Photographing Your Neighborhood -- Photo Tips -- National Geographic

Convertible, Los Angeles
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Catherine Karnow is a San Francisco-based photographer whose work has appeared in National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, and other publications. She has been teaching photography workshops since 1995.
The wonderful thing about photography is that you can always pick up your camera and shoot in your own neighborhood. When I was at a crossroads in my career, considering being a filmmaker, I chose photography because I didn’t need a team of people to go and shoot—I could take my camera and go out on a weekend and shoot locally.
Think about creating a portrait of your neighborhood by shooting a variety of subjects that altogether make a cohesive gallery of images. You want your collection to have both visual and subject matter variety. Be sure to shoot nature, architecture, food, people, and cultural activities. Vary shots aesthetically as well: wide shots for landscapes, medium shots for street scenes. And don't forget people and details. Finally, shoot at different times of day to have a mixture of light: early morning, midday, and dusk.
Go for a Ride
I often find myself shooting in convertibles to show the simple fun of a car ride. Ask a friend with a convertible to drive, and get some willing subjects to ride with you. Sit in the back and shoot the road ahead, or sit in the front and turn around to shoot passengers having fun in the back. It’s a great way to show the scenery of your area. —Catherine Karnow
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Flagstaff, Arizona
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Visit Main Street
What does your town look like? Try showing it from a vantage point that captures the activity and architecture of its center without being too far away to get a sense of place. In Flagstaff, Arizona, I was able to get permission to shoot from the roof of a building across from a historic hotel.
When I’m in a town, I look for views that are only a few stories high, that are in the center of town, and that look down on a plaza or main street. Then I wait for something interesting to happen, like a great car going by or a bunch of bicyclists. Capturing a good moment is always important. —Catherine Karnow
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Guitar Player, Arizona
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Capture Your Natural Surroundings
What is the terrain like where you live? Are there cornfields, beaches, lakesides, mountains? Show the geography of your area by going to a nearby scenic spot. And don’t forget to put people in your pictures to show how the natural beauty is enjoyed by locals. Don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member to pose for you. For this image, I asked a friend to bring her guitar and play music in the open air outside Flagstaff, Arizona. —Catherine Karnow
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Granola and Fruit, Montreal
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Photograph Local Food
I always shoot a beautiful presentation of food I’m served before I start eating. Food is an important ingredient when it comes to place and makes a great subject for detail shots. Choose a restaurant or cafe with good natural light and well-presented food. In Montreal, I shot the breakfast I had ordered at a popular spot famous for its homemade granola. Try to shoot food that’s both photogenic and a local specialty. I never use a flash when shooting food. Instead I always place the dish as near as possible to a window, preferably backlit. —Catherine Karnow
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Soccer Practice, Connecticut
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Go to a Game
Sports are a big part of all cultures, so attend your kid's soccer game or a local tournament. Since I’m a terrible sports photographer, don't own a long telephoto lens, and am much more interested in what’s happening on the sidelines, I tend to shoot everything but the game itself. I like to be close to all the other activities happening around me, such as the kids getting ready to play, parents and pets, or vendors selling drinks and snacks. Using a wide-angle lens allows me to stay close and actually interact with people. In Greenwich, Connecticut, even ordinary interactions between moms and kids captured my interest. —Catherine Karnow
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Barbecue, California
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Document Your Social Life
What better way to show how people socialize in your world than by documenting a barbecue or weekend get-together? Friends are easy subjects and will love getting some images sent to them afterward. On assignment in Napa, I shot an al fresco dinner in an environment that was so familiar to me that it might as well have been a family gathering. Shoot the food being prepared, people having fun, the kids running around. What seems utterly ordinary to you is in fact a slice of the cultural life of your world. —Catherine Karnow
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Squash Blossoms, Santa Monica
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Visit the Farmers Market
A trip to the farmers market is a classic weekend activity and a great opportunity to capture scenes from your neighborhood: people enjoying the food, vendors displaying their produce, fruits and vegetables enticingly arranged. I always ask permission before I shoot, compliment the farmer on their produce, and stay out of the way of a transaction. I also never leave the stand without buying something. This is because I tend to choose just a couple of stands rather than skip around. I love stands with beautifully displayed items and whimsical-looking signs indicating what the produce is—signs that have character and are handmade. In Santa Monica, I couldn’t resist shooting colorful squash blossoms nestled among purple artichokes. —Catherine Karnow
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Art Gallery, Los Angeles
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Go to a Gallery
Along with architecture, sports, and food, art is an important part of any culture. Many towns have a monthly day of open galleries, an evening art walk, or a street arts festival. I shoot art that I like and often gravitate toward bold pieces with color, as they tend to photograph well. I always ask permission of the gallery owner or whoever is in charge—sometimes artists and galleries let you shoot the art as part of a scene but not close-up. I always explain the reason why I’m shooting, and I find that people are generally accommodating, whether I’m on assignment or doing a personal project, especially when I promise to send photos. Getting permission to shoot always allows you the freedom and time to shoot while free of anxiety. I’m thankful that digital photography has made it a lot easier to email pictures, and even though it takes up a lot of my time, I believe it's important to share. Plus, sending a simple snapshot can make people so happy. —Catherine Karnow
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Neon Sign, Flagstaff
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Include Interesting Neon Signs
Shooting great-looking neon signs at dusk is a way to show an architectural detail and give a sense of place, especially if the sign is in the local language. The sign can be the most prominent part of the image, but be sure to show context as well. —Catherine Karnow
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Neighborhood Diner, Montreal
Photograph by Catherine Karnow
Hang With the Locals
I’ve always loved diners because you meet all sorts of local characters, some of whom may have been coming to sit in the same spot for lunch for the last 20 years. In diners people are comfortable with each other, and the jovial camaraderie between cooks, servers, and customers is all out in the open. In Montreal, I discovered a neighborhood spot where hipsters, businessmen, and workers all sat side by side. I always sit down, eat, and hang with the regulars; I shoot when I see a good shot. I’ve found that a camera, rather than being a threat to people, is often a conversation starter, an icebreaker. People want to know why you’re shooting, and they relax when you tell them you’re having fun or doing your own project. Photo enthusiasts like to talk about what kind of camera you’re using and the latest types of photo gear. —Catherine Karnow
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