When I first met Susan Roderick one of the first things we talked about was her style of photography which she calls "TCHOTCHKE" photography. She was so enthusiastic about her style and I just kept thinking, "she likes to photograph junk?".

Well guys and gals, I'm here to tell you that you too must go photograph junk. The more I thought of it, and actually went out and did it, the more I realized how important this "junk photography" was for my photography. Even though I don't shoot weddings, I don't shoot events, I don't shoot products...this exercise helped with one of the most important aspects of becoming a better photographer - refinement of your eye.

Let me explain, photography is all about the small details. It's all about seeing interesting items in like Susan says "ordinary things". So this "tschotchke" photography is a great way for you to open your eyes to those small details, to start seeing color and composition in things you would just walk by and say "that's just junk"!

I'm always looking for ways to become more and more creative, and this is definitely one of them!

So get out, and go shoot some junk! Polish your eye, notice the details and become a better photographer by shooting "junk"!

UPDATE: In no way what so ever did we mean that the items photographed at the Pike Place Market are "Junk". We simply wanted to use the term loosely for photographers to understand that it doesn't matter what it is, you can still make it beautiful by the power of photography.

Check out more of Susan's photos on her website!