After several consecutive lockdowns and confinements, the pandemic gave me a surprising photography gift. It enabled me to see the city I’d lived in for years with fresh eyes. I began noticing how the sunlight hit the cathedral at a particular time of day and how the oranges on the trees contrasted perfectly with the blue sky. And I took some of my favourite images that year, just wandering around the city centre.
In this video, Rick Bebbington takes us on a journey to find photo inspiration where you wouldn’t normally notice it. That is, in your immediate day-to-day surroundings. It’s really a great way to exercise your creative muscles and get you noticing details you would normally overlook. This video serves as a great reminder that great images can be found anywhere, as long as you’re willing to look.
The Power of Showing Up
Rick’s biggest piece of advice is to get out with your camera as much as possible. It doesn’t matter if the conditions aren’t perfect. What matters is the act of shooting.
“Resistance can stop us from going out,” he says. “We tell ourselves, ‘The light’s bad,’ ‘There’s nothing to shoot,’ or ‘I won’t get anything good.’ But the truth is, if we don’t go out, we’ll never take a single photo worth keeping.”
Rick admits that he, too, had fallen into the trap of waiting for the “right” moment. But this short, unstructured walk reminded him that photography is about practice, presence, and persistence.
Warming Up & Finding Your Flow
Not every shot will be a keeper, and that’s okay. Rick recommends starting with a few “warm-up” shots to get into the zone.
“We need shots like this to ease into the creative process,” he says. “Not every image has to be perfect; sometimes, you just need to press the shutter to get your mind working.”
As he continues, his compositions improve. He begins noticing lines, colours, and empty spaces, all elements that have become recurring themes in his work.
The Art of Noticing
Rick believes that one of the biggest hurdles in photography is familiarity. When we see the same places every day, we stop truly seeing them. “We go on autopilot. The challenge is to slow down, observe, and find beauty in the ordinary,” he says.
To train his eye, Rick avoids distractions: no phone, no music, just him and his camera. Try looking for:
- Strong lines (stairwells, alleys, shadows)
- Bold colours (even in muted environments)
- Negative space (empty areas that create mood)
- Unexpected human elements (like the man walking his dog, who turned out to be a movie extra!)
Embracing Imperfection
Not every shot from Rick’s walk was a winner, and that’s part of the process. He reviewed his images, noting which ones worked (like the stairwell shot with dramatic lighting) and which didn’t (cluttered compositions or weak subjects).
“The key is to learn from every shot. Why did this one work? Why did that one fail? Over time, this reflection sharpens your instincts,” says Rick.
Shoot Local, Shoot Often
You don’t need to travel far to take great photos. Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to train yourself to see it.
Rick’s challenge to fellow photographers:
- Go out locally (even if it’s just for 30 minutes).
- Leave distractions behind (no phone, no music).
- Notice the details (light, lines, textures).
- Shoot without pressure (not every photo has to be perfect).
“The more you do this, the more your creativity grows,” says Rick. “Mastery comes from repetition, not waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment.”
Joy Over Perfection
At the end of his walk, Rick didn’t come back with a portfolio-worthy masterpiece, but he did return with something just as valuable: the joy of shooting. “Photography is about slowing down and noticing,” says Rick. “When you focus on that, the pressure melts away, and the process becomes a lot more fun.”
So, grab your camera, step outside, and open your eyes. The best shot might be right outside your door.
