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How to Boost Your Creativity Tip One

Everyone in the wide field of the Arts suffers from creative block from time to time. From writers and musicians to painters and photographers. No one is immune, and these periods can be very frustrating and occasionally depressing. Sometimes though only a small change of environment or way of looking at things is needed to get those juices flowing again.

In this and subsequent articles I’m going to address some ways photographers, specifically in the landscape and nature genre, can find inspiration. Ways to be more creative so their individual vision can shine through. Although I’ve been photographing quite a long time, and have a background, in the arts I don’t consider myself an expert by any means. These are just some tips and pointers I’ve learned throughout the years.

Define Creativity

Let’s start with the basics. What is creativity? Here is one definition:

creativity |ˌkrē-āˈtivitē| noun   The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

Taking this definition in a strict sense is pretty tough. Yes, we all have an imagination, some bigger than others. But can we pull truly original ideas and concepts out of it on a regular basis? Hopefully some of these tips will give it a nudge in the right direction.

Tip #1: Use Online Photo Sharing Sites. Sites like 500px Instagram can at times be a wonderful source of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. Be warned though, they can also be  an addictive trap that can stifle your creativity. Online photo sharing sites host a wide variety of talent. From photographers just beginning, to advanced professionals.

I mostly like to browse through some of these sites to research locations I may be visiting sometime in the future. It helps give me an idea of the photographic potential of an area. Unfortunately though I found that I rarely came away from these sites creatively inspired. There just isn’t much originality here.

Word of Caution

Spend even a short amount of time browsing through posted photos on these sites and you’ll begin to see a follow the leader mentality. Both in locations visited, and the trend of the day style of processing. One of the worst aspects of these sites, in my opinion, is that some have devolved into competitive venues. A forum where it is more important to accumulate Likes and Faves than it is to post creative content.

So yes, online photo sharing sites can be a good source of inspiration for your creative self. Just make sure it is only one of many tools in your kit. Don’t get sidetracked into a race to keep up with the next guy!