Week 10: 6 Photos

The purpose of this exercise is to find the deeper meaning in ordinary objects. Start by taking photos of objects from around your house or neighborhood, and then describe them in simple words. As we make multiple passes through the objects each day we will go deeper into a reflective and metaphorical point of view. Look for symbolism, how the deeper qualities of the object show up in your own life. Then we will write a verse for each photo. They can be strung into a single song, or be starting points for new ones.

Day 1

  1. Take 6 photos from around the house.
  2. Zero in on one small part of each photo by cropping it down.

Example:


Day 2

Make quick passes through all the objects without dwelling on any of them for too long. On the early passes, look at the photo through a literal lense. On later passes, let the symbolism, metaphor, and allegory bubble up. Resist the urge to jump straight to the metaphorical. 

  • 1st pass: write down the literal title for each object: What is this? 
  • 2nd pass: Describe what it does, like you are talking to a child.

Example:

1st pass: Sustain Pedal.

2nd pass: It makes notes last longer.

Do this exercise for all six photos.

Day 3

3rd pass: In the previous day your descriptions were very literal. Now, allow yourself to question your assumptions about it. One way to do this is to write the word "but" after your explanation. Another way is to ask yourself, what happens if it's misused? Allow yourself to wonder. How does this object make you feel? Try to maintain the simplicity of language you would use with a child, but let yourself make deeper connections. How do these qualities show up in your own life?

Example:

  1. Food Disposal

  2. It grinds up the stuff we don’t want

  3. It seems wasteful though, I wonder if the birds and plants could use our scraps?

Do this for all six photos. Resist the urge to over-explain or give context.

Day 4

4th pass. Do one more pass through each object at the deeper level. As you go through the objects, what do you discover in yourself that has commonality with the object, or your reflections about the object?

Example:

  1. Backpack

  2. It helps me keep the things I need close by without having to hold everything in my hands.

  3. But sometimes I think I need things that I don’t, and then I end up carrying around all this weight. It wears me out. Sometimes it would be easier to only carry things that I needed in my hands. I mean do birds have backpacks? I guess kangaroos have pouches, but that’s for their own creations... Eventually their own creations hop on out of there and have a life of their own. I wonder if I am holding on too long to my own songs. Like a kangaroo with pubic hair and a mustache still hanging out in his mamma’s pouch…

  4. I wonder what it would be like to go for a walk without my phone. Maybe I could find a small rock somewhere out there to remind me of my adventure…

Day 5

Pick one of the objects and write a lyric for it.

  1. Pick a word, either the name of the item, or some other word in your reflection and use the Poor-man's rhyming method to come up with some rhymes.
  2. When writing your lyric, I suggest using XAXA rhyme scheme to keep it low pressure.
  3. This is optional, but if you are up for it, add a melody and chords.

Example:

  1. Capo
  2. It helps me play the same song in different keys
  3. But it also makes me think I’m better than I am.
  4. I spend a lot of time comparing myself to a version of myself that I wish I was. Why can’t I just be happy with who I am now?
  5. keys: bees, seas, freeze, grease, knees, peas, tease, wheeze, leave

X Blue capo Blue capo

A Why are you so hard to leave?

X Blue capo Blue capo

A You keep me in the same damn key

Day 6

Pick one of the objects and write a lyric for it.

  1. Pick a word, either the name of the item, or some other word in your reflection and use the Poor-man's rhyming method to come up with some rhymes.
  2. When writing your lyric, I suggest using XAXA rhyme scheme to keep it low pressure.
  3. This is optional, but if you are up for it, add a melody and chords.

Example:

  1. Power supply
  2. It makes electricity safe to use.
  3. But when they break everything I am used to disappears.
  4. The screen shuts off and I start to panic. I can’t access all my memories anymore.
  5. panic: frantic, granite, hammock, manic, 

X I lost my computer power supply

A I don’t think I’ll make it to the end

X This episode is only halfway through

A My battery indicator is turning red

Day 7

Pick one of the objects and write a lyric for it.

  1. Pick a word, either the name of the item, or some other word in your reflection and use the Poor-man's rhyming method to come up with some rhymes.
  2. When writing your lyric, I suggest using XAXA rhyme scheme to keep it low pressure.
  3. This is optional, but if you are up for it, add a melody and chords.

Example:

  1. Clock
  2. It tells me if I’m late
  3. It stresses me out, but it also helps me stay focused so I can do the things I love and it doesn’t all just turn into binge-watching reruns from the late 90s.
  4. I can’t save myself from myself. I need something from outside to keep me awake.
  5. awake: break, quake, drake, flake, grape, hate, shake, lake, make, nape, rake, stake, take, wake,

I had a hard time coming up with a verse using "awake," but what came to mind was, the line, “I love to watch you sleep," so I used that .

X Hey there snuggle bug
A I love to watch you sleep
X Your eyelids sliver like crescent moons
A As you sail the murky deep
 

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Questions and Feedback

Is there any part of the lesson that could be more clear? What would make your experience better? Are there any benefits to this exercise that I am missing? Please leave feedback in the comments below. For more immediate assistance shoot me an email at rigel@100daysofsongwriting.com

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