By : Nikon School Blog | 18 Jul, 2017 |
All creative people suffer from temporary 'blocks' or lack of fresh ideas, including photographers. This article is about photographer's block and how to overcome it if it strikes you.
Internet
The internet is the most likely source of inspiration or new ideas when you are stuck with a block. Social media platforms, stock photography sites, news images - all can help you with fresh ideas. Once you start working on any of the ideas you come across, you will see how it automatically transforms into your own concept with inputs from your creativity.
Magazines
Popular photography magazines often carry interesting articles on new or lesser known techniques and also feature the work of noted and upcoming photographers. Such articles can provide you new ideas which can end the photographer's block.
Travel
Yes, just grab your camera and go out, anywhere; your city or beyond. When you travel, your mind gets refreshed. You see new things, meet people and with your camera alongside, you can quickly try things you have never tried before. For example, you can try shooting with slow shutter speeds with the camera hand held, or randomly shoot street scenes with the camera held at waist level. You are likely to end up with fresh ideas and worthy images.
New equipment
Often a simple addition to your kit can inspire and propel you to do something with it. Like, you may never have done macros (close up photography), so getting a macro lens can get you started on something totally fresh and fill you with new ideas. You can try other equipment like flashes, remotes, creative filters etc.
Rainy day idea book
Keep a small notebook (or a digital notepad) with you whenever possible and jot down whatever ideas come to your mind. Often they come at bizarre times and places, but still note them down.
No matter how strange the ideas may seem when they come to you, when hit by photographer's block, these ideas can come to your rescue. Just bring out the notebook, and try out the most doable ones.
Take a break
To get rid of photographer's block, try taking a short break from photography. Read books, watch a good movie, hang out with friends, head to the wilderness or get into a new hobby like cooking or gardening or learning a new language. All this can get fresh ideas into your mind that can suddenly transform into the eureka moment for you.
You can pick up your camera at the earliest opportunity when that happens and say goodbye to photographer's block.