Idea Generation - DPChallenge Forums

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

01/18/2011 12:17:50 PM · #1

How do you guys come up with the ideas for your shots? I have been scoring pretty low, which I deserve, and figured it was mostly due to poor technical skills. This certainly plays a factor, and I am slowly learning the software, shooting techniques which will improve this--or so I hope.

But one thing a photographer I know told me, is that every picture needs to tell a story, and that you can't just go shoot something that matches a challenge. He said there is a distinctive need to conceptualize a shot, imagine it, prep for it, then shoot it.

So, how do you guys come with the ideas for your shots? Just curious at the thought processes used by the members here.

Help a new guy?

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/18/2011 12:27:06 PM · #2

Some of my ideas I come up with as sorta concepts that I want to explore later, or they just pop into my head one day. Then they fester there and I'm too lazy to do them, and a challenge comes along that reminds me of the idea and I say "AHA! I KNOW!"
But usually, it's more that I get to thinking about it and after awhile I think of something. Some challenges are obviously harder to think of something interesting for than others, but most of my shots that have an "interesting" approach to a challenge and aren't so straightforward idea-wise are spawned through consideration of the concept. For instance, for this shot

I began thinking of the camera bag itself. What is it? Why do we have it? What does it hold, and what is the camera really for? Then it went to "how can I depict that?"
But this all makes it sound like it's the only way. Never discount serendipity. Many ideas are found, not manufactured.

Really, the most important thing in general is being able to recognize the idea, not where it comes from.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

01/18/2011 12:32:43 PM · #3

I have a lot of loose stuff rattling around up in my head so it just kinda happens. Sometimes it is from something I have seen before or a movie, music, etc... I day dream a lot so it just happens.

This one came from wanting to do something with dry ice and seeing as I have a "Canon" camera bag it just fit.

Message edited by author 2011-01-18 12:32:58.

01/18/2011 12:34:54 PM · #4

-duplicate deleted-

Message edited by author 2011-01-18 12:35:13.

01/18/2011 12:34:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by crowis:

But one thing a photographer I know told me, is that every picture needs to tell a story, and that you can't just go shoot something that matches a challenge. He said there is a distinctive need to conceptualize a shot, imagine it, prep for it, then shoot it.

As a blanket concept, I cannot agree.

Sometimes conceptualizing and visualizing is needed, but in other cases, it is a matter of recognizing the shot when it is in front of you. Street photography, for instance, is about recognizing and capturing a moment that is usually unpredictable. The best street photography does indeed tell a story, however. I have plenty of high scoring shots where I recognized the good scene that was in front of me and then gone. I also have plenty of shots that required some thought and preparation to nail what I wanted. Many of those DON'T tell any story whatsoever.

Certainly, that may be how your friend may do his best work, but I really think it is shortsighted to lay it out as a one size fits all concept.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/18/2011 12:42:37 PM · #6

Originally posted by crowis:

How do you guys come up with the ideas for your shots?

To respond more directly to the original question: Sometimes I have a flash of inspiration, more often, I think about it for a few days. Other times, I have previously seen a good potential subject and had it mentally filed away for when an appropriate challenge came along. Other times, I just go for a walkabout in an appropriate place where I think I can find suitable subjects.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

01/18/2011 12:47:48 PM · #7

Originally posted by crowis:

How do you guys come up with the ideas for your shots?...

It's a multi-step process:
1. Drink lots and lots of coffee.
2. Drink lots and lots of whiskey.

Well, two-step, I guess.

KristinaG

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

01/18/2011 12:52:03 PM · #8

I come up with ideas a lot while doodling in class.
I draw little rectangles, and draw stuff inside them. Then I just wait for the right challenge to come up, and try to use it.
Unfortunately I tend to be quite bad at set up photography (I suck at indoor lighting) so there are a lot of ideas that I have that I have never implemented.

You should see how many dragons and swords I drew in my notes in the week of the chalk challenge, until I finally had time to execute it.
50 would not be an exaggeration.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/18/2011 01:05:28 PM · #9

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by crowis:
How do you guys come up with the ideas for your shots?...

It's a multi-step process:
1. Drink lots and lots of coffee.
2. Drink lots and lots of whiskey.

Well, two-step, I guess.

Don't think you can fool us Slippy, we all know it's a three step process, you're just not willing to post the third step in a public forum... ;)

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

01/18/2011 01:05:51 PM · #10

First, ideas are related to person and his or her artistic thinking abilities. That's why not everyone can be a good photographer.

Idea is your imagination. I always see my photo before I actually set things up and shoot it.

Sometimes person's mind freezes because of trying too hard to find new ideas. If I have a freezing moment, I give a break, at least a few hours and keep myself busy with other things. Never afraid of duplicating other ideas already been done. There is an old saying "There are no new ideas, there are better copies" for photography, which I don't believe but often follow unknowingly.

Final thoughts about this subject, just take pictures of any idea you come up with without thinking how good or bad it is. As many as photos you take, your ideas will improve.

tate

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/18/2011 01:20:56 PM · #11

"Misunderstanding" was one of those downright difficult challenges to put into a photo and the score show it. But that's where the CHALLENGE comes in ;)) This was actaully one of the most fun photos to make - and the entire time my goal was to create an image where people didn't completely understand how it was made or what it meant ;D

Like I said â�¦ I have no idea â�¦ but to be a happy photographer maybe take a look at some good roll models here: DPC photog interviews

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

01/18/2011 01:33:15 PM · #12

Creativity gone wild :P

01/18/2011 01:43:01 PM · #13

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by crowis:
How do you guys come up with the ideas for your shots?...

It's a multi-step process:
1. Drink lots and lots of coffee.
2. Drink lots and lots of whiskey.

Well, two-step, I guess.

Don't think you can fool us Slippy, we all know it's a three step process, you're just not willing to post the third step in a public forum... ;)

Step 1 - Check
Step 2 - Don't touch the liquor anymore, so I guess I'm screwed. lol. Can I replace this with some other type of debauchery. . .
Step 3 - Almost certainly involves summoning the photo demons. : )

01/18/2011 01:45:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by tate:

I think the creative process works really well with DPC.
Creative thoughts often know no boundaries and individual challenges help establish them.

As for doing well in challenges â�¦I have no idea.

Here's an example of a challenge image that is a weird combo of concept and technicals â�¦ although the technicals are not very good:

"Misunderstanding" was one of those downright difficult challenges to put into a photo and the score show it. But that's where the CHALLENGE comes in ;)) This was actaully one of the most fun photos to make - and the entire time my goal was to create an image where people didn't completely understand how it was made or what it meant ;D

Like I said â�¦ I have no idea â�¦ but to be a happy photographer maybe take a look at some good roll models here: DPC photog interviews

I don't have a problem conceptualizing concepts in advance. . .I just have (I guess) the noob issue of being able to envision stuff that is way beyond my technical ability to shoot. I am also working on seeing the picture as it will be rendered by my camera, not just how it views with the current eye. On one of the current challenges, I had a really good shot (or so I thought) until I realized the end result was more bland than I anticipated. . .and also had an obstruction which I somehow missed while shooting (and no, it was not my thumb)

01/18/2011 01:50:32 PM · #15

Originally posted by crowis:

I had a really good shot (or so I thought) until I realized the end result was more bland than I anticipated. . .and also had an obstruction which I somehow missed while shooting (and no, it was not my thumb)

Well, that called experience, and there's only one way to get it.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Canon

01/18/2011 02:50:50 PM · #16

Does anyone storyboard?

JokersSoul

Canon EOS-50D

01/18/2011 02:57:27 PM · #17

I have been around DPC for a long time (first as a lurker). I have gotten a lot of my creative ideas from participating in side challenges. Also I spend a god awful amount of time reading forums and browsing through the gazillion images. I also try to vote AND comment on challenges so that I can see what works for me and what doesn't.

Then it comes to the actual shooting. I don't really have a style, although I feel that I am getting closer to what I want to acheive. I think it all boils down to shooting a lot of pictures and finding an editing style that you love. I am still working on it, but I guess it isn't really work when you love what you do.

Keep on shooting and keep on asking questions. That is the best way to learn (IMO).

franktheyank

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/18/2011 03:07:27 PM · #18

Hi Mike,
First off, if the challenge has been done before, such as Rubber Ducky, take a look at the previous winners work. I don't mean so as to copy them, but rather to see how they approached the challenge to serve as inspiration.
Secondly, as you travel around where you live make mental notes about potential interesting shots for future challenges. It really helps in seeing your world in a fresh new way. I see you live in Washington state. I do as well in Seattle, and opportunities for photography here are endless.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

01/18/2011 03:27:47 PM · #19

Originally posted by franktheyank:

It's funny, because when I think of a shot to take, I immediately discard the first two ideas because I know those shots will each have a dozen takers during the challenge. And you are right in that this state has an abundance of opportunities (though I did have issues in the 100 year challenge, I had to drive a while to find something I felt was worth photographing at that age - lol - the Eastern side of the state was not widely populated that short time ago).

I have a friend that shoots here, and he says it is an uninspiring area, but I enjoy how Washington shots can be Desert, River, Mountains, Forest, Ocean, City or Rural all within a hundred miles.

I posted this thread, because I was sincerely interested in what creative methods people use to aid them in their photography. . .as I have a lot to learn and might be missing something important.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/18/2011 10:38:21 PM · #20

Originally posted by crowis:

Are you saying you envision things beyond your personal ability or that you have difficulty thinking beyond your personal ability? There's an important difference between the two. If it's the first, then who cares? Do it. If you fail, you know what NOT to do, and if you nail it, hey, you nail it. If it's the latter, reading a lot and looking at new techniques, especially in the photographer's notes of winning images, will help you yearn for techniques beyond your skill set. I personally use challenges as an impetus for improvement and expanding my skillset, and for that, there are few things better. I will think of an idea and then go about how to accomplish it, pooling my knowledge of technique and experimenting with whether I can or cannot do it. As noted, side challenges are good too; not only can they teach you new and interesting editing approaches, but they are also a creative kiddie pool- you won't drown going and doing something bizarre.

As far as knowing how a photo will look as an end product... I look at things the opposite way. I don't take a shot and then consider how it will look as a final product, I take a final product and determine how to take it. I take the photo already knowing what I intend to capture. The very fashion with which I take the photo is dictated by this. As I noted earlier, this is not always the case, and one must be willing to accept and recognize the serendipitous, but the key is always in recognition.

ETA: Here's a video I was watching that touches on it a little, from the serendipitous side.
The Sartorialist

Message edited by author 2011-01-18 23:02:13.