When you shoot the same subject week after week, it sure can get boring.
Even when you adore one of your subjects.
That’s how photographic life has been for me shooting cross-country. This is my second year of snapping pix at every high school meet that my younger son has competed in, and I noticed that I definitely had the been-there-done-that blahs. After all, there are only so many ways to approach a mostly-individual sport.
So last week when I went to shoot my #2 son and his cross-country companions, I challenged myself to look at the sport in a different way: By taking group shots. I tried to snap no solo photos.
This was an easy photographic exercise with most of the runners, who seem to naturally fall in with one or two others.
It also helps put the sport into the proper perspective: It’s a race where competitors are trying to beat someone else to the finish line. Few of the runners are ever truly alone while on the course.
I really enjoyed changing up my photographic game plan. I also think it added some needed spark to my photos. But I must admit that my favorite pic of the meet was of an individual.
Whether running in a crowd or alone, it’s great to capture someone’s passion for his sport. And that, my friends, is never boring.