Grafitti ideas...

[JustinRyan215]

I posted this question on a canon shooters forum, and I got 90 views, but no responses.....Just looking for some advice on taking interesting shots of "urban art", not the hideous scribbles, but the 'tags' that actually have some artistic value to them, especially the kind found on boxcars. I seem to be stuck in a rut, shooting from the same angle, distance, focal length....I can't seem to find my creative muse.....

Any advise?

Justin

[Iguanasan]

It's hard to make a suggestion without knowing what your "rut" looks like. Do you have a link to your Flickr stream or something similar so we can get an idea of what not to suggest?

[JustinRyan215]

I sure do! Here it is. Pleasefeel free to poke around, and give me any critiques that pop up....
Flickr: Justin Ryan sr's Photostream

[mbrager]

Hi Justin: I looked at your Photostream just now. You seem to know how to use your camera. You are right: the tag art on the train cars is a fantastic photo subject. Daylight photos seem harsh without a lot of photoshopping, but can you go out at night and shoot with flash, or light paint using a tripod and time exposures? The paintings themselves would stand out much more from the background. That's where I went with your question off the top of my head for what it's worth. Welcome to the forum, by the way.

[Iguanasan]

I went through and took a look at the ones you have posted on Flickr. I know exactly what you are going through (I think) as I've struggled with photographing graffiti art as well. First off, a few of them look like the subject is the box car or the train which just happens to have graffiti on it rather than the graffiti being the subject. The other challenge, which is also one I've struggled with is how to make your photograph the artwork and not simply a copy of the graffiti. Sorry, I'm probably asking more questions than I am answering but it's the way my brain is working today.

Hope this helps a little bit.

[AcadieLibre]

I had a quick look at your train graffiti shots and they really are not unique. Your creative muse you are going to have to find for your self but try different angles, perspectives, focal lengths. You need to experiment at first and just try anything no matter how inane it may appear at first. Try thinking I hate this term but the best I can come up with at the moment and "think outside the box". Then even maybe experiment in the post processing of your shots. Shooting graffiti and having it come off unique, just takes time and lots of practice and going outside your comfort zone, think wild and creatively and try anything and everything you can think of.

[asnow]

I'm certainly no expert on 'urban art', but to me the one aspect to give it is that 'gritty' look.