I have been trying to get over this block I've been having lately, so I decided to reread a book that I bought about a year or two ago called "photography and theart of seeing" by Freeman Patterson. I haven't even gotten 1/4 of the way through it and I felt so inspired to just make some kind of photographic exploration. The book told me to basicallly just let go of everything and shoot. I payed no attention to trying to compose according to any guidelines, and I under/over exposed many shots, just to expiriment and see what I could come up with.

I ended up using this old ventilation site for the coal mine that has since been closed. my plan was just to explore the rubble using various focal lengths and kinda just getting in close. and such. These shots were what I came away with. Many of them I probably would have deleted on the spot if I were actually shooting in teh mindset I have been previously, but I just kept shooting away, not worrying whether I got anything good or not. I wasn't looking for an end result any more.

I think the reason why I felt like I was in a slump before was because I reached the peak of my abilities shooting in that particular way. This experience really opened my mind and I think I will be able to finally continue to develop as a photographer again, instead of just coming away with the same thing time after time.

I really recommend this book to anyone and everyone who feels like they are producing work that is somewhat standard and is beginning to seem uninspired. Or even if you just want to really take yourself to another level.

I think that's about it. I have never had so much fun taking photos as I did at this site. I really enjoy what I came away with too.

P.S. I am not sure if I spelled the name of the mine correctly or not. oh well.