Pretty frequently, I hear photographers lamenting that they can’t find anything interesting to shoot. The best advice I ever received as a photographer was “don’t look for interesting things, make things look interesting.” ~ Joel Sartore in his Fundamentals of Photography courses.
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When you’re out shooting and not finding anything that jumps out at you as interesting or photo-worthy, here are a few tips to use to Make them interesting:
Photos featured in this article are a few of my stock photos on Dreamstime.
Reflections – mirrors of course, and find reflections in windows, puddles, rivers, any shiny surface like a vehicle outside or tv screen indoors.
![Idaho State Capitol Building north side facade reflection in winter](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/reflection-hte-north-face-boise-state-capitol-building-capitol-boulevard-boise-idaho-bare-trees-winter-landscape-166215997.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Angles – get up above and shoot downward, get low and shoot upward.
![Hershey`s Christmas Candy Kisses scattered in a cotton glitter background overhead view](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/hershey-s-christmas-candy-kisses-scattered-cotton-glitter-background-overhead-view-red-green-silver-wrappers-field-167591367.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Up close – get in close and show some fascinating detail of your subject.
![Safflower blossom closeup macro](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/safflower-carthamus-tinctorius-seeds-pressed-oil-once-was-used-to-make-red-orange-dyes-food-flavorings-garlands-made-103153358.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Far away – wide landscapes offer a feeling of vastness; foreground objects help define the field. Try getting low to the ground and shoot at a slightly upward angle, or any other position that offers a unique perspective.
![Boise Idaho Foothills 5](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/boise-idaho-foothills-photos-blanket-stratus-clouds-over-overlooking-city-taken-crescent-rim-drive-looking-north-108555935.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Contrasting colors – find layers or sequences of colors that make each stand out, red/green, blue/yellow, etc. Often fall foliage shoots will be a good opportunity for this with the reds, golds, and greens, but you sure can do it indoors with household objects!
![Dahlia black background red tipped yellow petals with yellow eye closeup](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/dahlia-black-background-red-tipped-yellow-petals-yellow-eye-closeup-dahlia-black-background-red-tipped-yellow-petals-143762341.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Shadows – can be fun indoors using lights or the sun through a window, or outdoors using light from sun, moon, street lamps, etc.
![Fancy Fence shadows on sidewalk](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/fancy-fence-shadows-sidewalk-fancy-wrought-iron-fence-shadows-sidewalk-street-photography-downtown-boise-idaho-132191039.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Patterns and textures.
![Vintage Pineapple Ornament glass](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/vintage-pineapple-ornament-glass-may-be-coburg-made-bavaria-germany-unable-to-verify-nubby-surface-designed-reflect-134613346.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Lines – leading lines, zig-zag lines, contrast of parallel and vertical.
![Idaho Capitol Building through art deco awning Boise Street Photography](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/view-idaho-state-capitol-building-capitol-boulevard-framed-art-deco-awning-pillars-idaho-capitol-132191105.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Shapes – interesting, overlapping shapes are fun, circles, squares, triangles.
![Idaho State Capitol Building Rotunda Three Floors Holiday Decorations](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/idaho-state-capitol-building-rotunda-three-floors-holiday-decorations-christmas-tradition-to-decorate-boulevard-166414487.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Dim light – you can get some soft, romantic, even spooky looks in dim light.
![Row brlightly lit hot air balloons Boise Idaho 2019](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/l/row-brlightly-lit-hot-air-balloons-boise-idaho-spirit-balloon-classic-august-around-country-gather-ann-morrison-157341155.jpg)
© Photographer: Michelle K Wood | Agency: Dreamstime.com
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