So two thousand and seventeen is here and we couldn’t be more excited. Personally as a photographer I find pleasure in the beginning of things. Weeks, months and years always have a sense of exciting freshness that brings inspiration for new ideas. Often it can be challenging to keep those inspirational vibes flowing so I’ve put together a few concepts that many other artists sometimes use to create newfound inspiration.
A daily/weekly Photography Project.
Many new photographers spend countless hours reading articles about the vast world of photography to craft a sense of understanding on how they want their images to look. Others spend time shooting everything around them in their daily lives to improve their understanding of light and composure. Regardless the style or caliber of photog you are or imagine thriving to become, practice will always make perfect. One way to ensure you get the practice is to commit to a 365 day or 52 week challenge. You will need to set your own standards and ideas to ensure it remains a fun rewarding project. Often these projects focus on self-portraits. The reason these are a popular choice is because they provide you with a model to practice that is always available. You will learn postures, lights, expression and even possibly some things about yourself you did not realize. Personally I am much more comfortable behind a camera than in front of ones lens. For those like me I suggest finding others you are comfortable with photographing or focusing your project on a different subject all together.
Another creative idea is to write a list of concepts for your project.
They can be a list of words that you can perceive and create in your own way or possibly just a list of techniques you’d like to attempt.
Now I believe the most important aspect of this entire idea is choosing how you will collect these images. You can create a Tumblr, or share them on your Instagram so your friends and online followers can view and give feedback. If you feel the project is more for personal learning and development you can choose to keep it private for yourself. The end goal is to improve and find yourself in your photography.
Listen to music as you take photos
One of the most interesting experiments I did when first starting out with photography was taking images while listening to my favorite songs. I would often later notice a connection in the images to the lyrics and emotion of the songs I shot to. The most rewarding part was when others picked up on that simply by looking at the images. They carried a feel, in the aesthetic that was apparent enough to raise the image to another level. I suggest giving this technique a shot if you have a creativity block. There is even a neurological phenomenon known as synesthesia that has a similar affect on some. A synesthete can visualize images and connect other elements of sense, like feel, sound, and emotion. You may find that listening to music also elevates your mood and creativity leading you into shots you might not have seen.
Watch TV
This might sound like an odd suggestion to find inspiration for your photography, but as crazy as it sounds you might find some new ideas just by streaming Netflix. Try this idea the next time you are stuck watching commercials during your favorite show. Press the pause button, some advertisers hire incredibly talented videographers to sell their product. Volvo and Levis are two of my personal favorites. Pressing pause during some of those commercials will help you better view the elements that were captured and how they created the appeal for the product. Once you notice this you will see photography used more and more around you, on books, billboards and magazine ads you might have only noticed the text and logos on before. When I was learning to play guitar as a teen, a role model once told me to stop focusing on the lyrics and singers voice in every song, and listen and isolate the guitar. I quickly started to notice improvements when practicing and this can be used in photography.
Look at tons of photos
Join a Facebook group, browse Instagram or even Google around and view other photographer’s work. Seeing Art often usually helps gear the mind towards creating it. There is one huge factor to keep in mind. Never compare your work to anyone else’s, instead compare your newest image to your last. You should inspire yourself and be satisfied by your product. Chasing Instagram fame and pushing yourself to create images that mimic others that you see successful steals the fun and passion you found when you first picked up a camera. I will be writing more on this subject in future blogs on Social Media and the arts.
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
-Theodore Roosevelt
Go Outside
Go outside your comfort level, try new things. Take a long walk with your camera, or even just your phone. Shoot and keep shooting images even if you don’t like your results. Always carry a camera or have your smartphone storage available to hold images. It is very hard in a busy day to squeeze in time to take photos. Don’t feel obligated to shoot your best image every time you touch a camera, just shoot them for your own enjoyment and you will find that over time you have a catalog of images you love and wouldn’t have ever taken had you not kept a camera in your daily life.
Happy New Year, Venture Onward!
BONUS!
Here is a sample list of a 52-week project, feel free to use this list or create your own like it.
