nDo you feel like you’re stuck when it comes to your photography skills? Well, don’t worry because every photographer has felt like you at one point or another. The good news is there’s light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to that rut you’re in. All you need to do is open your mind for the opportunities and possibilities in store for you when it comes to this craft. Here are a couple of tips to help you be inspired.
Take A Step Away From Your Comfort Zone
You read that right folks, step out of that zone as soon as possible. The moment you feel you’ve mastered something is the same moment you have to venture into the horizon to conquer new territory when it comes to your photography skills. Whether you’ve already taken a thousand portraits or you’ve achieved that long-exposure night-cap image, you should never settle down and rest on your laurels. Otherwise, you’ll stay stuck on that photography plateau with no hopes of going up.
Why not try to cover a wedding? It’ll challenge your creativity and your skill in coming up with pictures that will last a lifetime for a couple. Why not head out to the busiest part of the city and shoot people walking along the streets? It’ll help you master the art of capturing that decisive moment. Why not take your friend out to the park for a quick portrait session? This experience will aid you in posing people properly.
Whatever you’re doing with your photography right now, it’ll be a big boost to just go out and do something you have never done before.
Get out of that zone you’ve known for so long and shoot something that does not fit with your style.
Let The Internet Inspire You
If you’re gonna get lost, better get lost in the works of other photographers and their work. This tip will definitely fill up your mind with concepts and ideas you can adapt and make your own. Plus, as you try new things you’ve seen from others, it can help you create your own distinct style that will set you apart from the crowd.
All you need to do is search for photographers on social media, browse galleries found on their websites, or stalk their Instagram accounts for a quick fix of photographic inspiration. You can also join a forum or a group online so you can directly connect with other photographers, feed off from their ideas, and you can even share yours.
Experiment with Light
When the sun goes down and the light runs out, most photographers will call it a day and pack their bags. When that happens, be the one that stands out from among the rest. Just take out your flashes or video lights, ask for some assistance, and go wild in the dark. Experiment all you want, from the intensity of your light source to the different angles you can play with. There’s a good chance you’ll produce an image that will surprise the heck out of you.
There are so many things you can do with external light when the sun goes down. Don’t limit yourself and shoot away.
Do a Photo Challenge
Do you have a friend on social media who seems to post artistic photos every day? There’s a good chance your friend is accomplishing a 365 photo challenge and doing so can be good for you. First off, this task helps you be more resourceful in coming up with unique concepts for each day of the year. Second of all, it makes you more disciplined in shooting, sorting, editing, and posting your photos online. Last, but never the least, this practice will undoubtedly boost your creative skills and instill a new sense and style of taking photos.
Now, if a daily change may be taxing, you can modify the challenge to a weekly or a monthly one. Nevertheless, the same wisdom applies when it comes to improving your photography skills.
Socialize, Socialize, Socialize
What may seem so daunting at first can be the secret to a whole new world for you. Yes, that’s right folks. Getting out there and simply saying hi to that girl you’re sitting across the train can mean a new portrait session in your schedule. You can also go the extra mile and reconnect with lost friends, go to that party your co-worker was telling you about, or attend a seminar related to your hobbies. All of these and more can mean new connections to be made and more opportunities to widen your network. Believe me when I say that a simple acquaintance can produce 10 bookings for you when you make the simple effort of connecting on a personal level.
Getting out of that rut is never easy. At the same time, it’s not impossible to do so when it comes to getting inspired and finding new ways to take photographs. All you need to do is take that small, brave step, the world is yours. If you have other wonderful and simple ideas on how be more inspired when it comes to photography, hit me up in the comments below.
Get into the habit of talking to your subject and making them feel more comfortable because this will translate into the images you shoot.
