Accidental Tourist

 

As photographers we often find ourselves looking through our lenses like tourists, seeing the world around us with fresh eyes, documenting everything that’s new. Even what we’re familiar with can be captured through a new perspective, a different angle, a renewed way of discovering it.

And when we are actually tourists—experiencing something for the first time to us—it can also seem like we are children again; bright-eyed, curious, excited about new sights and sounds, people and landscapes.

There is nothing better than taking in all the wonder of our surroundings. Of seeing things from a different perspective. Exploring either the new or the old through a lens that appreciates it all. And having the tools to take what we see and create something brand new with it. To tell the stories that beg to be told. A moment in time that somehow, no one else has seen.  An angle that surprises even us and offers a whole new way of thinking. A landscape that feels as foreign as the moon and yet somehow as familiar as our own backyard. A person, who seemingly comes out of nowhere begging to be noticed, recognized, seen, recorded.

I am here. Can you see me? Do you know what I stand for?  the monument pleads.

I am here. Can you see me? Will you help me to tell my story? the man begs of me through his gesture (a peace sign).

I am reminded time and again of what an incredibly important job we have. It is through our eyes, through our lenses that stories—of us and of the world—are told.

Do show us today what stories you been asked to tell.

Comments

[Valerie]

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/02/silent-saturday-february-24-2012.html

I'm not sure what that cow was trying to tell me.

[Gabriele]

I get up early and drive my husband to work. One morning I really saw how beautiful my little town is in the night. Hense, a new reason to bring my camera.
http://backontheflooragain.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-town-at-night.html

[Anna]

Winter where I live gets really looooooong, with lots of snow and cold. But, I keep seeking it's beauty, meaning, and special qualities. My blog post today celebrates the minimalism of winter. I think that it's an important story that winter wants to tell.

http://vandemarkdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/minimalism.html

[Maria]

This exactly where I was going with my last blog entry. Your's is so much more eloquently put :-) But the meassage the same: It was time to stop and take it all in.
http://creativelensphotoblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/im-a-photographer-not-a-tourist/

[Marcie]

The story of this week is one of a family of swans:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/2/26/what-ties-and-binds.html

[Cristen]

My blog post from today tells a little story of seeing a place as a tourist and through my kids eyes...

http://www.cristenfarrell.blogspot.com/2012/02/week-in-paris-with-kids-paris-travel.html

[Caryn]

The story of the Salton Sea is one I find myself returning to again and again. No many how many times I return, there is always something new to see. http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/49366/

[rakusribut]

lol sometimes it is so amazing to discover that a shutter sisters post completely coincides with my own work
yesterday i left my dad's house and met these two ducks
they wanted me to capture them and tell their story, so i did :-()
http://exploringwithmycamera.blogspot.com/2012/02/duck-stories-ducks-are-everywhere.html

[Gabriela]

Breath taking view while driving on the northern west coast of France: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamaraca/6928800719/in/photostream

I am glad for the memory!

[Kristina]

wandering through the remaining hutongs of beijing, documenting their novelty, beauty and charm on pictures!

http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/beijing-hutong-wanderings-1.html

[Heather]

An old picture but a favorite, favorite place of mine that always seems both timeless & brand new when I visit again: http://joyfulwise.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/monday-came-bearing-gifts/

[Professional photography in Yorkshire]

Brilliant unique photo, keep up the good work.

[kate]

What a justoposition of good vs. evil in that photo. The good - the freedom and liberty expressed in the monument and the flight of birds. The evil - the occupiers and their filth and demands which would collapse this country.

[Petinahope]

I'm fresh back from India & took some images along the way:
http://petinahopephotography.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/adventure-new-delhi-india/