Discovering Surprise in Photography

You might be interested in watching a recent video from UK based photographer Greg Howard (linked below) in which he discusses how the ‘surprise value’ is what makes our photography unique.

Greg’s work inspires me to be more authentic as a photographer: to photograph what genuinely interests me rather than what I think others expect to see.

In the video, Greg had just returned from Canada, where he had seen sights he had wanted to experience for years. Yet, when he reviewed his photographs, his favourites were not the dramatic vistas but ordinary subjects such as a car in a driveway, a bus or a road sign.

Greg reflected on why these ordinary subjects appealed to him and realised their main attraction was their element of surprise.

Although he photographed many beautiful landscapes, Greg felt that these iconic locations offered no 'thrill of discovery' because they had already been photographed so many times.

For him, it is the unique and unexpected moments which create an emotional response rather than simply a visual one, and that is what he finds most compelling as a photographer.

This way of thinking strongly resonates with me and reflects the direction my own photography has been taking for some time. Greg’s video and blog post helped me understand why I am drawn to random, ordinary subjects and why I find this kind of photography so rewarding. The comments on the video suggest that many photographers feel the same.

These images may not be popular on Instagram or social media, but they are authentic, personal and uniquely your own. They offer the emotional connection that makes photography more meaningful and enjoyable.

This coastal town near my home has a well photographed landmark called Bray Head. I have photographed it many times but I have never succeeded in capturing an image I like. In this image, the Head is the backdrop while my eye is drawn to the solitary figure walking on the beach. This image appeals to me.

Old buildings always attract my attention. I am intrigued by the lack of windows. It is an image that prompts a lot of questions.

This view of the sea and sky is one I never captured before but I like the way the rocks lead out to the distance beyond.

If you areinterested in this topic you might like to watch Greg Howard's video here.