Once Upon A Theme
© Jerry Whaley

I often look for ways to produce more successful, higher-quality images. One very effective technique I use is to select a subject or theme on which to concentrate. This technique works as well in one's backyard or local community as it does while traveling around the globe.

A couple of years ago, I started noticing the varied shades of green and other subtle pastel colors in hardwood forests in early spring. I suddenly realized that flowering plants do not provide the only interesting color in the springtime.  I began to focus my efforts.

The more I looked, the more I saw. As I began to explore my chosen subject, I started seeking out new, more effective perspectives. I began to develop my technique for vividly capturing the varied shades of green. In short, my concentration on this theme really got my creative juices flowing and motivated me to get out in the field and work hard at producing, on film, what had visually inspired me in the first place. The theme became a driving force.

Concentrating on a subject or theme helps you develop your photographic technique. Your skills increase while you enjoy the process. Being productive and creative is much easier if you are inspired by the subject. Good subjects for concentration while traveling, or at home, might be; people, modes of transportation, doors, roads, bridges, buildings, architectural details, flowers, or just about anything your heart desires. If the subject arouses your interest, you will seek out ways to do well with it

For me, travel sometimes awakens my interest in a subject I might begin focusing on doors because I noticed some interesting doors on a trip. I would then develop a good file of distinct and interesting doors, locally. Travel would later allow me to expand my files with images of different, more exotic, doors. Travel can initiate the interest, then enhance your prospects of developing a diverse, interesting file on your chosen subject I feel it's better to develop your technique closer to home so as to then be more effective when you travel. Travel is expensive and photographic opportunities are sometimes limited, so you need to be able to quickly and effectively capture the image you desire.

Working within the context of a theme helps you become a quick and effective photographer, both at home and on-the-road. This approach also provides you with a strong file on an interesting subject, good for developing articles for photographic magazines if you're interested in getting published. The more unusual your area of interest, the more likely you are to find editors that are interested in it They constantly look for "different" subjects that have not been covered recently in their publication. Once you start seeking out the subject of your theme, other interesting subjects will materialize. I believe the higher level of concentration on one subject helps you to "see" other interesting subjects and themes. My positive experiences with thematic self-assignments has made me a believer.

 

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