My daughter played soccer today in Lenoir, NC, a town that has seen better days. Many of its long-time employers, big-name American furniture manufacturers, have moved out, sent their production abroad, or downsized. But it has some amazing architecture, and some really cool old buildings just screaming for restoration and a new purpose. How I wish I had millions of dollars to save some of them.
While her team warmed up, I wandered around the old Lenoir High School, and took photos. It is great to go to a new place, and not a particularly beautiful place, and shoot, shoot, shoot. Look for elements like texture, pattern, line, color, form, reflection and movement. Sometimes you can get the most amazing photos at relatively mundane locations. This is one of the exercises I describe in my book, Point, Click, Quilt! Turn Your Photos into Fabulous Fabric Art. Here are some of the photos I took today.
Why do I take photos? Most of my fiber art is based on photos, and I always use original photos (otherwise I’d have copyright issues). Plus, photography is a great way to boost your creativity, and to get ideas that inspire you. And it is fun. Give it a try!
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Wonderful photos of your town and it is sad to see so many towns in decay. We have a lot of old buildings in our area and one farm that I played at, when I was younger is falling apart.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Beautiful photos. I love rust & decay & always hope for reserrection.
ReplyDeleteWow, you really found some wonderful places to snap some great pix.
ReplyDeleteI've learned so much from your photos and how you take them that I have incorporated a wee bit of your eye in some of the pix I take.
Thanks for sharing....I always learn something and I'm always inspired!
Smiles,
Kelly
Love the photos! Especially the one that says: "Viking Corp, Hastings, MI." I live about 30 min. south of Hastings....And the Viking Corp is alive and well!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool, Teri! Glad to hear it.
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