Let’s Get Creative Pt. 1
Over the next few weeks, I would like to go over some tips and tricks that help me get creative. Few things in photography annoy me as much as getting stuck in a rut while trying to take good images. Not every image will be “the one”, but every image will help you get better and closer to “the one”. The reason for contact sheets is to show the set up and delivery of the shot you want. Sometimes, getting to that shot can be frustrating to say the least when you are running out of ideas to be creative. I know there has been more than one time when I have a camera in my hand, and I am lost to take a picture. I can be in front of a beautiful beach or walking down a nature trail and feel like I don’t have anything to take an image of. This is where I need to kick in that little bit of creativity in my brain and make sure I break out of that rut. From B&H rep David Flores and his list of “13 Creative Exercises for Photography”, I will discuss a few here that help me get the creativity to flow.
One of the first exercises I use to get creative is called the “Two Dozen”. In this exercise, I stand with my feet firmly planted. Without moving my feet, I then take 24 images in that exact spot. Those images can be up or down, left or right. The main thing is not to walk or move your feet at all. This exercise will test you at first. You might take a dozen images and then feel like you have no more shots to take. Heck, you might get six images or less and then feel like you have nothing else to shoot. Push yourself, I promise it will be worth it. Try to take an image of something close up or macro. Try to take an image at multiple angles. Just don’t move your feet. You can do this exercise with any camera you have. You can use a mirrorless, a point and shoot, a DSLR, and even your phone. Anything you can hold in your hand that will take an image, you can use. Get creative, make sure each photo is unique. Try adjusting the exposure. Set the aperture at different sizes. Anything you can do to make sure that each image is different, do it. I know taking 24 images while standing in the same spot sounds like a lot, but trust me it will pay off in every aspect of your photography. So next time you are out anywhere, pull out your phone or regular camera, find a spot, stand still and make yourself take a solid 24 images without moving your feet. Remember, do not take any repeat shots. They all must be different while in a fixed position.
The next exercise I go to is called “Ten of One”. In this exercise you will take ten unique or abstract images of the same item. Make sure your subject is a small item. The smaller that subject is, the more of a challenge you will have. Try to use items such as a water bottle or a fire hydrant. Don’t make your subject something like a city scape or large building. Again, try something like close up or macro to get creative while photographing your subject. Make your own rules when doing this exercise. That means you can take an image of your subject from a few feet away to a few inches away. Try putting your subject on another object and take shots from different angles. Remember, you are not being graded on this, you are just being creative!
One of my favorite exercises on the list is called “Four Corners”. This exercise will make you a composition machine! For this exercise you will choose one subject and place it in each corner, or fourth, of the frame for four different images. Taking images of larger objects such as buildings or cars works ideal for this, although anything will suffice. If you can get to the other side of the object, shoot the same “four corners” images like you did on the opposite side. Find a variety of subjects to shoot and see how different each picture will be. Bridges, monuments, playgrounds, all make great subjects too.
These are just three exercises to get you rolling on breaking up the monotony of shooting the same thing or helping you get out of the creative rut. I cannot stress enough to have fun with these. They are simple yet effective personal assignments that you can do that are sure to produce some quality images. Don’t ever get discouraged. Just keep shooting and all of a sudden you will have a memory card full of quality images. You can do these from anywhere you are such as your backyard, mountains, beach or city. Go out, stay safe, and have fun. Come back next week for a few more tips and exercises to keep being creative.
