A different perspective
Asking the people around me about sense of place
Making this book and the creative ideas behind it sometimes feel too specific because they come from my personal experiences with how I perceive the world around me. To combat this feeling I have been asking the people around me questions about this subject to get different perspectives. I wanted to know what makes them ‘feel’ an image instead of just seeing it and the elements that they think impact this feeling.
Feeling the atmosphere
I asked: “ When you look at a photo, what makes you feel the atmosphere of a place instead of just seeing what it looks like?”
There were overlapping mentions of the way the lighting and overal tone of an image plays an important role in setting the atmosphere. Someone gave the example that when shooting an empty place, a dimly lit cold toned place where it might even be raining would make the place feel more sad. Others mentioned that they want to be able to connect the image to their own personal experiences or be led into this new world by experiencing close-up shots and candid moments. It made me think about how atmosphere isn’t only built by the space itself but also relies on a persons emotions and experiences.
History and memories
Next I wanted to know about signs of history and memory in a place so I asked: “What details help you notice that a place has a history or carries memories?”
Almost everyone mentioned the following: wear and tear, texture and the traces of people or other life. Someone described an old church and how you can tell by the smoothness of the floor where people have walked the most. I really liked this example, Wabi-sabi is all about celebrating the marks that time leaves behind. Another person mentioned the way patina on film photos can make a place that isn’t that old feel older because of the ‘vibe’ the images have. They said: “ Even if the place isn’t old, it feels like it has lived.”
Fleeting moments
I wanted to know how many of the people I know also look around for fleeting moments once in a while or if they have ever been made aware of these moments and how. Some people answered that they havent really given it any thought and don’t look for these moments while others explained that they mostly experience fleeting moments in nature. Someone describes the way water ripples after a bird just flew away and other’s gave the example of an animal that can move away at any time. Having some people answer that they don’t pay attention to these things makes me excited to show them the world from a different perspective.
Silence and space
Another question was about the emptiness in an image: “How important is empty space or silence in a photo for you?”
Almost everyone agreed that empty space gives them room to think or breathe. One person said: “It gives an image a slower pace, it let’s me feel instead of just look.” After reading this I realised you can use empty space to change a snapshot into something with more meaning and time to contemplate.
Personal
When I asked: “What makes an image feel personal and intimate instead of just documentary?” many answered that imperfections are key. They prefer seeing images that are a bit raw, unpolished or imperfect. The following is a line that stuck with me: “If everything is perfect, it hasn’t been through anything.” Everyone agreed that imperfection gives character.
Someone also mentioned that they prefer candid photography more compared to staged photography for this reason.
Details over landmarks
I wanted to know if they were more interested in seeing big landmarks or smaller details. Every single person chose the smaller details. Someone did add that they like both because they like to see different perspectives. But most mentioned that they enjoy the smaller details, the overlooked things like worn textures or the quiet corners. As one said: “ Landmarks are nice for wallpapers, but small details tell stories.” It tells me that sense of place hides mostly in the ordinary things in life.
Mono no aware
Finally, I asked: “ If you had to describe a photo that gives you a sense of mono no aware, what would it look like?” One person imagined:“a tree through the seasons” How you only get to experience autumn foliage and spring blossoms for a short time.
Another said: “An old photo of snow, because we hardly get it anymore.” Someone else described “a still moment in nature, right before it ends.”
These descriptions all share the same idea: This moment is special because it will not last. Mono no aware is that moment of recognition.
Impact
Lastly I wanted to know what they wanted this photo book to leave them feeling like. Most said Inspired, nostalgic and calm. Someone mentioned they wanted to leave this book with a feeling of inspiration to create something themselves and to look back at memories.
Listening and reading these answers taught me that a sense of place is never just visual. It’s built from time, memory, and feeling from the way we project our own experiences into what we see. Places live through traces: worn edges, shifting lights and imperfections. They remind us that everything is temporary, and that’s precisely what makes it worth noticing. I will take this with me in the next steps of making this photo book.