If you're someone like me - an average hobbyist photographer who doesn’t travel to spectacular locations on a daily basis - you probably know this feeling well.

Every time I head out to take photos, usually somewhere near my house, there are two wolves inside me.
One of them goes: "This again? How boring."
The other: "Wtf, look at that light! That’s an incredible shit!"

The first wolf reminds me just how ordinary the scene in front of me really is. The second urges me to see that same scene differently, to assign new meaning to something familiar and overlooked.

My ideal mindset lives somewhere in the balance between those two voices.

When one of them goes missing, I usually end up with images that are either dull and flat, or flashy but empty - style over substance kind of pictures. Far from spectacular.

But what is a spectacular photo?

We’re all pretty conditioned by Instagram and other social media.

If you're even slightly interested in photography, your feed is likely filled with jaw-dropping locations. I’d bet good money that 33% of it is Iceland, another 33% is Madeira, and the rest is somewhere between Jordan and Japan.

It’s hard to compete with that when your options are a walk in the park or a trip to the next town over - on a good day.

But I can’t repeat it enough: spectacular location doesn’t mean spectacular photos.

Emotions make photographs

Great photos are the result of a interesting subject, good conditions, and one more thing: an emotional element.
You might lacking jaw-dropping subject or great lighting. But the last part is the most important factor.
It comes from you. You have it or not.

If you’re genuinely excited about photography, it will show in your images - even if you’re just photographing a cracked tire.

Ever seen that guy on Instagram, Preet Uday, who shoots McDonald's signs, Shell stations, and ice cream stands? Have you ever seen how he lights up with joy every time he hears his shutter click? Then you know what I mean.

I have a friend who takes photos of her brother. Her best work was made without ever leaving the house.

Start taking spectacular photos

I assume your everyday life isn’t super spectacular - unless you're someone like the President of the US, which I sincerely hope you’re not.

It’s in the everyday, where real photography happens. This is where you have the most control over how spectacular your photos will be.

If you’re excited like it’s your first time every time, your audience will feel it.
If you’re dragging your feet because you can’t afford a trip abroad this week, your audience will feel that too.

You don’t need a mountain range or a tropical island. Wherever you are, if you’re actually looking, you can have more than that. You need curiosity, patience, and a bit of stubbornness. You need to give a damn - about the place, the moment, the story, even if it’s about a broken chair.

If you treat your surroundings like they matter, they will.

I created a guide (well, a mini-course is a better word), which will help you make more compelling, clean pictures.
It includes a little bit of theory, example images and practical tips/exercises.
Do you want to start making minimalistic, clean images that stand out? That guide is for you. And yes, it’s FREE.

Download the guide

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