This photo safari was done right at home which made the challenge feel both easier and harder somehow. I didn’t have to go far or plan anything too complicated. But that also meant I had to notice things I usually overlook. I set my phone timer and started with a picture of the time. I looked at the checklist and began looking around, trying not to overthink it. Part of me wanted to make each photo perfect, but the time pressure was quite unsettling and kind of forced me to go with my gut.
Setting
My house is quiet and most days when I had to find things to capture quickly, I started noticing small things. Like how green took over near the back door window. I wouldn’t normally think of it as “photo-worthy,” but for the shot about a color that dominates, it just fit. The way the leaves blended into each other and the soft light hit them. It felt easy on the eyes. It made me realize that sometimes “peaceful” is enough for a strong photo.
The Experience
The 15-minute window wasn’t terrifying, but I felt a bit annoyed having to race against the time. I felt myself scanning everything faster than usual, looking for a shadow, a weird reflection, anything that checked the boxes. One of the shots I grabbed was of my modem and its lights. I usually ignore it like it’s just background tech, but through the camera it looked kind of futuristic. The glow made the space feel distant like I was photographing something running a system I don’t understand. That one surprised me. It made me wonder how many things around me would look totally different if I just paused and looked from another angle.
Speaking of unusual angles, one shot ended up being the one of my budgie from below. He doesn’t usually pose, but for some reason he stayed still. That one upward angle gave him this funny, confident energy. He looked tall. The background was plain which let him fill the frame. I wasn’t expecting the photo to work that well, but it kind of just did. It reminded me why changing your angle changes the whole mood of a shot.
Most Thoughtful Moment
The last photo was supposed to be a metaphor for complexity. I wasn’t sure what I’d find, but then I saw my two birds sitting side by side, looking out the window. I took the photo without a thought. At first it just looked like… two birds. But the more I stared at the photo afterward, the more it started to say something else. They’re not interacting really. But they’re close. They have completely different coloring, but they’re sharing that same moment. It kind of reminded me how people can sit next to each other and still be in totally different headspaces. That sort of stillness where nothing’s really happening, but everything kind of is… it felt honest. And more complex than I expected.
What I Took Away
I only ended up with four photos and I know the list had more. But I don’t feel bad about it. I think I learned that rushing to check every box sometimes takes away the time from actually seeing anything. The ones I did get mean something to me. They came from pausing and actually paying attention to small things I usually ignore. I think that’s what I liked most about this photo safari as it made me stop treating everything around me like a static background. Even the modem that allowed me to access the Internet.
Maybe I can aim for more shots. But for now, these four felt enough.
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