Layers of Badlands

A lot of articles and photography podcasts talks about sources of inspiration, They usually tell you to look at images, either of established Masters or your peers at 500px. I have to admit, just watching other people images, as great as they are, does not do anything for me. In fact, it gets me more frustrated than anything else. It makes me think, well, this image was already done, when I see something catching the eye in the field.

I just discovered that photography books are far more energizing for me. By that I mean what actually gets me to get up from the couch and do something. And, unfortunately to some extend, these are not books of photographs. I far more prefer instructional books, books focusing on photography technique, or genre, especially those with creative exercises.

I used to have free access to those as affiliate of Craft and Vision. The program was abandoned last year, though, and I was rarely splurging for a book here and there. I just recently purchased few, and feel this energy again. I want to go out and do those things. And also look back, at some old stuff, and re-do it, work on it more or differently – like this image from badlands from couple of years ago. It was cloudy, stormy day, and there was this amazing play of light and shadow on the ground. I shot some images, but as large scenes in color they were not that exciting. A bit of crop and some B&W work, and the layers of rocks and light/shadow came to life.