Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
-Robert Collier
-Robert Collier
Motivations
What prompted me to come up with something on motivation? There are primarily two things, and I suppose what started it was listening to a podcast, or a couple of podcasts on similar topics. But secondary to the podcast angle, it was my own history of wanting to get motivated in my photography.
I have always loved doing photography. I loved it when I did film and I now love it doing digital. But I have to admit there were times when I just didn't feel like doing pictures of anything. My primary interest as stated elsewhere is in capturing nature and wildlife.
Having a love of doing photography doesn't mean you want to be the "official photographer" of anything anyone feels you should be. Going out to an family event or a company event and hauling around a camera is sometime just... not what you want to do. This has happened to me over and over during my life, and each time it resulted in my just losing the spark.
Then there are the other times where you find yourself going back to the same (very cool) location and snapping the same shots over and over again - then getting home and saying "I already have a shot of that". Eventually, you just don't feel like lugging the gear. The place you go is awesome, but... you are there firsthand and have pictures already, so why not just enjoy.
But the fact remains - I love making photographs. I want to keep doing it. There is a certain "Zen" to it. It's relaxing and at times can be exhilarating at the same time. So what do I do? What have I done to keep the spark going?
What prompted me to come up with something on motivation? There are primarily two things, and I suppose what started it was listening to a podcast, or a couple of podcasts on similar topics. But secondary to the podcast angle, it was my own history of wanting to get motivated in my photography.
I have always loved doing photography. I loved it when I did film and I now love it doing digital. But I have to admit there were times when I just didn't feel like doing pictures of anything. My primary interest as stated elsewhere is in capturing nature and wildlife.
Having a love of doing photography doesn't mean you want to be the "official photographer" of anything anyone feels you should be. Going out to an family event or a company event and hauling around a camera is sometime just... not what you want to do. This has happened to me over and over during my life, and each time it resulted in my just losing the spark.
Then there are the other times where you find yourself going back to the same (very cool) location and snapping the same shots over and over again - then getting home and saying "I already have a shot of that". Eventually, you just don't feel like lugging the gear. The place you go is awesome, but... you are there firsthand and have pictures already, so why not just enjoy.
But the fact remains - I love making photographs. I want to keep doing it. There is a certain "Zen" to it. It's relaxing and at times can be exhilarating at the same time. So what do I do? What have I done to keep the spark going?
Photography courses
The single most effective thing I have ever done (and I've done it more than once), was to take a photography class. The second time I did this, I did for two reasons - I was a bit disappointed in the photos I was getting, and I wanted some purpose, some reason to shoot. I wanted a challenge with guidance.
That single photography class turned into a certificate of commercial photography a couple of years and a number of courses later. I can admit that I am simply not "into" portraiture, or wedding photography, nor do I think I would ever completely make a living from my photographs. I will also admit, those courses taught me more than I ever expected I'd learn from them about all aspects of photography. And the course I least wanted to take; History of Photography, was probably the most useful course I've ever taken on the subject. Useful! Not just informative, but I think it actually improved my photos and my approach to the subject.
Taking a photo course should give you basic guidelines on what and how, then put you into a situation where you have to force yourself into a problem-solving mode. The way most of the courses were structured, there was a group critique afterwards. You got to see what was right and what was wrong about not only your shots but everyone else's. A word of advice - be prepared to have your works of art completely dismantled in front of you. Be prepared to be pushed way outside your comfort zone. Embrace it. And use the information given to improve your work.
The single most effective thing I have ever done (and I've done it more than once), was to take a photography class. The second time I did this, I did for two reasons - I was a bit disappointed in the photos I was getting, and I wanted some purpose, some reason to shoot. I wanted a challenge with guidance.
That single photography class turned into a certificate of commercial photography a couple of years and a number of courses later. I can admit that I am simply not "into" portraiture, or wedding photography, nor do I think I would ever completely make a living from my photographs. I will also admit, those courses taught me more than I ever expected I'd learn from them about all aspects of photography. And the course I least wanted to take; History of Photography, was probably the most useful course I've ever taken on the subject. Useful! Not just informative, but I think it actually improved my photos and my approach to the subject.
Taking a photo course should give you basic guidelines on what and how, then put you into a situation where you have to force yourself into a problem-solving mode. The way most of the courses were structured, there was a group critique afterwards. You got to see what was right and what was wrong about not only your shots but everyone else's. A word of advice - be prepared to have your works of art completely dismantled in front of you. Be prepared to be pushed way outside your comfort zone. Embrace it. And use the information given to improve your work.
No matter what the course - there was always a new challenge. It was the challenge to "do"...
Projects
Another way of forcing the issue is to create a project for yourself. There are a number of suggestions out there, such as producing a photo per day for a whole year. All fine, except that you run the risk of losing sight of the forest for all the trees. It's not about volume, it's about producing something that moves you.
We all have our favorites or our interests so, assuming that you've tapped out all your creative energy already on photographing one of your favorite non-photography topics, see if you can find another, or something that you notice, something that catches your eye on your daily commute from time to time. I've had three significant topics I've used as projects over the years; Fences, steeples and this one particular tree standing alone in a field.
the judgement tree
I called it "The Judgement Tree". The name came to me because from a distance one morning, there was a branch hanging from it, that made it look like a hanging tree - like you see in the spaghetti westerns. I came up with the name because I figured that if I could turn this lone, ordinary tree into something worth framing, I would have some judgement on my photo/artistic skills. So I started photographing it. All seasons, all times of the day. It became my project. I don't think, in the end, I learned anything in particular from this exercise, but it was something to keep me shooting.
Another way of forcing the issue is to create a project for yourself. There are a number of suggestions out there, such as producing a photo per day for a whole year. All fine, except that you run the risk of losing sight of the forest for all the trees. It's not about volume, it's about producing something that moves you.
We all have our favorites or our interests so, assuming that you've tapped out all your creative energy already on photographing one of your favorite non-photography topics, see if you can find another, or something that you notice, something that catches your eye on your daily commute from time to time. I've had three significant topics I've used as projects over the years; Fences, steeples and this one particular tree standing alone in a field.
the judgement tree
I called it "The Judgement Tree". The name came to me because from a distance one morning, there was a branch hanging from it, that made it look like a hanging tree - like you see in the spaghetti westerns. I came up with the name because I figured that if I could turn this lone, ordinary tree into something worth framing, I would have some judgement on my photo/artistic skills. So I started photographing it. All seasons, all times of the day. It became my project. I don't think, in the end, I learned anything in particular from this exercise, but it was something to keep me shooting.
I have other ideas - like pick a song and illustrate the lyrics. Or make up your own poem. How about producing a photo book? One of my pet-peeves is how we mistreat the world around us, and I have a collection (a growing collection) of photos of the mess we as humans have made in our own back yards. Someday this will be turned into something useful.
Tried this one with Eggs:
The inspiration came when I opened the fridge one day and someone had drawn faces on all the eggs in the fridge :-)
Techniques
One source of motivation can be to learn a different technique. Perhaps once you have a good understanding of it, you can integrate some of it into your own personal style. The photo above of the light trails is a great example. I still want to do more of these and I'm constantly on the lookout for opportunities.
One day I was given a book on Macro photography. I love looking at macro shots, but never really had the "guts" to try it. I frankly didn't know how to go about it, how to approach it, and all my previous attempts looked really bad. As a result, "macro" was never really my style. Besides, I was predominantly a nature and landscape guy, because that's where my interests lay.
I read thru the book, learned the techniques, and wanted to try it. I acquired some inexpensive bits and pieces that could help my shots, and I worked at it. I took apart a busted hard drive... meh... I deal with technology all day... shots didn't blow me away. The n I found a huge dragonfly that had passed away in my garage... and then flowers, and then.... well you get the picture - more nature stuff... It became one more reason to get out my camera and shoot. Now, when I come to a crappy weekend... I think about maybe setting up some macro shots. I carry a list of subjects I'd love to shoot up close some day.
I'd like to try HDR next. Understand it, and use the principles to make my pics better. Perhaps I will be posting a bunch of HDR stuff in the near future. Regardless, I will be shooting.
Shooting with flash is something I've been trying to grasp for years. It's difficult, but as I have learned it, I have applied it.
Night, and low light photos are another thing to play around with.
Both of those techniques will 'fit' in my nature/landscape interests.
One source of motivation can be to learn a different technique. Perhaps once you have a good understanding of it, you can integrate some of it into your own personal style. The photo above of the light trails is a great example. I still want to do more of these and I'm constantly on the lookout for opportunities.
One day I was given a book on Macro photography. I love looking at macro shots, but never really had the "guts" to try it. I frankly didn't know how to go about it, how to approach it, and all my previous attempts looked really bad. As a result, "macro" was never really my style. Besides, I was predominantly a nature and landscape guy, because that's where my interests lay.
I read thru the book, learned the techniques, and wanted to try it. I acquired some inexpensive bits and pieces that could help my shots, and I worked at it. I took apart a busted hard drive... meh... I deal with technology all day... shots didn't blow me away. The n I found a huge dragonfly that had passed away in my garage... and then flowers, and then.... well you get the picture - more nature stuff... It became one more reason to get out my camera and shoot. Now, when I come to a crappy weekend... I think about maybe setting up some macro shots. I carry a list of subjects I'd love to shoot up close some day.
I'd like to try HDR next. Understand it, and use the principles to make my pics better. Perhaps I will be posting a bunch of HDR stuff in the near future. Regardless, I will be shooting.
Shooting with flash is something I've been trying to grasp for years. It's difficult, but as I have learned it, I have applied it.
Night, and low light photos are another thing to play around with.
Both of those techniques will 'fit' in my nature/landscape interests.
Styles
I have said in a blog that we shouldn't blatantly try to copy others' styles, but there is nothing wrong with a complete understanding of the style so that we can apply the learnings to our own style.
Copying someone's style for this purpose is quite an interesting exercise and can be consuming.
I read lots of photo books, magazines and so on. One book I came across discussed Adams' 'zone system' in quite some detail. I looked at Ansel Adams photos with reference what I had read. And then - to see if I fully understood the concepts, I tried to capture some similar pictures. Granted, I don't live in nor do I travel to Yosimite. I had to make do with what I saw around me. I don't think I would ever let this become my style, but I did learn a whole lot in this case, and I apply the ideas to my own photos. I really wanted to get as close to his look, and his 'feel' with my photos, and understand how to get there. Ansel Adams is one of the masters, and his work is amazing. I started viewing the world around me in 'zones' for a while. I have to say - it really helped in understanding light.
There are some other photographers who make some pretty amazing pictures. I don't believe that their styles are particularly something I'd like to adopt, but I do believe that understanding the style and the 'visions' will help develop my own style further.
Action shots, different perspectives, cityscapes, architecture... all these types of photography lend a new angle of undertanding to your style.
I have said in a blog that we shouldn't blatantly try to copy others' styles, but there is nothing wrong with a complete understanding of the style so that we can apply the learnings to our own style.
Copying someone's style for this purpose is quite an interesting exercise and can be consuming.
I read lots of photo books, magazines and so on. One book I came across discussed Adams' 'zone system' in quite some detail. I looked at Ansel Adams photos with reference what I had read. And then - to see if I fully understood the concepts, I tried to capture some similar pictures. Granted, I don't live in nor do I travel to Yosimite. I had to make do with what I saw around me. I don't think I would ever let this become my style, but I did learn a whole lot in this case, and I apply the ideas to my own photos. I really wanted to get as close to his look, and his 'feel' with my photos, and understand how to get there. Ansel Adams is one of the masters, and his work is amazing. I started viewing the world around me in 'zones' for a while. I have to say - it really helped in understanding light.
There are some other photographers who make some pretty amazing pictures. I don't believe that their styles are particularly something I'd like to adopt, but I do believe that understanding the style and the 'visions' will help develop my own style further.
Action shots, different perspectives, cityscapes, architecture... all these types of photography lend a new angle of undertanding to your style.
Other ideas
The problem with going to the same amazing places and coming back with the same shots from the same vantage points of the same landscape happened to me with an annual camping trip I make every year with a special group of people. Yes, we can argue that no two photos from of the same place are the same, but what I realized was that - my photos just couldn't properly capture the beauty that I was experiencing firsthand. A photo is worth a thousand words, but these places deserve ten million words and more.
The problem with going to the same amazing places and coming back with the same shots from the same vantage points of the same landscape happened to me with an annual camping trip I make every year with a special group of people. Yes, we can argue that no two photos from of the same place are the same, but what I realized was that - my photos just couldn't properly capture the beauty that I was experiencing firsthand. A photo is worth a thousand words, but these places deserve ten million words and more.
All of us on these trips realized this. It is a multi-sensory experience. Wildlife captured up close and spectacular on a digital sensor, isn't even close to being there.
What we came up with to try and capture more of the experience (and it is something we are working on more and more) is to combine stills, with video and sound and commentary, and put together a (amateur) video. It has actually become an integral part of our camping trip now, with traditional kick-off introductions, and the annual group photo in the same location. Best of all - you can watch these videos years later and be right back there with the crew, living the moment again.
Video and photography are at the same time, very different and very similar. I tended to use the video at first to segway into a photo slide show. we have gradually started to consciously try to make the video as 'artful' as the photos.
Another idea is timelapse. There are some spectacular timelapse videos around. Another idea to try some day. I have done one test video and... for the minimal effort I put into it - I'm encouraged. Yet another reason to get the camera out.
What we came up with to try and capture more of the experience (and it is something we are working on more and more) is to combine stills, with video and sound and commentary, and put together a (amateur) video. It has actually become an integral part of our camping trip now, with traditional kick-off introductions, and the annual group photo in the same location. Best of all - you can watch these videos years later and be right back there with the crew, living the moment again.
Video and photography are at the same time, very different and very similar. I tended to use the video at first to segway into a photo slide show. we have gradually started to consciously try to make the video as 'artful' as the photos.
Another idea is timelapse. There are some spectacular timelapse videos around. Another idea to try some day. I have done one test video and... for the minimal effort I put into it - I'm encouraged. Yet another reason to get the camera out.
Overall
I've mentioned a couple times that my 'thing' is nature and landscape. I don't think I want to be classified as this only. Many say "find a style, find a niche and stick with it". I kinda disagree with this. I'd like to try everything. I want to make pictures. The picture I make at any particular moment - will be of what ever happens to interest me. All the more reason to learn everything I can about the art and the science of photography. All the more reason to understand how to make the camera see what I see. That whole process - turning a vision into... well, a vision - is what keeps me in it. It is my "zen".
For other resources, see: the links