If you believe there is beauty and interesting stuff around you, you will see it, more and more, as you open yourself up. You just need a willingness to explore and find what’s extraordinary in the ordinary things around you. Seeing beyond the subject is a good way to expand you vision. For more on this topic, look up the practical tip I wrote in the post See Beyond the Subject on Blue Hour Photo Workshop’s blog.
In Flow with Otto 
I always try to see something different. It’s crazy what you end up with sometimes.
Well, it’s crazy good, I would think. 🙂
It’s funny that I just wrote a similar observation about the birds on the beach 🙂 So true, and great advice on your Workshop Blog.
Thank you, Tiny.
So often “judgement” gets in the way of our “seeing”. We decide ahead of time that something is not worth the effort. The same goes for life opportunities as well as photo opportunities. Training yourself, as well as your eye, to be open to what is around you not only boosts creativity but spurs that curiosity that keeps you from getting bored!
You are very right. Seeing chances when they occur in life is part of opening up to what is instead of what we think is. Thank you for the comment, Alli.
Good advice for sure!
Thanks. 🙂
Great abstract.
Thank you.
That’s exactly it, the willingness to explore! Thanks.
Yes, being willing to explore is an important part of it.
Great advice Otto.
(and I’m still trying to work out what those interesting curves are from in your image).
Hey Vicki–I am thinking it is a double sink–dishes on one side and a pot handle on the other side. makes me want to take photos of my kitchen now! 😀
If I say a close-up of a sink, maybe that helps… 🙂
That is a great challenge to find beauty hidden in plain sight.
Exactly. Thank you.
“find what’s extraordinary in the ordinary things”–that is such a wonderful thing to find. Thank you, Otto.
I am glad you think so. Thank you, Lois.
A very interesting image Otto. This is certainly something I should do more. I’m predominantly a landscape photographer as you know but I really do need to expand my vision beyond my rather single minded search for the perfect landscape. With so much to photograph around us, I’m sure I could be a lot busier than I am, always waiting for the perfect conditions for that perfect landscape. As ever Otto, you’ve provided food for though.
I think I told you that I’d been fascinated with the reflections and shadows of the windows in my attic apartment as the light changes through the day. This is an ongoing project and I guess it qualifies for peeking beyond the subject but as I say, I should try harder. 🙂
You have found your voice, Adrian. And that is a good thing. At the same time expanding the vision is always good for any artist. I like your project as one to do exactly that. 🙂
I agree that the more you look beyond the obvious, the more you see!
That is always the case, isn’t it.
there was some famous photographer from way back when, and ALL of his pictures were taken within a mile walk of his home, which was a farm i believe…
Many photographers have stuck with their close environment. So there is plenty to discover anywhere. 🙂
Oh I love this! I do enjoy discovering the beauty in object details…it can be such beautiful abstract art and the process is so much fun!
It’s is fun, isn’t it. Thank you Maria.
Sort like looking with the eyes of a child into a new thing, with curiosity, playfulness, and awe.
Great post Otto! 🙂
Very can learn so much from the way children see and perceive the world.
Ett helt underbart sätt att upptäcka motiv. Kan ta ett tag att ställa om sig till vardagsseendet. Har upptäckt att jag använder mig av detta ibland även när jag inte har kameran med mig. Härligt!
Bästa Hälsningar
M 🙂
Noen ganger er det slik, vi se best uten kamera. Og noen ganger er det omvendt. 🙂 Takk for hyggelig kommentar, Monica.
Isn’t it amazing how beautiful a kitchen sink can be!
Sometimes it really can be. 🙂
Repeating what I said on your Workshop blog:
It is just like me to take a avid interest in things that other’s regard as to mundane, like a cloud in the sky or how a certain patch of the sky gradates from one shade of blue to another. It’s these humdrum aspects of the universe that I feel compelled to shoot in some way to convey how I feel when making observations of these things.
And you have clearly found your own vision in your photography and that’s why it stands out. 🙂