The creative struggle is real. I can’t remember when I first heard this phrase, but it always stuck with me. Whether a writer, painter or photographer, we all get in a rut now & then.
My dad was a journalist, and as I child, I vividly remember him sitting at his typewriter pecking away. His writing routine was pretty simple… show up… sit down… fold arms… stare at paper… think… wait for inspiration… start typing.
Once the topic sentence was formulated in his head, everything else fell into place. Fingers started moving, clunky keyboard sounds of yesteryear resonated from the basement and the ringing of the manual carriage return would signal progress.
It never seemed to fail him.
However, on the rare occasion, he’d have to walk away and claim ‘mental constipation’.
It wasn’t a defeatist attitude; rather, an acceptance of more time being needed for a story to develop.
Photographers aren’t any different… we need a continuous stream of inspiration and vision to engage the creative fight. As many of you know, I enjoy shooting sports and action oriented venues. This subject removes some of the creative challenge(s) as the event, location and time are all predetermined. Sure, there are always some creative liberties in play, but I think you’re picking up what I’m laying down(?).
With winter now upon us in New York, I think a few ideas may be in order for this time of year. Perhaps you find yourself in a creative funk or simply in need of a few prompts to get you reaching for your camera bag.
Let’s get started… here are 25 ideas for more creative photos.
1. Frame-within-a-Frame - Anything from a window to a picture of a picture will frame your subject.
2. Shoot with a Holga Camera - Bigger isn’t better… better is better. This plastic camera ($35) makes you focus on the basics while shooting print film.
3. Faceless Portraits - I always found this idea fascinating.
4. Out-of-Focus - With all the focus on megapixels and sharper lenses these days, break the rules!
5. Double Exposures - In the old days, you could actually shoot two images on one piece of film. Today, there are lots of options for double (or multiple) exposures. Combing images is another choice as well.
6. Find a new photo app for your mobile photography and experiment… (i.e. SuperimposeX, Diana, Roll World and Mextures to name a few).
7. Perspective - Look up or down on your subject for a different presentation.
8. Focus on Lines - The more the better, some can be leading lines that drag you through the image.
9. Negative Space - Sometimes nothing around your subject enhances the positive space.
10. One - A tree, person, rock, etc. Keep it simple.
11. Shadows - Light and dark (hence contrast) can be a magical combination.
12. Self Portrait - Go old school and set up a tripod, use your timer and capture an image of yourself.
13. Color - The More the better!
14. Coffee - One of the simple pleasures in life!
15. Everybody jump! - Energy is contagious… and a low angle will enhance the effect.
16. Silhouette
17. Reflections
18. Summer Vibes
19. White Balance - Change your cameras white balance for a different look. Tungsten will look icy blue.
20. Motion - Panning is one of the greatest inventions ever… it’s motion personified.
21. Depth of Field - Whether everything is in focus or not, have intent when you shoot the image.
22. Scale - A picture can often lose its effect without scale. Include identifiable objects for perspective.
23. Wisdom
24. Juxtaposition - When old meets new.
25. Read a new book on a photographic topic outside your comfort zone. There are plenty of great photographers out there with new books in 2020… Rick Sammon, Bryan Peterson and David Duchemin to name a few.
Hopefully, a few of these ideas will prove useful in 2021.