Shutter Hunter

Today is day 17 of the “stay at home” order here in Illinois. This pandemic sweeping across our globe is the single scariest and most uncertain monster that we have faced in modern history. It has forever changed lives and will be read about in history books in the near future. Everything is at a stand still – schools, workplaces, restaurants, and more. A photographer’s wanderlust and a “stay at home” order don’t want to mix well; but for the safety of our world we all must abide by the regulations put in place by our government (as much as we want to get out to shoot). So…what can we shoot during a “stay at home” quarantine situation? In this blog I’ll talk about a few methods of shooting I’ve been playing around with during the past few weeks – maybe you can give one a try for yourself.

I felt that it was best for me to go where I feel safest – so I’ve headed back to the suburbs of Chicago where I grew up and where my parents still live. I’m here with my parents and one of my brothers, Brian. It’s always super nostalgic coming back – the drive in to my street, the smells of my house, even the leftover clothes that are still in my drawers in my room bring me back to high school or middle school. In these next few weeks or months we are stuck at home I don’t want to find myself bored an aimlessly pressing the shutter button. I want to push myself to shoot new things using different methods, but I have to stay at home and do my part to flatten the curve. These are a few ways I’ve been able to keep busy with my photography during quarantine.

Macro-Photography

Macro-photography is a facet of shooting I have always wanted to get into; and what better time than now. It’s a challenge making small objects like a pencil or a group of Skittles to look cool – but that is exactly the fun of learning a new method of shooting. Get up close and create images that show the details of worlds that aren’t there. While there isn’t a plethora of insects or small animals for me to shoot at the moment, I am trying my best to shoot things in my house. My challenge to you is to find 5 objects that can fit in the palm of your hand, and find ways to shoot them! Here are a few examples of some really amazing macro-photography work.

Portraiture

Weirdly, I’ve never been super interested in portraiture. While I’m always shooting my dog Lyla, I have never gotten into shooting proper portraits of people. I feel as though the art of portraiture has been left in the dust in this digital age of selfie taking – but now was a good time for me to finally dive in. I’ve been able to take a stab at self portraits with the help of a self timer, and it has been nice bothering my family members to take their portraits. If not now, then when?! If you’re lucky enough to be quarantined with a pet, a friend, or family – take advantage!

Architectural Photography

Whether you’re quarantined in a house or an apartment – you are living within your next subject. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to walk around the perimeter of my childhood home – capturing photos of both the inside and the outside of the structure of the home. I personally embarked on this architectural photography here at my childhood home to pay homage to my late grandfather who built the home. Finding angles, lines, and shapes within his great architectural workings is what I’ve been primarily focused on. If you’re stuck in an apartment, find your shots on the inside of the apartment or shoot from a window! It can be a challenge – but take it on.

Shoot What Brings You Joy

Sometimes I find it hard to stick to one method of shooting for a day or two, and I often stray away from my subjects. If you’re in that boat sometimes; don’t stress it! There’s a reason we as photographers and humans are drawn to certain things. Shoot whatever brings you personal fulfillment – it doesn’t have to be any specific method of photography.

All I ask of you all is that you make sure to make memories with your cameras during these uncertain times. Hopefully right now will be the only time in our lives we are forced to quarantine wherever we reside. Pick up your camera, load some film, and shoot! It’s easy to let the negative energy of what is happening in the world right now bleed into our own temperament – but staying busy with photography keeps my mind off of the negative. Sending good energy to everyone across the world.