Welcome to week 191 of the Tuesday Photo Challenge!
Thanks again to all of you for the wonderful posts on last week’s theme of Mist! I have to admit that I struggled a bit with this week’s theme, as the holidays are also coming up and I wanted to leave some options for next week’s theme. However, after some looking around, I thought that it might be interesting to go for something rather Common… Whether it is the every day, common object or the things that you have in common, or crossing the town common… This is a word that allows for plenty of creative directions to be taken, so feel free to take the one that speaks to you!
I look forward to reading all of your posts on this theme and seeing what path you have chosen on this theme.
Here’s a rather common object…
Common Objects
There are few objects that are more common than the paperclip: a bit of metal, bent several times to give it utility. My goal in this product shot was to lend something a bit more artistic to this run-of-the-mill object. By using a very low angle of incidence in my lighting of the scene, more shadows were projected by the paperclips, adding a bit of drama.
The full rules of this challenge are in TPC Guidelines, but here’s the tl;dr:
Create a pingback link to this post, so that I can create a post showing all of the submissions over the week (note: pingbacks may not appear immediately, as my site is set up to require approval for linking to it; helps against previous bad experiences with spamming)
Have fun creating something new (or sharing something old)!!
Let the common be your guide to uncover the uncommon in the every day!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Hi Frank, thank you for this fun topic and I love your shot of the paperclips! For this week’s contribution we focus on the common pleasures found in nature and feature a common seal: https://whippetwisdom.com/2019/12/17/quadrille-day-moon-glow/
Ah, paperclips. I have an excellent appreciation of those. 🙂 Also for the fun crafts they allow, with minimum pre-planning, on a rainy day or to help children understand the concept of sequence. 🙂
Here’s my interpretation of the prompt, this time with a touch of story, rather than a poem. https://naamayehuda.com/2019/12/17/common-good/
Na’ama
Your colorful photo of paper clips just further cements my love for office supplies. (if I had more time, I would have collected all of mine for this challenge!!).
However…still a fun challenge:
Dutch goes the Photo! 
Hi Frank! Good choice this week. Hope you like these:
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2019/12/17/tuesday-photo-challenge-common/
Great choice!
Thank you!
I have gotten quite common Frank 😀
https://bushboy.blog/2019/12/17/common/
Awesome set of common shots!
Thank you Frank 🙂
ps love the coloured clips. Great photo Frank
Thank you, Brian!
Never thought about the many meanings of the word! Here’s my take https://dailymusing57.com/2019/12/17/tuesday-photo-challenge-common/
Wonderful post!! Those are awesome colors for a ‘common’ bird.
Frank, great topic/theme again … and I love the artistic thinking about your shot. Great shot.
Thank you, Viveka! Love what you did in your post!
Frank, thanks for your kind words. Means a lot.
Fun fact: the French word for paperclip is ‘trombone’. You can see why.
Too funny…!
It becomes just a little less common with such a great name!!
Hi Frank, thank you for this fun topic and I love your shot of the paperclips! For this week’s contribution we focus on the common pleasures found in nature and feature a common seal: https://whippetwisdom.com/2019/12/17/quadrille-day-moon-glow/
Thank you, Xenia. Your post is simply wonderful! Love the happiness in Eivor and Pearl!
Thank you so much for your kind words Frank! 🙂
This was a tough one!
https://junkboattravels.blogspot.com/2019/12/common.html
Great post, Jackie!
Common objects maybe, but an uncommonly beautiful photo.
Here are some photos of common people: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2019/12/13/people-watching-on-weekends/
Awesome photos! I love the people watching that you did.
Ah, paperclips. I have an excellent appreciation of those. 🙂 Also for the fun crafts they allow, with minimum pre-planning, on a rainy day or to help children understand the concept of sequence. 🙂
Here’s my interpretation of the prompt, this time with a touch of story, rather than a poem.
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/12/17/common-good/
Na’ama
What fun! Thanks for another great challenge.
Thank you!
What is common can be different for everyone. An apple is one of the most common things on my kitchen counter –
https://wp.me/p9EWyp-1zo
Great idea!
Common perhaps but colorful!
I’m a fan of multi-colored paper clips! I also have animal-shaped paper clips. Writers love paper clips.
https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2019/12/18/tuesday-photo-challenge-common/
Thank you! Love your post!
Hi Frank, here’s my response to your ‘common’-prompt. Nice photo by the way.
https://studiotionghan.com/2019/12/18/common-tuesday-photo-challenge/
Great post on this theme!
Here’s my take on Common:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2019/12/18/tuesday-photo-challenge-common/
Hello again Frank, we’ve found a common scene this Winter for our second contribution: https://tranature.com/2019/12/18/haiku-winter-solstice-ii/
Wonderful post, Xenia!
Thank you Frank! 🙂
Love your paperclips for the week.
Here is my gallery for the week.
https://ceenphotography.com/2019/12/18/tuesday-photo-challenge-common/
Thank you, Cee! Love your post!!
Great post!
Great challenge and image… Wishing you and yours a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Have a great time xx
One simple capture turned extraordinary. Lovely it is 🙂
Thank you!
Your colorful photo of paper clips just further cements my love for office supplies. (if I had more time, I would have collected all of mine for this challenge!!).
However…still a fun challenge:
http://oneletterup.com/2019/12/22/common-crayons
Happy Holidays to you!
Great color in those crayons!
Thank you. They caught me eye!