When Pink Floyd asked for an album cover featuring “the most meaningless thing imaginable,” Storm Thorgerson gave them a cow. No band name, no title. Just a blank stare from a black & white Friesian in a field. The record label hated it. But by going against the grain, that simple, “boring” image became iconic.
Why Start with a Cow?
That 1970 Atom Heart Mother cover wasn’t designed to be memorable. It was supposed to mean nothing at all. Yet it did the opposite. Aubrey “Po” Powell, Thorgerson’s partner in Hipgnosis, knew they’d created something special the moment he saw it blown up on a billboard along The Sunset Strip. It stood out not because it tried to but because it refused to follow the rules.
This story perfectly illustrates the power of going against the grain, rejecting expectations to create something unique and groundbreaking. It’s a lesson not just for album artwork but for anyone who wants to make an impact by embracing the ordinary in unexpected ways.
Key Points: Go Against the Grain with Boring Photography
- Moving away from the norm is often what makes work stand out.
- “Boring” photography draws power from its sincerity and subtlety.
- Just because we overlook something doesn’t mean it lacks value.
- In an age of excess, practising restraint can be radical.
- Iconic images sometimes begin with a shrug and a cow.
The Beauty of Going Against the Grain
In photography, we often chase after spectacles—sunsets, skylines, dramatic light, and the decisive moment. However, there’s a subtle rebellion in going against the grain by photographing what we usually dismiss as “boring.” For example, dead flowers left at a grave, a boy in a Jaws t-shirt eating a hot dog, or a discarded light bulb.
These everyday, overlooked scenes aren’t trying to impress you. But they invite you to notice. And in a world flooded with overstimulation, that imagery can be powerful.
Against the Backdrop of Uniformity
Social media pushes us to seek out what’s bold, punchy, and perfectly curated. But as with the cow on Pink Floyd’s 1970 album cover, going against the grain doesn’t mean extravagance. Sometimes, it means an understatement.
In fact, “boring photography” challenges us to slow down and re-engage with what we often overlook. It’s a rebellion against the tyranny of the algorithm, the “like-button”, the “epic shot.”
Why Going Against the Grain Matters
Going against the grain with boring photography means focusing on quiet, everyday subjects. Such as:
- Challenging visual expectations
- Creating space for authenticity
- Reclaiming intimacy from the spectacle
- Asking viewers to participate, not just consume
- Inviting deeper reflection on everyday life
In other words, it’s not meaningless or nothing at all.
Let Them Object
Record executives didn’t get the cow artwork. But audiences did. That’s the pattern. The gatekeepers of taste often miss what’s quietly revolutionary. Consequently, by going against the grain and refusing to perform for attention, “boring” images can shift the conversation entirely.
So, next time you feel the pressure to shoot something dramatic, try pointing your lens at the ordinary. So, next time you feel the pressure to shoot something dramatic, try pointing your lens at the ordinary (e.g., a wall of crushed car parts, an abandoned wheelie bin, or a farm gate). It might be your cow.
Look Again: Go Against the Grain and See Differently
In short, if this idea of “boring” photography speaks to you—good, that’s the point. The ordinary is waiting to be seen with fresh eyes when you go against the grain.
👉 Check out my other posts on boring photography that celebrate the beauty of everyday life. You might never see your kettle, chair, or stairwell the same way again.