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While Jim Richardson famously said, “If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff,” it's also true that a good photographer can make beautiful images out of mundane subjects. Nothing shows that better than these photographs of park benches. There is beauty in everything if you know how to draw it out.
Rob is the founder of Light Stalking. His love for photography started as a child with a Kodak Instamatic and pushed him into building this fantastic place all these years later, and you can get to know him better here. Rob's Gear Camera: Nikon D810 Lenses: Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Is a bench better with or without someone sitting on it?! And has anyone who’s read this article NOT got a picture of a bench?! Surely everyone has? Here’s mine:
I’ve been shooting since early 70’s and it never ceases to amaze me how simplicity can invoke such a strong reaction (mood, feeling) in a photograph. It’s the backbone of excellent art in our graphically complicated world…
Excellent, All ! How Imaginative !
Even those who left a photo with their comment are wonderful.
Some wonderful and powerful shots of the humble park bench.
It’s often in the mundane you find true beauty.
Some really excellent shots. Here’s mine – I actually went and checked to see that he was still breathing as he didn’t move for quite some while… obviously worn out
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20 Comments
Some really great stuff here. My contribution:
Is a bench better with or without someone sitting on it?! And has anyone who’s read this article NOT got a picture of a bench?! Surely everyone has? Here’s mine:
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5001687334_6c354fd040.jpg
Bigger:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-dean/5001687334/in/set-72157624982086204/lightbox/
It was well worth the larger view on flickr – I hadn’t noticed the glasses in the image above! I suppose you have to leave ’em somewhere…
i have one
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shang-lumpia/4580432403/
Here is a picture of a bench I took at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge, California https://www.flickr.com/photos/emantable/5656022221/
thepaparazzo “called it”. Here’s mine.
https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5868820368_82fba3a3ed_b.jpg
Mystical, inspirational and just plain wonderful.
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4539665816_b2df3bdb55.jpg
Under The Bridge
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4614642525_2d86c6478c_b.jpg
I really like this one, but you haven’t said where it is…
https://flic.kr/p/97wNgP
Great images.
My contribution
I’ve been shooting since early 70’s and it never ceases to amaze me how simplicity can invoke such a strong reaction (mood, feeling) in a photograph.
It’s the backbone of excellent art in our graphically complicated world…
Excellent, All ! How Imaginative !
Even those who left a photo with their comment are wonderful.
Some wonderful and powerful shots of the humble park bench.
It’s often in the mundane you find true beauty.
Some really excellent shots. Here’s mine – I actually went and checked to see that he was still breathing as he didn’t move for quite some while… obviously worn out
This is a bench in the garden at work.