My imagination is on strike!

[swanny]

I have a assignment were i have to go to a friend or relatives home and take a series of photographs which convey imaginatively a sense of the person who lives there without actually photographing the person. Now it seems my imagination has gone on strike, ive walked round friends and familys houses and i'm sure there all cleaning everything personal out of the way before i get there so there homes look like mfi showrooms Has anybody got any ideas what sort of images they would take if they had to do it. Just so you know i aint cheating or trying to rob your ideas, what ive got so far is one of my friends is an asthma sufferer but finds it hard to stop smoking, so ive taken images of her tabs/cigs and inhaler at her bedside and also she exercises quite alot so ive taken images of various exercise equipment at varying angles and used different ways to light the items. I would be grateful for any suggestions before i either go completely grey or bald..lol:bonk:

 

[chriscross]

Whenever we have play time with my 18th month old son, he loves to get ALL his toys, books, crayons, cars etc out at the same time. This means that afterwards our living room resembles a toy factory, but also a place of fun, imagination, learning, possibly even 'chaos' lol! I'd guess if you have any friends with kids, that if they let you 'in' to their home post 'play time' that you would definitely get the feeling of fun, imagination, learning, which I would guess would come out in the photo. Hope this makes sense and helps!

 

[philthejuggler]

I think the asthma / smoking sounds good. Perhaps add her favourite food / clothes / jewelery and where she likes to sit / sleep? If she's into gardening then some shots of that?

 

[AllyB999]

Their favourite perfume/aftershave, their favourite shoes be it high heels or walking boots. A snapshot of their DVD collection, music collection. The car parked in the drive or the lack of a car. Anything related to the persons favourite hobby. The list goes on and on.

 

[MJWC1]

Anything linked to a hobby or a profession. Ornaments and furniture - particularly if they like antiques or any particular style. The things on top of a dressing table or a windowsill. Their favourite cup.

One approach is to think about what your home says about you and what you would like to have photographed as a way of documenting you.

 

[swanny]

Thanks guys, did my assignment and my tutor was blown away,which for him is rare , as he openly admits he is a bit of a moaner..lol.