Are you in a funk? Maybe a bit in the doldrums after attending the Icons International Competition two weeks ago? Yes, after looking at so many inspirational images it can be hard to even pick up your camera, can’t it?
Do not feel like the Lone Ranger! You are definitely not alone! As creators we can walk away from events like that one, and others, wondering why we even started with Photography in the first place. What were we thinking?
Personally I was speaking with couple of Photographers recently that went out shooting together. One of those Photographers took his camera and his tripod out walking around all day and never took a shot! His reasoning was that he saw nothing to capture that would sell.
That statement hit me right between the eyes! I’ve done that myself! However I woke up from the nightmare. Have you forgot how it makes you feel to capture something awesome that only you might like? I see Photographers all the time so wrapped up in technical feldercarb, they could be blind to creativity.
Or even worse… blind to what took them into Photography in the first place. For most of us that was that feeling we got when we were actually out composing a Photograph with nothing else going on in the backs of our minds! Remember those feelings? I hope you still have them!
When you look at awesome imagery do you wonder what camera took the shot?
As I was watching the Icons International judging, not one time did my mind wander down the road of what camera, or what lens, or even what lighting was used to create the image? Many times my mind wandered down the road of “what was the maker thinking!?!” Where did they come up with the creativity to dream up that image?!?
Oxford defines Creativity as “the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. I checked out some other definitions as well. I was surprised at their range… However the one that really grabbed me was from someone who was not an artist at all… “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought” ~Albert Einstein.
Tip #1. Compose Images Not To See The Result, But To Enjoy The Process!
It’s so important to remember how it feels to capture the image in your mind. Like my caption states, the image above was captured on a horrific day. I would not say the dancer in this image was having much fun, nor did she have any idea what I was doing, or how she looked. Dancers are the pickiest subjects you can shoot. They always want perfection!
Even though it was a tough day… I still enjoyed the light. I also embraced how hard it was to get my ideas across to the dancer when she could not even hear me. I was out there… It took some effort to hike to the location… I was going to make sure that something good came of it! The dancer really liked the fine art print I presented her below. Remember one of my mantras… “crop out the crap”… there are many ways to “crop” an image.
Tip #2. Start a project!
Personally I just learned this one! After many more years than I care to count as a Professional Photographer, I never really had a “project.” It’s simply something I never thought of. My assistant, HM Shelton, has one. She looks for faces in the rocks. When we are shooting together I can’t help but see them now myself.
It’s surprising to me how many faces I see now, and also the fact that I’ve never really had a “project.” I have another Photographer friend that shoots benches. It’s also surprising how many of those I see now as well. These are their projects though. I’ve still not chosen a “project.”
The Image below is by HM Shelton, titled “Cigar Man.” What will your project be? What will my project be?
Tip #3. Do Something Completely Different
Think of things that you normally like to Photograph. Now think of something that is completely out of your wheelhouse. Then go Photograph that! Yes, I know this can be very scary and intimidating. Do it anyway!
Maybe you really enjoy Photographing landscapes. It’s ok to Photograph the odd person in them when they happen to be there, or for scale… but to walk up and actually ask someone if you could take their portrait might just terrify you.
You should do this! Not only do it, but challenge yourself to be good at it. Landscapes are fun, I enjoy them myself as well. But to capture an outstanding portrait of someone? That’s a huge challenge. My highest compliment ever is when someone I’ve photographed looks at the image I composed of them and says “Wow! You saw that in me?!”
Tip #4. Get Critiqued
As creatives to have our work critiqued by someone can be very difficult. If you would really like to improve your work and your motivation this is one major place to start. Do not have thin skin here either! Yes I understand the opinions of others can be very subjective. However! When you compose your image, what do you wish us to see? Are we seeing it?
I do not mean that you should be looking for “likes” on social media either. Those are simply pats on the back without substance. I mean enter difficult Photography contests, where the judges have some expertise.
A photo contest that asks you to email all of your friends to vote on your image, does not count either! That’s a popularity contest, not a place for improvement in your work. This type of contest does improve the traffic to the voting website though, which is exactly what they wanted!
The Icon International Photography Awards is a great place to enter your work! This contest holds the highest standards for Photographic entries, allows zero AI; you must also submit your raw file, and is judged by some of the most world renown Photographers on the planet.
It is incredibly difficult to score above 80 (silver) in this competition. A score of 79 or lower is considered “standard work” for any professional Photographer.
The composition above is just one of the images I’ve received a silver award on. I’m ecstatic that Jerry & Melissa Ghionis are now completely in charge of the Icon International Photography Awards. I believe the next entries are allowed this coming August. Check out the website by clicking the link below…
Tip #5. Print Your Photography!
This tip is huge! In todays digital world you would be surprised at what “defects” in your Photography can be hidden. Also you have zero control over what the person might be viewing your image with! It could be a very old, non calibrated computer monitor.
Printing your Photography also offers a lot of other pleasures. Like actually holding in your hand a completed work of art that YOU created! Printing your Photography also can show you things you might have missed.
Your Photography will improve exponentially with printing! I mean rapidly! Another benefit is you will slow down and actually compose an image… You will become more in tune with every facet of your composition.
Also your editing skills will change. Once you get back to your digital darkroom you will re-live the entire experience of your creation. You will become a bit more driven to actually create images for your walls and the walls of others.
Physical wall space in your home or office, or the walls of others, is far more precious than the unlimited “walls” of Facebook. On the “walls” of social networking sites you become digital dust in seconds… On Physical walls? Your composition lives on for generations!
When I speak of printing your Photography I do not mean Wally World, or the least expensive location you can find. I mean for you to print your work with a fine art printer that has more than two choices for which paper they will print your image on. Also a fine art print lab is using a complete color managed environment with exacting standards.
If you were at the Icon International Judging event live, you would have heard the judges mention paper choice many times. Recently I judged a local Photography contest and in my comments on a few of the images I mentioned a different option for paper choice to improve the image.
I received more than one high eyebrow, for even making the suggestion from the other Judges on the panel. This element did not appear to be in their wheelhouse. I was the only judge that mentioned it. Every image does not look good on only two types of paper, luster or glossy.
Staying Motivated With Your Photography Means Commitment
Staying inspired with your Photography also means your art is constantly on your mind. How you look at the world around you, can and should change immediately. No longer will you be so “worried” about the latest sensationalistic news headline… You will notice the sunrises, the sunsets, the clouds, the light, the textures… and so much more.
Your outlook on life will also improve. No longer will you be chafing at the bit to hear sensationalistic headlines… and the stories that follow. So much negativity! You can not hang out with negative people, or negative environments, and expect a positive result!
Personally the only “news” I pay attention to now a days is the weather. What will my Photographic conditions be tomorrow, or next week where I’ll be shooting? How will I prepare for those conditions? The weather and how the heat affects my cameras and lenses is a key reason for me being in points North for the Summer months.
I hope these tips assisted you!
A Bonus Tip!
Hanging out with other like minded Photographers can really help with your motivation! Just think of all those creative minds melding in one location? There is an opportunity for you to do just that in a couple of weeks! On April 3rd & 4th and also April 4th & 5th we are getting together for a PhotoSafari to do some light painting! Click the link below for more information!
Thanks for being here!
