Something I learned only in the last couple of years that I wish I learned when I first started taking photography is that literally everything is beautiful. No, not the figurative version of literally, I man the literal version of literally.
The area you’re in is boring? The scenery is bland? Nothing interesting ever happens? Then make it all interesting. Photographers are not just people who are passively capturing what already exists. We are photographing subjects, yes, but if a subject is boring, look at it from a different perspective. A different angle, different composition, different location(if possible), different lighting, and different aperture settings.
Even though life gets busy, I take my camera everywhere, and while I do live in a city I consider very interesting, I still find great photos in mundane areas, it just takes more time sometimes. A couple of weeks ago, I was in a relatively boring park, and the entire park is covered in mostly clover and small weeds instead of grass. There was a bee absolutely going to town on this tiny weed, so I spent about ten minutes with that bee and a macro lens, and I got some of my favorite macro images I’ve ever gotten.
I absolutely enjoyed learning about your grandfather's work and his influence in your creative life.
What an inspiration, and a legacy.
As far as the giveaway goes, I want to put an entry in!
I keep creativity alive by practicing it everyday. No matter what happens, I always carry a camera with me and I take a photo daily. I also journal in the mornings for 5 minutes. Whatever pops up in my head, gets written down. I emerge with so much clarity!
I love the story on your family heritage. I am heading out today with my 93 year old mother (and my kit) to the prairie she grew up on, the original homes are still there so it will be a day of remembrance and documentation for future generations. My grandfather worked the land, an artist in his own way, the stories I hear of how they lived and improvised to deal with situations that we now take for granted is humbling. Regarding creativity, since re-discovering photography last year, I find myself always looking with intention wherever I go; work, a stroll, a road trip... and like my colleagues here, have a camera, even if it's my phone, at the ready to capture interesting subject matter. But for the times I cannot take the photo with a camera, I frame my view as if it were for a photograph, and commit it to memory (or make a note as memory at times fails me!). I can then revisit for another time or just hold it as a beautiful moment. I think trying to see everything around you with a different perspective is an act of creativity in itself and lends to action later with a photo or serves as practice for the right moment.
To anwser the question, I must say that its hard to say. Refocusing on other other activities helps, reading, music, writing, sports. Yet I tend to think, that in my case, a personal creative space or ateliér would do the trick. A space you can move your soul to, put the music up and let loose.
Also being creative is not simply obtained, it need attention, hard work and sacrifice to get creative juices running.
I keep my creativity alive by taking breaks. Much like your entry into photography, I love taking creative breaks from one medium by delving into another, whether it’s music, printmaking, Lino-cut, or photography
when life gets in the way, the simple act of going for a walk with a camera can be tremendously helpful in finding inspiration again. I often take my bike to a different part of my city of Amsterdam and start walking, exploring and documenting anything I perceive as beautiful. Lately I've been using a konica t3 with a broken lightmeter, which forces me to pay more attention to the light that's available and be more present with my surroundings.
Creativity is the valve that can relieve the pressure of life when most needed. The therapist from within. When times get tough it might be even tougher to keep your creative work going. But once you get going you just wanna keep squeezing the lemons. Every situation is different which makes you adjust your creative work to what is possible in the moment. These adjustments make your work more personal and reveals your creative signature.
I try to follow as many creative paths as I possible can; when one path gets blocked I hop onto another and hopefully rejoin my original path later on.
I try to schedule dedicated time for photography, if only just some hours during the weekend, and I always keep a camera with me, so while going to and from work, I drive different ways, then i use to, to see new and other things to photograph.
I have been thinking about setting photography challenges for myself, to experiment and try new things.
As most people I also have phases of ups and downs in my creative practice. (wich by the way is totally fine, I would like to add) Usually in these phases I aim to reflect about past work and redirect to new, unknown or unexplored parts of my creative work. In general I believe these are just as important parts of the creative journey as the rest.
I have at least three ongoing, open-ended projects at all times. The simplest is photographing visual details wherever I happen to be. The most complex involves recruiting people (often strangers) to pose with whatever prop I am building a series around.
I work across diverse mediums and crafts, that helps a lot with keeping my creativity alive. Once I feel uninspired fully, I like to go on walks, read or watch films.
In answer to the giveaway question, I keep my creativity alive by rigidly scheduling blocks of time when I need them to do my own work. I know it's bad, but I get super cranky when outside forces start to effect my ability to create what I want to create. I have a real problem with sacrificing anything to follow through on my commitments and anytime I promise too much it's a disaster. I have learned that I need to take care to schedule my own work and keep that time sacred. But sometimes I slip. Luckily, my people know me and generally give me time to do the work I need to do.
I really appreciated this post. My Dad was a photographer and ceramicist. None of my grandparents worked in creative fields, they were all children of immigrants and were expected to follow more tradition career paths. But my immigrant grandparents and great-grandparents included a fine tailor, an itinerant cathedral painter, an accordian player, and a watercolorist.
My freedom to explore my creative drives echoes what you wrote. With my father, art was our games and cameras were our toys. I have sort of settled back into photography but took a lot of journeys into painting, sewing, and printmaking on my way here.
I think it was Nick Offerman (the actor and woodworker) who said you should try to have your “craft” ready to work on whenever you have the chance. He was talking about having a dedicated workspace that you don’t have to set up/tear down each time you get into it, but I think the concept applies to most creative pursuits in some way: lower the barrier to get started and you’ll be more likely to get back into it each day. For me and photography, this means having my camera charged, out on a nearby shelf, and ready to shoot. All I have to do is pick it up and maybe walk outside if the mood strikes me!
Wesley, wow! A truly inspirational story.
Something I learned only in the last couple of years that I wish I learned when I first started taking photography is that literally everything is beautiful. No, not the figurative version of literally, I man the literal version of literally.
The area you’re in is boring? The scenery is bland? Nothing interesting ever happens? Then make it all interesting. Photographers are not just people who are passively capturing what already exists. We are photographing subjects, yes, but if a subject is boring, look at it from a different perspective. A different angle, different composition, different location(if possible), different lighting, and different aperture settings.
Even though life gets busy, I take my camera everywhere, and while I do live in a city I consider very interesting, I still find great photos in mundane areas, it just takes more time sometimes. A couple of weeks ago, I was in a relatively boring park, and the entire park is covered in mostly clover and small weeds instead of grass. There was a bee absolutely going to town on this tiny weed, so I spent about ten minutes with that bee and a macro lens, and I got some of my favorite macro images I’ve ever gotten.
Thanks for sharing Mesut! And totally agree, thats basically the origin of my book NOTICE
I absolutely enjoyed learning about your grandfather's work and his influence in your creative life.
What an inspiration, and a legacy.
As far as the giveaway goes, I want to put an entry in!
I keep creativity alive by practicing it everyday. No matter what happens, I always carry a camera with me and I take a photo daily. I also journal in the mornings for 5 minutes. Whatever pops up in my head, gets written down. I emerge with so much clarity!
Love the consistency! Thanks for sharing Ash!
I love the story on your family heritage. I am heading out today with my 93 year old mother (and my kit) to the prairie she grew up on, the original homes are still there so it will be a day of remembrance and documentation for future generations. My grandfather worked the land, an artist in his own way, the stories I hear of how they lived and improvised to deal with situations that we now take for granted is humbling. Regarding creativity, since re-discovering photography last year, I find myself always looking with intention wherever I go; work, a stroll, a road trip... and like my colleagues here, have a camera, even if it's my phone, at the ready to capture interesting subject matter. But for the times I cannot take the photo with a camera, I frame my view as if it were for a photograph, and commit it to memory (or make a note as memory at times fails me!). I can then revisit for another time or just hold it as a beautiful moment. I think trying to see everything around you with a different perspective is an act of creativity in itself and lends to action later with a photo or serves as practice for the right moment.
absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing paul, cant wait to see the photos
First of all, lovely letter Wesley.
To anwser the question, I must say that its hard to say. Refocusing on other other activities helps, reading, music, writing, sports. Yet I tend to think, that in my case, a personal creative space or ateliér would do the trick. A space you can move your soul to, put the music up and let loose.
Also being creative is not simply obtained, it need attention, hard work and sacrifice to get creative juices running.
getting a personal atelier is a big step financially, perhaps you can start with a nook in your home and work from there
I keep my creativity alive by taking breaks. Much like your entry into photography, I love taking creative breaks from one medium by delving into another, whether it’s music, printmaking, Lino-cut, or photography
taking breaks is SO KEY, and not easy to do
when life gets in the way, the simple act of going for a walk with a camera can be tremendously helpful in finding inspiration again. I often take my bike to a different part of my city of Amsterdam and start walking, exploring and documenting anything I perceive as beautiful. Lately I've been using a konica t3 with a broken lightmeter, which forces me to pay more attention to the light that's available and be more present with my surroundings.
yes! movement!
Creativity is the valve that can relieve the pressure of life when most needed. The therapist from within. When times get tough it might be even tougher to keep your creative work going. But once you get going you just wanna keep squeezing the lemons. Every situation is different which makes you adjust your creative work to what is possible in the moment. These adjustments make your work more personal and reveals your creative signature.
"The therapist from within" love that!
I go somewhere new so I can see with kid’s eyes. Chances are I need a new perspective, and a new place will give me that.
thanks for sharing doug!
Thank YOU for sharing your story!
I try to follow as many creative paths as I possible can; when one path gets blocked I hop onto another and hopefully rejoin my original path later on.
one door opens... thanks for sharing!
I try to schedule dedicated time for photography, if only just some hours during the weekend, and I always keep a camera with me, so while going to and from work, I drive different ways, then i use to, to see new and other things to photograph.
I have been thinking about setting photography challenges for myself, to experiment and try new things.
ensuring some time put in, love that! thanks Daniel!
As most people I also have phases of ups and downs in my creative practice. (wich by the way is totally fine, I would like to add) Usually in these phases I aim to reflect about past work and redirect to new, unknown or unexplored parts of my creative work. In general I believe these are just as important parts of the creative journey as the rest.
Congrats Enno! You're the winner of this week's giveaway! Check your email for more details ;)
absolutely agreed!
I have at least three ongoing, open-ended projects at all times. The simplest is photographing visual details wherever I happen to be. The most complex involves recruiting people (often strangers) to pose with whatever prop I am building a series around.
flexibility and variety! love that
Limitations! If I lack specific goals or inspiration I try to create with less. Just one camera, one lens, one town, whatever.
I'm a huge fan of limitations in that same way myself, thanks for sharing andrew!
I work across diverse mediums and crafts, that helps a lot with keeping my creativity alive. Once I feel uninspired fully, I like to go on walks, read or watch films.
yes to walks! :) thanks for sharing Neema!
In answer to the giveaway question, I keep my creativity alive by rigidly scheduling blocks of time when I need them to do my own work. I know it's bad, but I get super cranky when outside forces start to effect my ability to create what I want to create. I have a real problem with sacrificing anything to follow through on my commitments and anytime I promise too much it's a disaster. I have learned that I need to take care to schedule my own work and keep that time sacred. But sometimes I slip. Luckily, my people know me and generally give me time to do the work I need to do.
I really appreciated this post. My Dad was a photographer and ceramicist. None of my grandparents worked in creative fields, they were all children of immigrants and were expected to follow more tradition career paths. But my immigrant grandparents and great-grandparents included a fine tailor, an itinerant cathedral painter, an accordian player, and a watercolorist.
My freedom to explore my creative drives echoes what you wrote. With my father, art was our games and cameras were our toys. I have sort of settled back into photography but took a lot of journeys into painting, sewing, and printmaking on my way here.
Thanks so much for sharing Angel! Loved reading about your family as well, deep well!
I think it was Nick Offerman (the actor and woodworker) who said you should try to have your “craft” ready to work on whenever you have the chance. He was talking about having a dedicated workspace that you don’t have to set up/tear down each time you get into it, but I think the concept applies to most creative pursuits in some way: lower the barrier to get started and you’ll be more likely to get back into it each day. For me and photography, this means having my camera charged, out on a nearby shelf, and ready to shoot. All I have to do is pick it up and maybe walk outside if the mood strikes me!
yes yes yes!