1. a serviceable subject
2. good light
I use the completely subjective adjective good advisedly. As for serviceable, I would argue that although you generally will want something to stand out as as subject, as a focus for the viewer's attention, and while finding a subject that a viewer might feel is beautiful will improve the prospects of that viewer responding to your finished image as beautiful, in spite of all of that I say that what you (I) as a photographer most want - must have - for success is good, beautiful light on the scene. Almost anything can function as a subject, and the focus can almost become the behavior and quality of the light itself.
This afternoon after a rainfall, I saw what I thought was interesting light developing outside. I ran inside for a camera, knowing from experience that the quality wouldn't last long. What could I find nearby for a subject? Not a lot. A few fallen branches, fallen leaves and clinging drops of water.
The four photos here are a kind of progression from "ok, that gets some color and depth from the slant of light and reflection off the moisture" through "ooh, that makes a nice design from this exact angle, and look at the texture in the leaf!" to finally feeling I'd caught a little of the magic I was seeing in the light. The last photo is just leaves, water and light, nothing inherently prettier than the ingredients of the first three, but I think there is a sense of fantasy in it. I enjoyed my minutes outside amid the play of light, and now I can relive some of the joy. Perhaps you can catch some of it too. I hope so.
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