An old theatre in Coos Bay, OR.

Subject Matter...

It's been 57 days since I started my "Photo of the Day" project.  I've tried to challenge myself each day to find unique, "cool", and interesting subject matter for my photos.  I don't want to - as my class instructor put it - "just put up stuff for the sake of posting".  I want to be proud of the photo I post each day.
Now - granted - there have been a few non-artistic shots....but who can find fault in a much needed cocktail at the end of the week???
I've tried to vary my subject matter - but have noticed a pattern in my shooting preference.  I tend to lean towards nature and landscape shots.  I've given this some thought, and tried to figure out why that is.  There's the first reason - we shoot what we see often.  So that would be my garden, and things I may pass daily on my commute.
There's a second reason too.   I love the way photos of flowers, landscapes, old barns (I LOVE BARNS) - evoke a particular feeling when I look at them.  They really draw me into the photo, and I try to picture myself in them.
I'm finding it a bit challenging to branch out from what I am drawn to - to shoot different types of subject matter.  So.....I'm opening up a challenge for my friends and family - is there a subject YOU would like to see me try and capture?

Shooting with intent.....

I just wrapped up the last session in my first level photography class.  I cannot believe how fast the past 7 weeks have gone by!  At the very start of the class - the instructor broke out his sword and knighted us as photographers from there on out.  With such a title, came responsibility.  We were now supposed to "shoot with intent".
What does that mean?  Well - anyone with a point and shoot camera, can take snapshots of anything.  That's what we all were before....snapshot takers.  Photographers shoot with the intent of capturing some sort of mood, emotion, reaction, etc.
I recently took a small vacation with family and friends to Coos Bay, OR - one of my friends is also in my class.  We both brought our nice SLR cameras on the trip - determined to take a ton of photos.  We went on a special "safari" around downtown Coos Bay, with it's historic buildings and small town charm.  We reflected on this yesterday before class - and both came to the same realization.  We didn't really take any random "snapshots" like we would have before....we were on a mission to capture a great photo...we were shooting with intent! 
It's funny how things change....