Creativity for photographers: ways to keep creating during the lockdown

Creativity for photographers

Most photographers consider themselves to be creative people. To me, the process of photographing has become a little bit of second nature, I love the brainstorming looking at ideas about what I want my final product to look like, as well as setting up my scene if I am photographing objects or chasing a moment if I am photographing people, and then the buzz I get when I open the images on my computer and the energy I feel once I have found the gem of an image that I had in my mind. Creativity can sometimes flow freely and other times it can be very shy and it can even feel like it takes a lot of energy and effort to get it out. Whenever I am struggling creatively I feel like my brain is somehow not connecting with my hands and not connecting with the camera. With time, I have found a few ways to keep the motivation up and to find inspiration and challenge myself in familiar environments. Here are some of the things that I like to try every so often to keep my creativity in check, and fill my creative cup.

Personal creative project: One subject infinite ways

This is the way I start all my personal projects: I find a subject or an object and a location and I aim to photograph the same set up in as many ways as I can, this challenges me to think outside the box, to change points of view, and to try layers as well as different lights and shadows. The change in perspective for example helps me to notice little things like the interaction between the texture with the different types of light, and it pushes me to search for fresh ideas.

Change your creative routine

It is unavoidable with the current set up and lockdown routines, this same environment day in day out can make us feel flat some days. Try changing your routine, like waking up earlier to see the sunrise or to have a quiet coffee by yourself in the morning (my favorite thing to do), or maybe consider changing your creative routine: do you edit with mostly earthy presets? maybe try something different like brighter or more neutral presets? Do you always shoot with a 35mm lens? Maybe try to shoot with a Macro lens for a few weeks to change your perspective? Do you always shoot in plain light? push yourself and try harsh light. These simple changes have helped me in the past to find new perspectives and sometimes even new skills!

Time to create in a different way

I am a big believer that creativity brings more creativity. In the past, I have found great peace and energy when trying other creative disciplines. During the lockdown, we made some Kokedama with my girls. This is something that I always thought was way too hard for me to try, until I was game enough to try it with them, and the experience of touching the dirt as well as giving shape to this ball was a great way to feel connected to the earth and to them. I have also tried in the past screen printing and it was also a great experience, next in my list is blowing glass! So don’t be scared to try something new, maybe a drawing class, a watercolour class, pottery or craft. Keep in mind that this other hobby is not for you to be perfect at it, it is just for joy so let go when you create and don’t expect perfection, allow yourself to fail on this one.

Get in touch with nature

This one can be a bit challenging during the lockdown for obvious reasons: we have to stay indoors as much as we can. During this second lockdown I have found myself turning towards indoor plants. Just like everything it started with one or two and then I have found myself mesmerising over new growths and new leaves, and I am now hooked. If you are not that type of person, and you have a backyard, then sit outside with no shoes, think of the grass in between your toes, and this always helps me to feel grounded. In the past before the lockdown I used to start my days rowing in the ocean, and I have now come to the realisation how used we are in my family to be so close to the ocean, feeling the water and the sand in your toes is a great way to also recharge your batteries.

You can still move around

During the lockdown, some days have been very slow and hard to keep going, and the fact that we have to stay indoors doesn’t help. However if I push myself to move around on a flat day I find most times that a fog lifts from my head. If you haven’t been doing regular exercise then the beginning is always the hardest: no more excuses, put on those shoes and get out for a walk! (You can still do that in lockdown stage 4).

Nurture your creativity and your soul with great books

Even if you are not a reader, then opt for a photography book, or an art book. During the lockdown I have gone through some of my favourite photography books, and I have started exploring some of my art books, looking at paintings and taking notes on the composition and the symbols used in the masterpieces have allowed me to think in ways I could incorporate that to my work once I get back in the swing of things. If you don’t have many books around, then it’s a great moment to visit a virtual museum, learn about an art movement or watch a documentary.

I hope that these tips will help you to stay creative during the lockdown and hopefully recharge your cup and help you to keep your anxiety at bait. Do you have any other suggestions? What do you do to keep creating? Have you tried any of these suggestions in the past? Shoot me a message I can’t wait to hear what you get up to!

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