This is my yearly “I’m paying for Adobe Premiere Pro, so I might as well try to use it!” video. No, video work isn’t my primary trade and I certainly have limited starter gear for it but long term I would like to be a bit better at it so here we are.
This video is about things you can do to deal with photography block or when you feel stuck with your photography. But since not everyone wants to watch a 12-minute video here is a summary:
1) Go back to the basics and practices them. It may be boring, but the basics are always worth practicing because you want them to be automatic when do get that rush of inspiration or that creative idea. When you find your photography groove again you want to as much as possible to run smoothly for you and practicing the basics helps ensure that happens. However, practice what you consider the basics for the way you work photography because it will be different for everyone.
2) Review your previous work. If it doesn’t inspire you it will help you figure out a little more about how your creative side works. When you review your work you not only see the photos that everyone else sees, but you also have the advantage of remembering what when into those photos and possibly what inspired their creation. From there you might be able to figure out what sort of things inspire you and work from there.
3) Review the works of other photographers. See what other people are creating. Maybe you need to see what other lighting techniques are out there or new ways to compose a shot but seeing the works of others should put some creative ideas in your head, whether you are aware of them or not.
4) Go look at other arts. Go watch a movie or performance, read a book, or explore music. But when you do this, break it down. Figure out why they work for you or why they don’t. Analyze a scene or a song. Try to figure out what they are doing to get the emotions you are feeling when you watch or listen to them.
5) Write your idea down! After all this, ideas should start coming to you sooner or later. The thing is, you need to be ready and what I mean by that is have some way to record your idea when it comes to you because chances are you will not be near your camera or in a position to use your camera. So be ready to write the idea so you remember it.
So, there you go. Hopefully, I can get this up on all the social media sites, but we will see.