Inspiration.6 - 1000 Steps Photo Project
“I take photographs in my neighbourhood. I think that mysterious things happen in familiar places. We don’t always need to run to the other end of the world.”
I walk daily. At least twice. With my two favourite girls.
Well trodden paths with the familiar views I love.
And as we entered into Lockdown 2.0, I was limited once again to our local area.
Taking my inspiration from Dr Steve Marshall, I started pursuing a new photo project called 1000 Steps.
In his article ‘Quest’ (and more recently ‘Craft’), he describes how taking photos within the ‘limitation’ of 1000 steps of his home has helped him to appreciate his “locale” and to see differently.
So that’s what I have been doing. Taking photos within 1000 steps of my front door in Bradford on Avon (that’s about half a mile for someone my height).
And it is helping me see differently. Walking somewhere so familiar, camera in hand heightens the sense of observation.
Details passed everyday are seen. Light moves to transform an object or make me appreciate anew something I’ve seen many times before.
Seasons emerge and colours change. Seasons fade and shadows reshape.
I look up more. Above the eyeline. I look around more. Observing changes.
This time of year has an added bonus. The light can quickly change. Twice last week, we started the dog walk in mist. 15 minutes later the winter sun came out turning the Bradford on Avon stone into a honey coloured heaven. That is when I’m glad I have a camera or phone with me.
Below is a selection of photos taken within 1000 steps of home. If you’d like to join in, please do. The rules are simple. Let me know how you get on.
Footnote
Two of my favourite photographers took some of their best photos close by their front doors - possibly within 1000 steps.
Saul Leiter near Saint Marks Place in the East Village of New York.
Eamonn Doyle’s Dublin Trilogy taken in Parnell St and O’Connell St, Dublin.
