I am a shy photographer. I don't generally like to photograph people unaware, and I often feel too awkward to go up and ask them if I can photograph them. So when I am out on the street and looking for subjects, I often find inspiration in other places. I've found that while these photos aren't necessarily of people directly, they can still be quite intimate and satisfying— and even tell a story. Here are my 3 favorite subjects to photograph that aren't people.
Shadows
First, and the easiest to photograph, are shadows. Shadows always make interesting subjects. They are easy to spot and can be quite playful. They work well in both black and white or in color, so they are very versatile. They also make extremely agreeable subjects, as they usually stay still for an extended amount of time.




Open Roads
Next, is open roads. Sometimes they're crammed with buildings, sometimes they're long, winding things that squiggle through country-sides. Or sometimes they lead nowhere. Either way, I find that roads can be so pleasing to photograph, whether it's a small element in your frame or the main focus.




Empty Chairs
Lastly, and my personal favorite, is empty chairs. There is something so lonely about empty chairs, yet also so intriguing. These are the subjects that I find myself returning to again and again. The setting and arrangement of the chairs betray the story of the people who sat in them. A sort of human-ness, once removed.




Conclusion
I would love to hear about some of your favorite kinds of subjects to shoot too, so please let me know in the comments. I hope this article proves that you don't always have to photograph people for interesting subjects. You can find inspiration anywhere in the world, even in the most unassuming places— all you have to do is look.
Loved this article. The idea of empty chairs is brilliant. I have been wanting to do a project of abandoned shoes, something about them captivates me. Love you website!
Very cool subjects- all pretty cooperative, although shadows can be fleeting. 😎
Some other subjects that I have seen you do excellent work with include buildings and structural elements- stairs and curtains. But one of my favorites is the hands and pottery wheel in black and white…❤️