Sunday, November 13, 2005

Don't cry


With the return of cooler weather, I once again find myself wearing a trench coat during the day. This supports my somewhat odd habit of taking surreptitious pictures of things I come across in stores, because it makes it relatively easy to carry my little digicam in a deep coat pocket without being caught by the grocery store police.

Your turn: I never thought I'd see the day, but I believe I'm starting to run out of things to photograph in supermarkets. Do you have any suggestions regarding other retail environments which might offer interesting photographic fodder? Do tell...

35 comments:

Marcia said...

what about odd things at children's playgrounds? Kids are always leaving things, wearing weird things, and then... the parents watching them! There's a lot going on...

via Michele, again...

Booksville Bookclub said...

I would think a hardware store would have tons of things to photograph. Parts of things like wheels or gears or fittings. How about a gardening store, with its flowers and bulbs, gardening tools, and greenhouse effects.

Leanne said...

Home Depot? or what about Arts and Crafts stores like Michael's?

Juggling Mother said...

I think hardware stores is a good idea. I'd steer clear of photographing kids playgrounds unless you want to spend a lot of time explaining yourself:-)

Here from Micheles today

MaR said...

Office supplies...just because I love those places!

ribbiticus said...

how about a home depot? lots of interesting and absurd thingamajigs there. :)

Anonymous said...

bookshops, novelty shops, computer stores and other gadgets, and also the bakeshop

Kevin said...

You've obviously got a good eye for photography (lots of cool angles and vantage points). I kind of get the feeling you could turn garbage into photographic art (not that I'm recommending you take pictures of discarded egg shells, or anything).

As for onions, they will always remind me of the scene in Shrek when Donkey gets Shrek's onion metaphor, but not quite in the way Shrek intended. Always makes me giggle. Still a cool pic, though.

Unknown said...

Maybe perfume bottles? They're very distinctive.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hi Carmi..
Came by from Michele's!

I haven't seen your other photo's, but how about a chocolate display or two! Maybe in an ice cream store?
If you've already done this, please forgive me!

kenju said...

Carmi, if you start photographing in a children's playground, the parents will think you are a pervert! Don't do it (unless it is your own children). I agree with hardware stores, shopping malls and antique shops. You should check out a blog I see everyday:

http://rickleephhoto.blogspot.com
He lives in my hometown and he does Thursday night produce, photo blogging that you might enjoy. He also has a mystery photo now and then, that people have to guess. Go see rick.

Michele sent me tonight.

carmilevy said...

JUDY: I've always explicitly stayed away from shooting other people and their children. I'd likely take offense to anyone else waving a lens around my kids, so I extend the same courtesy to others. I even hate taking pictures of my kids' friends at birthday parties...I ask the parents' permission in advance, then e-mail the photos immediately afterward.

Thanks for the link to Rick's site!

Unknown said...

Carmi - Sporting goods stores could yield some interesting pictures.

Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution. -Ansel Adams

Unknown said...

BTW - Michele sent me.

Spock said...

Thanks for coming by yesterday. I was behind you at Michele's tonight. She says Hi!! You can never go wrong taking pictures of a cute kitty. How about a pet store?!?!

Suzanne said...

why not do groupings of photographs that work around a specific theme...say for instance, different cultures? Pick one, India for example, and take pictures that "feel" ethnic. Bit's and pieces of the things that make up India. A bindi on a woman's forehead, spicy food, the colors of the clothing, etc. etc.

Dak-Ind said...

yeah im in agreement with the thrift store people. check out the flea markets, the photo fodder there, it boggles the mind.

michelle sent me today, but i always enjoying visiting you!

Anonymous said...

have you thought of the nursery and garden centers? a lot of the bigger stores like wal mart and fred meyer type department stores have retail garden centers with plants year round.

Kim said...

Photography at the super market? I'd never have thought of that.

I'm going to suggest the material store. Just imagine the pools of material you could photograph.

Jenny said...

I went to a blog recently and the guy takes pics of Thrift Store oddities. It was pretty cool.

:-)

Sandy said...

I absolutely love these photographs.

The night of my Senior Prom we took a photograph of Ben and Jerry's hiding in Broccoli. And no, we were not drunk. It did make for a fun photo, although not nearly as poetic as what you're showing here.

No useful suggestions, other than to say that you've gotten some great ones already.

Maggie Lamarre said...

Carmi, this is going to sound weird, but I luv to photograph different type of pay phones. They are dissapearing so fast. The other day I told my DD use the pay phone to call Dad. She turns around and say eeeck mom why don't we use the cell phone. Had to explain the battery is dead. Spent 15mtes looking for a pay phone couldn't found one. Ask the store clerk I was informed they took all of them away since no one uses them. here's one I did at disney
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=617193
Maggie

Maggie Lamarre said...

Carmi I belong to several photo challenge that might help. See the blogroll on my blog.
Maggie

Thumper said...

A liquor store...rows and rows of brightly colored bottles would make an awesome picture!

utenzi said...

Odd shapes and bright colors are great in pictures--and if you can capture it, textures also. Lisa's suggestion of an antique store would be good in that regard, also fabric stores. A store that sells candy unpackaged would also work since candy is usually in vibrant colors--and affect us since they trigger childhood memories and desires.

Michele sent me back to see you, Carmi.

Kathryn Thompson said...

Saw your comment at Surcie's blog and thought I'd stop over. She really resonates with me too.

I won't cry at the picture of onions but I did cry once while looking at produce...while pregnant.

I like the thrift store idea or maybe keeping with the food thing, just go to an asian market. So many new and interesting colors and textures to capture.

The Mistress of the Dark said...

The dollar store! Loads of weird stuff there!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Carmi! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I really like your writing. I'll be visiting often.

I think toy stores, even the Disney store, would be a fun place to snap some photos.

Christine said...

I love pictures of architectual (that's a word, right? :) details. Close-ups of nature are nice. And books!

Anonymous said...

A junk yard. I've been to a few with the hubby and the way things a re piled up I bet you could get some great shots.

Janet said...

Well I don't know what the supermarkets are like there in Canada, but here in the US the ethnic products can be a real treat. I know that sounds horribly stereotypical in the wrong circles but it's really not. Just ask Sylvia of Sylvia's Duck Sauce.:)

dena said...

I always love looking at your images.

Let's see...how about libraries and churches. Or mailboxes. Or even address plates on houses?

Anonymous said...

Carmi, good to be back.
Odd things? How about a hardware store? I miss those close-up, "guess what this is!" sorta shots you used to post. There's gotta be some great stuff in a hardware store for those.

Anonymous said...

Stationery and art supply stores are filled with colors, shapes, and textures.

Just saying. :)

Anonymous said...

I'll never look at an onion the same way again. How about a picture of your trenchcoat?