Maintaining your creativity as a photographer
As photographers it is pretty much in our job description to produce creative and inspiring work. However, there’s always a point in time when creativity is low—writers call it ‘writer’s block’.
So how do we combat this unwelcome phenomenon? Luckily there are a few tips to help you keep your work fresh and creative!
- Surround yourself with creativity
You may or may not know that you’re not the only artist out there. In fact, the Internet is home to millions of artists. Spend an hour or two browsing the web to find all sorts of wonderful photography to draw inspiration from.
- Art provides infinite inspiration
Photography isn’t the only thing you will find inspiring. Paintings, architecture, and even sculptures can have a similar effect. Don’t just limit yourself to visual work for finding creativity. Music and writing are just as inspiring; in fact music may be the most helpful tool I turn to when looking for inspiration. Expanding your knowledge is key to increasing creativity.
- Lose yourself
Not literally, but metaphorically. Take a step back from your work schedule and responsibilities and go for a nature walk. From the sights to the sounds, there’s creativity all around. You’ll find that the world itself is an inspiring place.
- Learn something new
Sometimes the creativity is in us, we just need the right key to unlock it. You’ve always seen those incredible HDRs and panoramic images but thought it was too tricky to try out. Maybe that’s just what your creative side needs: a challenge. Learning a new technique will not only challenge you but it might just awaken some hidden potential, and of course, creativity.
- Be a “social” photographer
This should be the easiest step to follow. If you’re reading this article then it is safe to assume you’re pretty handy with the Internet—so use it! There are tons of photo-sharing sites to display and discuss your work. Sites like http://www.500px.com and http://www.flickr.com bring photographers from all over the world together and are the perfect places to talk about photography. Sharing your experiences as well as hearing new ones will expand your knowledge and further your creative spirit.