Creativity in repetition
Six months, the same commute, and a lesson in paying attention
Photography is in my opinion one of the best hobbies out there. One thing I think is a misunderstanding that photography and progress as a photographer happens from going on new adventures and seeing new things, I’ve absolutely had those thoughts previously. I think another perspective needs to be considered though, that if creativity through repetition.
At the start of the year I got a new job and have been going into the city 3 days a week. Between then and now I’ve been taking my M10 with me daily in the work bag and have built a little collection of images from the same route but in different lights, compositions, and seasons.
Over the nearly six months of the same route to work I’ve carried my M10 daily in my ever faithful Billingham Hadley Pro and built up a nice little collection of images while on my travels. As the collection builds one thing I’ve noticed is the ‘landmark’ images appear multiple times at either a slightly different angle, different weather, even variance in the time of day.
This repetition has in my opinion helped hone my observations and how I notice things I am going past multiple times a week. These are the skills that help when going to a new place because you’re now constantly looking for three or four ways to photograph the same thing.
This consistency of the same places extends a further appreciation for the quality of light. Seeing the same place so often where one of the main factors is the light being cast across the scene.
So all in all while repetition can lead to boredom in scenarios. I think there is a lesson to be learned and an opportunity to really dial in to the subtleties and nuance of the commute, your own suburb, or anywhere else you find yourself repeatedly. Next time you're on a routine commute see if there is anything you can see that changes from day to day.
All of the images in this post have been taken between me arriving at the station to head into the office and the commute home. The same view but with subtle differences through each image.
See you next month,
Tom
