Try it…if you don’t like it you can spit it out in my hand….

This was an expression that my sister and I heard quite often growing up especially when it came to the dinner table.  By keeping an open mind to the unknown and knowing that we could always spit something out if we deemed it be gross enough our palette was expanded.

But how does this relate to photography…. I’m sure that is the question your asking yourself.  Well now that most people have gone digital we have our images at our fingertips instantaneously so in the matter of mere seconds we can decide if we like the image we have taken or if we want to just spit it out.  This also gives us a sense of freedom we are not confined to 36 shots per roll in a situation where you have to make sure each one count.  Instead it enables us to step outside of a comfort zone and try something new whether it be a shooting style or subject matter.

Ultimately at first you may want to spit out this new taste, but if you wait it out and try a slight bit more you may find you enjoy it and if not well for a brief period your have tried something new.  And at the end of the day stepping outside of ones comfort zone will ultimately help in the training of your eye and allowing you to see things from a different perspective causing you to become a more well rounded photographer.

The following images were all taken on a photowalk that was lead by Rick Sammon that took place at The Unisphere  which is located in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, NY.  These images are my way stepping outside my comfort zone and trying something new.

And in case you were wondering yes we did occasionally spit things out and most recently that food was Uni (sea urchin)