If you are anything like me, sometimes you will get stuck with a photographer’s worst enemy: the lack of inspiration. Let’s face it, you can have all the equipment your gadget-freak-heart desires, the knowledge to use it, time on your hand and a direct line with Elite Models. But if you don’t have any inspiration, all this is useless. I have a on-off relation with the muse. Sometimes I can ‘t get her to shut up whispering great ideas in my ear and other times it seems like I can’t bring her to life no matter how many electroshocks I use. Here are some ways I try to counter those moments without creativity.
STEAL WITH YOUR EYES
There are tons of good images out there that can spark your creativity. Photo books from the masters (past and present) in the industry are always worth browsing through. Magazines like the French Photo, American Photo and PDN are amongst my favorites because they often feature a great mix of the work of legendary photographers, current top photographers and upcoming talent. More often than not you can also learn something about these artist’s vision, way of working, equipment, …
Beyond the pure photography magazines and books, there’s another world of inspirational imaginary to be found. Every few months I pick up a copy of Vogue, it has been a trendsetter in photography for years. Pick up magazines that target your audience. Even if they play it safe (like too many magazines do these days) on their editorial content, the ads will often feature great photography. Picking up a magazine that you would normally never buy can also give you some pleasant surprises.
UNKNOWN HEROES
Thanks to the internet, we now have access to the work of hundreds of thousands unknowns but good photographers. When I’m stuck for inspiration, I sometimes randomly browse around on Flickr, blogs and forums looking for images that inspire me. Often these images are not what I would consider good pictures but a color scheme, background or expression can be enough to jump start my imagination. I am often inspired by no nonsense work from teenagers without any good equipment or knowledge.
BEYOND PHOTOGRAPHY
You don’t need pictures to inspire you. There are so many other ways to set your brains on fire: movies, music, paintings, sculptures, architecture, an article in a newspaper, … But they will only come to you if you look at them with the right mindset. An open mind is key. I try to be always ready for creative stimuli (wish I could turn it off from time to time though). And when I’m in desperate need for an idea, I’m usually able to get into a state of hyperfocus.
KEEP A FILE
I keep all the magazines, books and whatever I found inspirational. And I like to keep them close instead of storing them in a box on the basement where they will be forgotten. On my computer I have a large folder with all kinds of images that move me in some way or the other.
You also might want to jot down your ideas (even if it’s only half an idea) on a small notepad. I have notepads all around the house and my iPhone also houses many premature ideas. If you don’t write them down immediately you will forget. Leafing through those notepads can be a very inspirational experience.
LET IT FLOW
Don’t see the things that inspire you as something you have to copy. Copying can be great to learn new techniques but it’s hardly creative. Instead you want to use these things as a starting point from which you can let it flow into your own creations. One idea can lead to another, that will lead to yet another and so on. In the end you may be doing something that has nothing to do anymore with the place you started. But that’s fine.
So where do you guys find your inspiration?
