds potential, life becomes infinitely beautiful and fascinating.”
Get as Close as Possible
One technique I’ve adopted is getting as close as possible to my subject, whether it’s a discarded object or a stranger’s face. This close proximity allows me to capture textures and details that are often missed.
Practical Tips:
- Use Macro Mode: Experiment with your camera’s macro function to hone in on details.
- Set Snap Focus: Try setting your snap focus distance to one meter for better close-ups.
- Move In Close: When making portraits, get close to capture the fine details like wrinkles and expressions.
“Slow down, walk at an extremely slow pace, and enter the Zen zone. Treat photography as a form of meditation. By observing life deeply, we can find beauty even in the discarded.”
Infinite Potential in the Forgotten
When I’m out on the streets, I constantly scan my surroundings, looking for what others may overlook. I never know what I’ll find, but I’m always on the lookout for those hidden gems—the needle in the pavement, a piece of paper stuck on a wall, the texture of a discarded item. Everything, when seen closely enough, holds the potential to become beautiful through the lens.
“The photo is pure, the photo is love, and the photo is a gift. Our photographs should be shared, spreading joy through the medium and uplifting the discarded objects and moments that the world overlooks.”
Photography allows me to appreciate the mundane, the discarded, and the seemingly unimportant, revealing their beauty through simplicity and presence.