Posted on March 29, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Inspirational Photographs
I draw inspiration from a lot of different sources, but when I am having a particularly tough time sitting down to write, I love to look at imagery. This can come from visiting a certain place, or just looking at a photograph of a beautiful location. If you saw the amount of “coffee-table” style books that I own filled to capacity with photographs of the most beautiful places in the world.
I’m a very visual person, in case you can’t figure that out just yet. The photographs that I use to get the writing juices flowing, are very particular. They have to speak to me somehow. When I get lost in a photograph it is often the medicine I needed to get down to business and start writing. The writing that follows after viewing certain photographs, is very often my best. This includes, but is certainly not limited to actually being somewhere beautiful. However, the photographs work just fine too.
I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you and tell you why they inspire me. I do have to admit, that upon looking at my 1000′s of photographs so I could choose some of my favorites, I discovered a common theme that I am sure a psychologist would have a blast picking apart. I seem to have some kind of thing with doors, windows, tunnels, bridges… anything that seems to lead to something else. I’m serious, take a look.
Doors – Yes, I love doors. I have no idea why. Especially the doors that look really old, like they have withstood the test of time and obviously have amazing things on the other side. I guess my reasoning behind this, is that the story is left unwritten until I create the “story of the door” – Who’s on the other side? What’s on the other side? It seems to be all about what’s on the other side for me. I don’t know.
Alleys - It’s the darkness, the confined space. The beauty of wondering where it takes you. I’m not sure. I have almost 100 photos of different alleys. How weird is that?
Bridges – I love bridges and this was the hardest folder to choose favorites out of, because essentially any bridge seems to inspire. I also really love dilapidated bridges – or those that are naturally made.
Paths and Walkways – I guess because its one of those “Where does it lead?” kind of things.
Spiral Staircases – I am sure there is some psychological dissection that could go on here alone – I love spiral staircases. These photographs don’t even begin to show the ridiculous amount of photographs I have of staircases – mostly spiral. But some really amazing outdoor and antique staircases.
Single Trees – I have 100′s of photographs I have taken myself when we’ve been all over the country, showing a single tree – standing alone in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know why I love them, but I really do.
Lastly, abandoned houses. Why do I love them? Because there is a hidden story behind why they are abandoned and I dream of discovering what that is. Sometimes when I am looking for something to write, I use one of these photos to write the story of the now dilapidated state of the home. I’m always on the lookout while driving around for houses that appear to be abandoned or just very run down. There is one in particular that one of these days I will stop and get that picture I’ve wanted for years.
And that my friends, is it. So show me your inspiration. I love looking at what others glean inspiration from, so give it to me. Leave me a comment or link to it. 
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March 30, 2010
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Jane Steen said:
Well, darn. I was just about–JUST about–like after I finished going through my blog reader–to write a post on using images as inspiration. I think I’ll write it anyway, and give you a shoutout.
I love collecting images. I mostly pinch them from the internet (some of yours will be added) and throw them into Evernote, because then I have the original link right there just in case I ever have to check out usage restrictions. But mostly I use them for myself, so I don’t need to think about rights.
I love to make mood boards. I pull together images that have something in common, for example I just did one called Dangerous Forest that suggests to me the lurking dangers of life (and fits in with my WIP). Then I arrange them all in any handy program that lets me handle images (changes with the times) and usually save a PDF version.
I love ruins, art (sometimes sacred, often mythology), statues, archways with vistas beyond… it varies based on my mood. I keep folders of pix for the WIP and refer to them often.
Wow, I just realized I wrote “I love” at the beginning of the last three paragraphs. That’s very suggestive. I’m obviously a very visual person too! Thanks for a great post.
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March 30, 2010
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Brittany said:
I also love alleys and abandoned houses. Those pictures are so beautiful! I don’t have a link to pictures but on my blog I do a Picture of the Week thing, which has some of the pictures I use for inspiration.
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April 25, 2010
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JulesCarey said:
These are beautiful! I have all kinds of new ideas from looking at them. Thanks for sharing.
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April 28, 2010
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Emotional writing said:
What stunning photographs. I’m very impressed – very artistic. Very inspiring.
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May 1, 2010
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Stina Lindenblatt said:
These are gorgeous photos. I especially love the door ones.
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October 26, 2010
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Sue said:
Here I was, on my 1/2 term break, looking for inspirational pictures to get my class writing when we get back to school.
Your pictures are great and I’d love to use some as starting points for description & story writing. Many thanks for sharing
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April 18, 2011
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Alexandra said:
Hello, I am a college student and I feel that the endless need to write college essay assignments somewhat make me lost sight of why I chose Literature in the first place. And your blog is truly inspirational and I feel the vibes of writing again.
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May 4, 2011
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Anita said:
Hello,
The photographs are wonderful, especially the lonely trees.I would love to use some of those for writing.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful imaginary photographs.
Your blog is inspirational too especially for starters like me.