Princeton University - Part 2 - Photo inspiration outing after outing.
In my previous blog I discussed various ways to keep finding inspiration when one is experiencing photographers block and lacking that necessary motivation to go out and take pictures. Well another one of my favorite destinations in New Jersey is Princeton University and in this case the destination alone lends itself to be the source of return inspiration. I have made many trips to historic Princeton and this destination with its incredible historic buildings and beautiful architecture can be the number one priority for a photo outing by itself. All that wonderful architecture can also be an incredible backdrop for some interesting documentary /street style photography. There's always seems to be some kind of activity going on making this location worthy of many repeat visits.
 
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| There's always something or someone to photograph when visiting Princeton University. ( Top photo - Fomapan 200 film - bottom photo - Fomapan 400 film ) Both taken with a Pentax K1000 using a 35mm f/2 lens |
Other historic destinations in New Jersey similar to one like Waterloo Village ( which I discuss in my previous blog ) where constant human activity is not quite as prevalent compared to Princeton University. I would look for inspiration by relying on things such as choosing a different type of camera or lens with each subsequent visit. Each specific tool presents the opportunity to create images of a familiar subject from a whole different vantage point, but in the case of Princeton it's the added level of human interest that attracts me for each return trip. Except for extremely cold winter days when it can be pretty quiet, there's always someone or something to photograph, and unless I'm specifically testing some sort of recently acquired film camera, I generally stick to carrying one 35mm camera with one or maybe two lenses.
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| Fomapan 400 - Pentax K1000 w/50mm /1.7 |
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| Fomapan 400 - Pentax K1000 w/50mm /1.7 |
As I mentioned above it's more about what's going on at this location rather than experimenting with different types of camera gear. For me, it's all about that touch of human interest which accompanies this historic place. That being said, over the past 4 years, with the exception of a separate visit to test run a couple of larger sized medium format cameras, all of my Princeton images have been captured exclusively on 35mm black and white film. So that being said, along with the exclusive film format and keeping some other variables as simple as possible, such as selecting one specific film type, and choosing to shoot with only one camera per visit, I have established a streamlined, yet enjoyable shooting experience. On each occasion I have used a single film stock from either Foma, Ilford, Kodak or Rollei, and for this type photography at this location I generally don't shoot anything slower than 200 ISO or faster than 400. Camera wise, again keeping things as minimal and simple as possible, I choose to use just one camera and one lens with each outing. Cameras such as my Pentax K1000 or MX, paired with either a standard 50mm or a slightly wider angle 35mm lens. I've also used my compact Rollie 35 with its high quality 40mm Zeiss lens as well my very simple, focus free Ilford Sprite II and it's all plastic lo-fi 31mm lens. Just one camera, one choice of film type, observe, shoot and be inspired.
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| Fomapan 400 - Rollei 35 w/40mm f/3.5 fixed lens |
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| Ilford HP5 - Rollei 35 w/ 40mm f/3.5 fixed lens |
Inspiration can come from many directions, whether it's going back to one of your favorite locations and trying out a new camera, a new lens, a different type of film, and even though it's not my thing at this moment in time, taking photos in color instead of black and white, or even trying a new technique to give a familiar subject a new look. It's all part of the journey. We can all get a bit stuck at times, but if we dig into our bag of options and techniques we can generally find something new to try. In the case of street style photography we may not have to dig as deep, simply observe and then capture the moment, relying on subject interaction and not a bunch of camera gear to spark inspiration, simply documenting an ever changing story against a backdrop that can remain the same. So not being a hardcore street photographer by any means I still enjoy returning to Princeton. It has the right balance ( for me ) of human interest set against an incredible backdrop. It's about minimal camera gear, honing the skill of observing, awaiting the moment of inspiration, compose, document it, and tell the story :-)
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| Fomapan 200 - Pentax K1000 w/50mm /1.7 |
| Click here to see more photos from Princeton - Thanks for visiting my blog :-) |