What inspires you? We put this question to the finalists in the Photography category of the 2013 Ultrabook Blogster Awards, requesting they show us a photo (either their own or someone else’s) that inspires them when their creative juices just aren’t flowing.
SUBMITTED BY 1000 BEDROOMS
The images that inspire me most are those that need no explanation, no backstory. While I love a good story, and I know there are many stories behind every photograph, it’s the images that speak on their own that I value the most. For me, Vale Street by Carol Jerrems is one of those images which sits completely away from any means of verbal language. VOTE NOW
The images that inspire me most are those that need no explanation, no backstory. While I love a good story, and I know there are many stories behind every photograph, it’s the images that speak on their own that I value the most. For me, Vale Street by Carol Jerrems is one of those images which sits completely away from any means of verbal language. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY BRANDON ROONEY
Winter Sunrise by Ansel Adams. I don’t really tend to have a favourite photo as such, but I do have a few favourite photographers and I try to draw inspiration from whatever possible. Though this image is a bit of a classic for me. The image is only a part of the reason why it is so inspiring. I have always been an enormous fan of Ansel’s work for two reasons; the first being that his photographs are technically perfect, and the second being his entire mentality towards his work. From what I gathered in his books, I seem to stick by his recommendations: try to communicate the beauty and clarity of the shot/scene, slow down (rushing = stupid mistakes) and work really, really hard. VOTE NOW
Winter Sunrise by Ansel Adams. I don’t really tend to have a favourite photo as such, but I do have a few favourite photographers and I try to draw inspiration from whatever possible. Though this image is a bit of a classic for me. The image is only a part of the reason why it is so inspiring. I have always been an enormous fan of Ansel’s work for two reasons; the first being that his photographs are technically perfect, and the second being his entire mentality towards his work. From what I gathered in his books, I seem to stick by his recommendations: try to communicate the beauty and clarity of the shot/scene, slow down (rushing = stupid mistakes) and work really, really hard. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY DIRTY LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY
I love this photo, not because of its composition or its technical aspects, but because of what it represents. It was taken by Bob Gruen who was personally asked by Lennon to shoot a series of press photos, of which, this was one of them. However, this photo never really saw the light of day as other photos took its place from the same shoot. Upon Lennon’s death, this photo was used as a central image about Lennon – he loved NYC and died in NYC, even though the US Government wanted to send Lennon back to England. I’m pretty sure this was also used as the image on Lennon’s coffin during his service. It is this type of photo I would like to take, albeit be known for – it reminds me that being close to artists and taking personal meaningful photos is sometimes more important than perfecting the cold technical side of photography. VOTE NOW
I love this photo, not because of its composition or its technical aspects, but because of what it represents. It was taken by Bob Gruen who was personally asked by Lennon to shoot a series of press photos, of which, this was one of them. However, this photo never really saw the light of day as other photos took its place from the same shoot. Upon Lennon’s death, this photo was used as a central image about Lennon – he loved NYC and died in NYC, even though the US Government wanted to send Lennon back to England. I’m pretty sure this was also used as the image on Lennon’s coffin during his service. It is this type of photo I would like to take, albeit be known for – it reminds me that being close to artists and taking personal meaningful photos is sometimes more important than perfecting the cold technical side of photography. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY ISABELLA MOORE
I discovered Martin Parr a few weeks ago after people I knew saw my work and informed me that we bore some commonality. I think we share a similar view of the world and how we notice people in their surroundings. Martin gets very close to his subjects most of the time without asking for permission, and it gives us a sense of ‘being there’ in the midst of all the action, as seen in his picture Common Sense. I envisage this lady when at times it has become difficult for me to be fearless in my approach and remember that my strengths lie in human interaction which explains why I spend half of my life taking pictures. VOTE NOW
I discovered Martin Parr a few weeks ago after people I knew saw my work and informed me that we bore some commonality. I think we share a similar view of the world and how we notice people in their surroundings. Martin gets very close to his subjects most of the time without asking for permission, and it gives us a sense of ‘being there’ in the midst of all the action, as seen in his picture Common Sense. I envisage this lady when at times it has become difficult for me to be fearless in my approach and remember that my strengths lie in human interaction which explains why I spend half of my life taking pictures. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY LDW PHOTOGRAPHY
I’ve picked a photo of a place called Vernazza which is one of five towns in Cinque Terre, located on the north-west coastline of Italy. I hung out in Vernazza with my girlfriend for a week during a 7 month travel stint back in 2011. Cinque Terre is one of the most picturesque and chilled out places that I’ve ever been to. So when I’m lacking a little inspiration this photo takes me back to such an awesome time and helps me remember why I love photography and gives me the motivation to keep my blog pumping! VOTE NOW
I’ve picked a photo of a place called Vernazza which is one of five towns in Cinque Terre, located on the north-west coastline of Italy. I hung out in Vernazza with my girlfriend for a week during a 7 month travel stint back in 2011. Cinque Terre is one of the most picturesque and chilled out places that I’ve ever been to. So when I’m lacking a little inspiration this photo takes me back to such an awesome time and helps me remember why I love photography and gives me the motivation to keep my blog pumping! VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY THE LIFE OF ALEKSANDAR JASON
So it was the morning after the crazy night of New Years 2012. We head back to Summerdayze 2013, with only a few hours sleep. Hundred or so kilometers from Lorne after photographing Falls and no breakfast! Running towards Sidney Myer with my girlfriend, I was pleased to demolish the “You?re not you when you?re hungry” Snickers campaign! VOTE NOW
So it was the morning after the crazy night of New Years 2012. We head back to Summerdayze 2013, with only a few hours sleep. Hundred or so kilometers from Lorne after photographing Falls and no breakfast! Running towards Sidney Myer with my girlfriend, I was pleased to demolish the “You?re not you when you?re hungry” Snickers campaign! VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY MOVINGARTOHOLIC
I would have to say a black and white image of Kate Moss taken by Bruce Weber in the late ’90s. She is blowing bubbles and bathed in full sunlight creating harsh contrast lines in all the right places. I love the candidness and effortlessness it portrays and every time I look at it, I am reminded of how beautifully simple photography can make things seem. VOTE NOW
I would have to say a black and white image of Kate Moss taken by Bruce Weber in the late ’90s. She is blowing bubbles and bathed in full sunlight creating harsh contrast lines in all the right places. I love the candidness and effortlessness it portrays and every time I look at it, I am reminded of how beautifully simple photography can make things seem. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY RAISED BY THE WOLVES
This photograph by Theo Gosselin captures the four elements every youth craves, being wild, naked, loved and free. I dream to be there with every glimpse. That’s why this photo inspires me beyond compare. VOTE NOW
This photograph by Theo Gosselin captures the four elements every youth craves, being wild, naked, loved and free. I dream to be there with every glimpse. That’s why this photo inspires me beyond compare. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY SYMPHONY OF COLOURS
This particular image is for me, the epitome of the lengths to which my mind conjures up the strangest of situations. Whenever I become stuck on a particular theme for a shoot, I refer back to this image as to always trust my instincts, despite however weird and odd it may seem. It represents entirely an idea formed in the recesses of mind, into reality. VOTE NOW
This particular image is for me, the epitome of the lengths to which my mind conjures up the strangest of situations. Whenever I become stuck on a particular theme for a shoot, I refer back to this image as to always trust my instincts, despite however weird and odd it may seem. It represents entirely an idea formed in the recesses of mind, into reality. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY VLADIMIR KRAVCHENKO
There is not one image that I go to for inspiration, but I do like to look at one of Deborah Tuberville‘s Bathhouse photos quite often. I love the image less for its obvious technical merits (well composed, well lit), or its referencing of painting, than for the mood of serene playfulness it evokes at first glance, at any glance. It’s an enchanting world, one I like to revisit. VOTE NOW
There is not one image that I go to for inspiration, but I do like to look at one of Deborah Tuberville‘s Bathhouse photos quite often. I love the image less for its obvious technical merits (well composed, well lit), or its referencing of painting, than for the mood of serene playfulness it evokes at first glance, at any glance. It’s an enchanting world, one I like to revisit. VOTE NOW
SUBMITTED BY VOENA
It’s hard for us to pick just one photo, but this one to the group is a really special shot. Future Music Festival is kind of the point where we realised we can do this, we can really push the envelope. With barely a year under our belts as a photography collective, we’d managed to get more than six of the group on ground. Shooting for Stoney Roads, Alex Rider (aka Boyz Noise), Smirnoff, Starfuckers, and Channel [V]. We really thrived, and our work complimented each other, and made us work harder to outdo one another. This photo was taken by Adrienne and it was a step above almost anything we’d done before, and this is one of those photos where we just go “holy shit” we’re really proud of what we achieved, and what Adrienne managed to push (she shot officially for Boyz Noise). VOTE NOW
It’s hard for us to pick just one photo, but this one to the group is a really special shot. Future Music Festival is kind of the point where we realised we can do this, we can really push the envelope. With barely a year under our belts as a photography collective, we’d managed to get more than six of the group on ground. Shooting for Stoney Roads, Alex Rider (aka Boyz Noise), Smirnoff, Starfuckers, and Channel [V]. We really thrived, and our work complimented each other, and made us work harder to outdo one another. This photo was taken by Adrienne and it was a step above almost anything we’d done before, and this is one of those photos where we just go “holy shit” we’re really proud of what we achieved, and what Adrienne managed to push (she shot officially for Boyz Noise). VOTE NOW
Want to know what our Food finalists cook up when they’ve only got five minutes on the clock? Take a look at their quickest recipes. Or what about our Fashion finalists, want to know what they treasure most? Take a peep inside their wardrobes.
