If you're a photographer, there's nothing quite like trying something new to spark your creativity. Whether it's a new technique, a different style, or a new subject, stepping out of your comfort zone can force you to see things in a whole new way.

That's exactly what I did recently when I went on a photowalk at the Duncan Farmers Market. I had been wanting to try my hand at street photography for a while, and I figured the market would be the perfect place to do it. There's always a lot going on, and the mix of people, colors, and textures would make for some great photo opportunities. 

To really immerse myself in the experience, I set my Canon 5D Mark III to monochrome mode - that took me a bit to figure out on the spot (why am I so unorganized!). Noting I don't use Monochrome much I admit I love the classic, timeless look of black and white photos, and I wanted to see how the market would look without the distraction of color. To make it even more challenging the lighting was - well harsh! 

Anyhow,  although I set this lofty goal I still had loads of anxiety, but one thing that made the experience better was going with a group. I'm a member of the Lake Cowichan Photography Group, and several of us decided to go to the market together.  ( thanks gang!). It was great to have a group of like-minded people to bounce ideas off of, and to see how everyone else was approaching the challenge, what gear people brought and why... so much fun.