| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/28/2008 01:47:23 AM · #26 |
The first step to being creative is to open your mind to the impossible, the ridiculous, and the possibility of anything and everything.
Look at the texture of a wall, do you see faces, animals, monsters, critters, shapes, buildings, do they move? Look at tile, on counters on the bathroom floor. Look at striations in marble in woodgrain in concrete, what do you see.
go outside, lay on your porch and look up at the world. Look down at the world, what do you see? Are there buildings and things formed in the blades of grass? What about the patch of weeds between the plates in the sidewalk, what do they look like from ground level?
Take a flashlight around your house. Set it on a shelf pointing anywhere, lay on the floor, stare at the shadows it creates, stand on a chair and watch for change of patterns.
Keep using the flashlight, move different objects in front of it, pine-cones, markers, TP, your frozen dinner, watch how the light reacts and bounces off the objects. Watch how the bounced light dances as shadows across the room.
Creativity, is all about opening your mind.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:55:41 AM · #27 |
I feel your frustration. I grew up analytical and always thought analytical. In English class, I was told to write my thoughts in a list. Then connect the thoughts to come up with a story. I connected them all with a period and a space. I think you get the idea.
Creativity has always been my white whale. I am constantly looking for ways to exercise my creative mind, be it journals (which look like laundry lists of what I did that day) to photography. But enough about me. What am I doing to overcome my deficiencies.
As mentioned before, I took up photography. I have read Peterson's book and it has helped me somewhat. The best thing that has helped me was simply taking photos, even things my mind would never consider worthwhile. Every once in a while it works, and when it does I print out an 8x10, place it in a folder, and write a comment about what I was thinking, why I decided to take that photograph, what creative decisions did I make, what mistakes, why I think that it worked, and a few lessons learned.
-------------------------
Example, a recent entry to March Free study:
My notes are:
What was I thinking: At Great Falls along the Potomac River. I went to photograph the waterfall, potential kayakers, and any interesting birds. The scene is along the canal and was unexpected.
Why I took the photograph: It's not everyday you see people dressed in costume using mules to tow a boat along the canal.
Creative Decisions: Desire was to frame the photograph with the barge on the right third and the mules on the left third. The sepia was added to tie into the historic scene.
Mistakes: Left my aperture set at f/1.4 and failed to place the entire subject into the field of focus. Some was recovered by sharpening. Also moving left a small amount would have avoided the background walker from appearing as a growth on the mule's ass.
Why does it work: The fortune was from the circle created from the branches spanning across the canal from the mules to the boat and the tow rope going back from the boat to the mules. Did not notice it until off the camera.
Lessons: Check the background for distractions. Check the camera settings. Look for lines that tie an entire image together.
----------------------------
On occasion, I will review my notes to remind myself of what worked and why it worked. The limitations of this system (which I am working on correcting) is that I won't learn something unless I experience it first and I am not recording my copious crappy photos thereby destined to repeat them. Perhaps I will start making notes of other photographer's photos in a separate book as well as a crap log of some of the more spectacular failures.
As far as books, I am still waiting for the good, better, best book. In essence, three photographers. One a green amateur with little to no knowledge of the matter, the second an advanced amateur who knows the concepts but is still trying to put them together, and the third a seasoned professional. Each photographer is asked to photograph a particular scene and the book explains the differences between the three experiences. (Anyone interested in writing a book?)
Oh, and in case you are curious, I grew up to be a rocket scientist. The analytical side of me is still in charge. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:59:26 AM · #28 |
I don't know if this has been mentioned (I have to go in a couple of minutes, so no time to read it all).
When you think of an idea, don't think: Oh, but that's impossible.. and throw the idea away.
Everything IS possible. Always! |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 04:26:56 AM · #29 |
google artists/photographers, play with your camera, shoot "little" things,
dont think too much, please yourself. :) |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 08:44:48 AM · #30 |
WOW, I am overwhelmed by your responses. You already gave me so much encouragement that I am definitely not going to give up. This is a wonderful group of people we have here.
There is 1 major obstacle that I face: lack of time. If I only didn't have to go to work... :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:23:25 AM · #31 |
In addition to the good advice given, there's nothing like taking on a project that challenges you to think and shoot on a regular basis. There are plenty of ongoing side challenges here and most are picture-a-day for a month for whatever theme. Every time I do one I have periods where I feel creative and then it seems to go away for a few days. But at the end of the month I look back and realize that I've done some good work and learned in the process.
Edit: These books have a lot of good stuff on photography and creativity.
Message edited by author 2008-04-28 09:27:59. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:34:35 AM · #32 |
oh don't give it up. The rule of thumb that I go by. Take 100 shots and maybe 1-2 are good.
I am sure it is the same for everyone here.
Just start small, I take photos of what interests me, I see a rock I like, I shoot it, a bird, a cloud, a person. Then there are photoshoots that are set up adn controlled. You already have an idea as to what and how you want it to look and you try your best to do that.
Take your camera to work, photograph your lunch or a piece of paper and then look at it and critique yourself on how you think it could look better.
Photography is all about just enjoying it. Just have fun and you wil find inspiration in most things |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:35:33 AM · #33 |
Just read Trinch's reply
he hit it on the head. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:35:52 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by mad_brewer:
In addition to the good advice given, there's nothing like taking on a project that challenges you to think and shoot on a regular basis. There are plenty of ongoing side challenges here and most are picture-a-day for a month for whatever theme. Every time I do one I have periods where I feel creative and then it seems to go away for a few days. But at the end of the month I look back and realize that I've done some good work and learned in the process.
Edit: These books have a lot of good stuff on photography and creativity. |
thanks mad_brewer
I am going to start taking my camera to work... |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:42:57 AM · #35 |
Originally posted by maggieddd:
This is probably a foolish question, but is creativity something one can learn, or is it that you just either have it or not? I spent all day taking photos today and every single photo I took looked like crap. I am so disappointed. I just sat down and pretty much decided that I am just really really bad at it and don't want to take pictures any more. I can't even find anything interesting to photograph at my house. I am sure someone creative could find lots of interesting things but I just can't. What do you guys think? Can a person learn to be creative? |
Just think :)
Think different, think strange, think and try to see your shot before to take it, but think...:)
Ciao, Paolo. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:51:02 AM · #36 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
oh don't give it up. The rule of thumb that I go by. Take 100 shots and maybe 1-2 are good.
I am sure it is the same for everyone here. |
Agreed. I shot over 1000 shots Saturday. I then sorted them and moved perhaps 300 of them into a subfolder for shots with some potential. Out of those, many are near duplicates, with just slight variation on the zoom or angle, so they won't all get edited. I'll probably have a small handful of possibilities for challenge entries, and maybe 6-12 others that I'll put up on Flickr. Often, the best ones won't fit a challenge, but that's what the freestudies are for.
BTW, the pros have done it that way for decades, but it's only since digital that taking so many shots has become affordable for everyone.
Message edited by author 2008-04-28 09:52:20. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 09:58:07 AM · #37 |
Originally posted by Trinch:
I feel your frustration. I grew up analytical and always thought analytical. In English class, I was told to write my thoughts in a list. Then connect the thoughts to come up with a story. I connected them all with a period and a space. I think you get the idea.
Creativity has always been my white whale. I am constantly looking for ways to exercise my creative mind, be it journals (which look like laundry lists of what I did that day) to photography. But enough about me. What am I doing to overcome my deficiencies.
As mentioned before, I took up photography. I have read Peterson's book and it has helped me somewhat. The best thing that has helped me was simply taking photos, even things my mind would never consider worthwhile. Every once in a while it works, and when it does I print out an 8x10, place it in a folder, and write a comment about what I was thinking, why I decided to take that photograph, what creative decisions did I make, what mistakes, why I think that it worked, and a few lessons learned.
-------------------------
Example, a recent entry to March Free study:
My notes are:
What was I thinking: At Great Falls along the Potomac River. I went to photograph the waterfall, potential kayakers, and any interesting birds. The scene is along the canal and was unexpected.
Why I took the photograph: It's not everyday you see people dressed in costume using mules to tow a boat along the canal.
Creative Decisions: Desire was to frame the photograph with the barge on the right third and the mules on the left third. The sepia was added to tie into the historic scene.
Mistakes: Left my aperture set at f/1.4 and failed to place the entire subject into the field of focus. Some was recovered by sharpening. Also moving left a small amount would have avoided the background walker from appearing as a growth on the mule's ass.
Why does it work: The fortune was from the circle created from the branches spanning across the canal from the mules to the boat and the tow rope going back from the boat to the mules. Did not notice it until off the camera.
Lessons: Check the background for distractions. Check the camera settings. Look for lines that tie an entire image together.
----------------------------
On occasion, I will review my notes to remind myself of what worked and why it worked. The limitations of this system (which I am working on correcting) is that I won't learn something unless I experience it first and I am not recording my copious crappy photos thereby destined to repeat them. Perhaps I will start making notes of other photographer's photos in a separate book as well as a crap log of some of the more spectacular failures.
As far as books, I am still waiting for the good, better, best book. In essence, three photographers. One a green amateur with little to no knowledge of the matter, the second an advanced amateur who knows the concepts but is still trying to put them together, and the third a seasoned professional. Each photographer is asked to photograph a particular scene and the book explains the differences between the three experiences. (Anyone interested in writing a book?)
Oh, and in case you are curious, I grew up to be a rocket scientist. The analytical side of me is still in charge. |
Trinch,
Thank you for such a elaborate reply. I am also very analytical and that definitely makes it harder to see in a creative way. Your example is very helpful. Thank you |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 11:59:26 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by mad_brewer:
Edit: These books have a lot of good stuff on photography and creativity. |
LensWork #75
I'm glad someone else mentioned a few LensWork books. The above link should get you to a pdf of issues #75 where Billy Jay wrote some stories of encounters and friendships he had with some famous photographers. It's a quick little read but potent. I think getting into the minds of the best and trying to draw paralells to or for yourself might be very helpful.
Is your goal to be commercially creative or are you looking at something with deeper meaning?
Regarding the OP, some people don't have rhythm...some people can't sing, some can't get their heads around mathematic concepts so, can anybody learn to be creative maybe not but they can certainly learn enough to get by and succeed. I think people need to first clear away their mental blocks and after that there's probably a formula that will work for them.
Message edited by author 2008-04-28 12:37:44. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:09:27 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by Trinch:
... I was told to write my thoughts in a list. Then connect the thoughts to come up with a story. I connected them all with a period and a space. |
LOL
Originally posted by Trinch:
... moving left a small amount would have avoided the background walker from appearing as a growth on the mule's ass. |
If only they'd been donkeys and the guy a jerk, you could have described it as the ass behind the ass's ass ... ;-)
Originally posted by Trinch:
On occasion, I will review my notes to remind myself of what worked and why it worked ... Perhaps I will start making notes of other photographer's photos .... |
This is why I always tell people that they'll learn far more by making comments on other people's photos than from the comments they receive on their own images. To write a good -- dare I say -- analytical comment requires one to study the photo and figure out what "works" and what doesn't, both technically and emotionally. The more one does this, the easier it becomes to apply the same analysis to a prospective scene before taking a shot yourself.
Originally posted by Trinch:
Oh, and in case you are curious, I grew up to be a rocket scientist. |
So if you can't figure it out, what hope do the rest of us have ... ;-)
Great post overall. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:20:25 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by maggieddd:
WOW, I am overwhelmed by your responses. You already gave me so much encouragement that I am definitely not going to give up. This is a wonderful group of people we have here.
There is 1 major obstacle that I face: lack of time. If I only didn't have to go to work... :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help. |
This is not as much of an obstacle as it is an excuse not to.
While at work, look at the stacks of paper on your desk, look at how the shadows fall on and around other objects on your desk, pens, cups, stapler. The idea is that you can do this anywhere, and only takes a few moments to look around and 'notice' things. Though try to notice the shadows and the lines they create. Once you can start identifying shapes and things within the shadows you can start looking at how other things look. Instead of seeing a stack of paper on your desk, look at only the contours of it and the contours of images in the background. Let your eyes focus on the object in front of you while the rest blurs and look at the common, everyday mundane as something new.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:28:21 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
This is why I always tell people that they'll learn far more by making comments on other people's photos than from the comments they receive on their own images. To write a good -- dare I say -- analytical comment requires one to study the photo and figure out what "works" and what doesn't, both technically and emotionally. The more one does this, the easier it becomes to apply the same analysis to a prospective scene before taking a shot yourself. |
My own reason for my commenting efforts. I have learned more about what works and what doesn't by making myself analyze all the 5's than from anything else. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:31:10 PM · #42 |
Originally posted by maggieddd:
I can't even find anything interesting to photograph at my house. I am sure someone creative could find lots of interesting things but I just can't. What do you guys think? Can a person learn to be creative? |
I don't know that you can learn to be creative, but you can learn how to explore your own creativity. I hope that second part is true as I'm writing a book on just that subject. Most of my favourite ways of inspiring creativity is through the use of constraints. Often painful, frustrating, annoying constraints. I find that when I'm offered an infinite variety of choice, I can't find anything creative. Too many choices. Constraints make me focus down and try to rebel within those limitations and then I find myself being creative.
Here's something to try. You'll need an hour or two of free time, preferably during the day, so you have some natural light to play with. Lock (mentally or actually) yourself in a room, with your camera and one or two lenses (one is better than two - more of those constraints) and a tripod. A bathroom is usually a good option if there is a window or two.
Take 100 pictures.
Don't leave until you've done it. Give yourself permission to try new things. Wave the camera around. Slow down the shutter speed. Set up a tripod and explore macro aspects. Play with light coming through bottles. Shoot self portraits of yourself to capture how frustrated you are with this stupid assignment. Whatever it takes, but don't leave that room until you've taken 100 pictures. You don't have to show them to anyone, but give it your best effort to make good pictures. Look at the lines. Look at the light. Look at the shapes and forms. Sit there and slow down and look.
You'll probably find that the first dozen or 20 shots are really easy. Then you'll find that you hate me. And you'll probably hate the assignment. The next 20 or 30 will be a frustrating, painful rebellious time, probably swearing about this stupid exercise, wanting to quit, thinking there's nothing interesting to photograph and generally thinking this is dumb and there are better ways to spend your time. Somewhere along the way, you'll just accept what's going on, become resigned to it and start really looking again. Often then something quite marvelous can happen.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2008 02:49:30 PM · #43 |
Originally posted by maggieddd:
What does it take to be creative? |
A tall glass of whiskey works well for me. ;-)
|
|
|
|
04/28/2008 03:46:24 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
A bathroom is usually a good option if there is a window or two.
Take 100 pictures.
|
Chapter 17: Ancient Chinese Bathroom Camera Torture
Message edited by author 2008-04-28 15:47:47. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 04:57:06 PM · #45 |
All I know is that inspiration and excitement feeds creativity. If you're around things or people that give you energy, it will help.
Personally, I've been finding that the process an exploration of a concept gets me going. Usually I seem to experience my greatest creativity alone. at night. but that's me. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 05:14:17 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by maggieddd:
I can't even find anything interesting to photograph at my house. I am sure someone creative could find lots of interesting things but I just can't. What do you guys think? Can a person learn to be creative? |
FWIW there's nothing interesting in my house/apartment to shoot. There never has been anything interesting to shoot and there probably never will be. Most of what I have everyone else has, so who wants to see pictures of that stuff? Don't let it tax you.
I'm also curious whether you want to create images or capture them? There's a big difference between the two.
Message edited by author 2008-04-28 17:20:26. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 05:23:36 PM · #47 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
FWIW there's nothing interesting in my house/apartment to shoot. There never has been anything interesting to shoot and there probably never will be. Most of what I have everyone else has, so who wants to see pictures of that? Don't let that tax you. |
To me, this sounds too much about seeing everything as the label you attach to it and too little about looking at what it actually is. One of the most eye opening experiences I've had was moving country. Everything you take for granted and stop seeing, suddenly becomes very visible again. Plug sockets are entirely new. Petrol pumps work in weird and wonderful new ways and are designed totally differently. Washing machines are different. Books are different. Phones are new. Cars are new.
Nobody else has what you have, if you think about it beyond the labels. Learning to see creatively, for me, starts with learning to see. So much of the time we don't look, because we already know.
' The famous photographer Minor White once commented “If he (a photographer) were to walk a block in a state of sensitized sympathy to everything to be seen, he would be exhausted before the block was up and out of film long before that.' |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 05:28:57 PM · #48 |
| I dont believe you can learn to be creative. Some people are creative but haven't nurtured their creativity or found the area of their creativity. People copy other peoples creativity and style but that doesn't mean they are creative. But I feel to even copy peoples creativity requires some degree of creativity. I think we are all creative to some degree. Some people are good at lying, others at singing, others at art, others at riding motorbikes, others at playing musical instruments. I cant play a musical instrument (just never had the opportunity and would rather spend my time taking photos) but I consider myself creative. My creativity shines through my photos and art. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 05:35:36 PM · #49 |
This imo is a very cool, very creative shot...
It's however not a shot I would ever take. Just speaking for myself, it's not what I do or like to do. Beyond it being pretty cool and creative, after a few moments it doesn't amount to much. In other words...I wouldn't hang it on my wall.
That's what I was alluding to when I asked whether the OP was interested in creating shots. Some of us may be on the wrong angle with our suggestions. |
|
|
|
04/28/2008 05:43:31 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by littlegett:
Originally posted by maggieddd:
WOW, I am overwhelmed by your responses. You already gave me so much encouragement that I am definitely not going to give up. This is a wonderful group of people we have here.
There is 1 major obstacle that I face: lack of time. If I only didn't have to go to work... :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help. |
This is not as much of an obstacle as it is an excuse not to.
While at work, look at the stacks of paper on your desk, look at how the shadows fall on and around other objects on your desk, pens, cups, stapler. The idea is that you can do this anywhere, and only takes a few moments to look around and 'notice' things. Though try to notice the shadows and the lines they create. Once you can start identifying shapes and things within the shadows you can start looking at how other things look. Instead of seeing a stack of paper on your desk, look at only the contours of it and the contours of images in the background. Let your eyes focus on the object in front of you while the rest blurs and look at the common, everyday mundane as something new. |
Yes, you are right, I am taking the camera to work tomorrrow |
|
