I’ve been feeling like I needed to shoot something for myself lately and so I gave myself a little challenge this morning. I drive 5.8 miles back and forth to my studio everyday and often find myself forgetting to look around, see the world and appreciate it for what it is. So, here was my challenge – to make a series of photographs along my normal 5.8 mile route to work. My goal was to make all the images fit together thematically and stylistically, so as to stand on their own as a body of work. It took me over 2 hours to make it to work this morning, but I had a nice time stopping to appreciate what I often pass right by.
I know they’re not setting the world on fire, but I thought it would be fun to share some of the images I made this morning. I tried to post them in the order in which they were shot -
There you have it! 5.8 miles.
If you’re a photographer reading this, I highly recommend you do this project (even if you work from home, you probably still have your normal route through the house!). If you decide to, please email me a link – I’d love to see them!
delightfully,
Chenin
Got a bee in your bonnet to chat? Here’s how to find me:
Email: chenin@cheninboutwell.com
Tele: 949.348.0257
Studio: 27132A Paseo Espada, Suite 401, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(by appointment only)
what a great idea! The dog and shopping cart ones are my favorites. My normal route through my house…. now that’s a good idea.
I love shooting personal projects. My buddy Drew and I go out once a month to random places around here and shoot for ourselves. It’s so much fun. By the way, I love these, they look awesome!
I love this idea! I think it’s great to slow down and really shoot for oneself. I love the shopping cart photo and the other photo of the sign with the guy getting electrocuted.
Rock on! Great idea… love the photos.
LOVE these. Is it weird that these are totally making me miss Orange County more than all the gorgeous beach shots ever do?
Awesome! What a great idea. Very inspirational for myself to get out and get looking at the ‘everyday’. Did you use any of your TRA on these??
It must be the day for self-assignments: http://vanessasphotography.blogspot.com/
I love the lines, shapes and patterns that you came across! Isn’t it refreshing to shoot for yourself sometimes? =)
This is a great idea. Should just slow down and see the things around you. You put everything else in different prespective. I love your work.
Awesome! My walk is pretty short… (5meters..LOL) but I love the idea! Maybe we could do the walk to preschool!
What a totally cool idea! I’m def. going to do it, thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! And I too know this feeling. I drive and hour to and from Santa Barbara weekly and notice all kinds of cool nooks and never stop. Perhaps I should.But how long did it take you to get to work that day?
i did this a few years ago on my weekly walk to a doctors appointment: http://shannonleith.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html
i love these! especially the square format, and your deadpan style to mundane moments.
LOVE these! I just love ‘em. (very Chenin Boutwell)
I’m excited to partake in the challenge.
Funny that you posted this personal project because I done the same thing yesterday; no, not planned at all, just out of the blue. I called it “MsB@Play” because it surely wasn’t for work, it was just for fun!
these rock, chenin! i’ve got a 15 mile commute through rural farmland, so i know i could find something fun. thanks for the inspiration. =]
Great stuff Chenin! I’m lovin the white chair one and the criss cross shopping carts the best.
I LOVE this! oooh, the lines… What a great project! I doubt the one floor walk from my bedroom to my office would be so interesting, but who knows?
Nice project Chenin. I like the square crops
The shopping cart shot below the red background w/bug is my favorite. What an awesome idea. Very conceptual and narrative. An awesome walk to your work!
I like what you done here.
What a neat idea! I will let you know when I have mine up. I drive 35 miles to work
By the way those are some great shots.
i love this idea chenin. Great shots.
Great idea, and really awesome shots! great job.
What a awesome idea… love it! The dog image – hysterical. The shopping carts – love it.
i luv the shopping cart images. i shoot at least 1 personal project each month…it makes agreat difference. Thanks so much for sharing these.
peace
parris whittingham
New York City Wedding Photographer
My favorite is the delivery truck. It looks personified. This is excellent photography.
loooooove THAT BUG ONE!
I should soooo do this. Great activity.
I took the challenge. It was only 2.2 miles long, but I got some pretty neat pictures out of it and had a blast shooting just to shoot. You can see the results on my blog here http://www.bryankannowski.com Great excersice and some great pics as always! You and Doug are definitely an inspiration!
Hi Chenin,
I did something similar last week with 5D/pinhole lens on my lunch hour.
http://studiowork.com/wordpress/?p=174
This post chows the camera:
http://studiowork.com/wordpress/?p=173
THanks for the inspiration. I tend to think of my personal projects last on my list… not a good habit.
Lisa didn’t post on the 22 of May! Totally RAD!
Brilliant!
I do this a lot with garbage around the streets and frozen meat. Yea, I said it, frozen meat…Cheers! I’m off to cook ribs!!!