sometimes we all need a little inspiration to get our creative juices flowing…
While Instagram is convenient to flit into – all laid out nice and neat in its grid – what if you’re looking for sources that are not social media-related?
Here are eleven suggestions to get you started:
1. Art
One of my favourite ways to find inspiration is to spend time in an art gallery.
One of my favourite ways to find inspiration is to spend time in an art gallery.
I don’t have many options available to me living in rural Australia. Whenever I’m in a bigger centre though, I search out the nearest gallery and spend a couple of hours looking.
2. Movies
Movies are another rich source of inspiration.
Sometimes if particular scenes catch my eye, I’ll pause the movie to grab my phone and take a photo.
Often, it’s the way that light has been used in a scene that will make me wonder how I could replicate it.
(images from here)
One of my all-time favourite movies is ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’.
Did I want to immediately hop on a plane to Iceland?
Well, yeah!
Even though I didn’t, it inspired me to look at the landscapes around me a little more closely. And although I haven’t pursued landscape photography in any way, seeing how the experts in color, editing, composition and desig framed these landscapes is inspiring.
3. Cookbooks
Cookbooks are not just for recipes!
Cookbooks are not just for recipes!
If you’re a food photographer, they are a rich source of inspiration for color pairings and composition. Studying the way food is arranged in an image is a good way to learn about how to frame your subjects.
4. Photo books
I have a couple of shelves in my bookcase dedicated only to photo books.
I have a couple of shelves in my bookcase dedicated only to photo books.
Not only the learning manuals but works from artists I admire.
Flicking through these pages is a great lesson in how to create a cohesive set of works.
5. Album covers
Album covers that you hold in your hand are becoming a thing of the past, but do you have some old CDs laying around?
Album covers that you hold in your hand are becoming a thing of the past, but do you have some old CDs laying around?
The creativity and imagination behind these covers… A great place to look for posing and portrait tips.
6. Art technique books
Colour and composition are two threads common to both photography and art. Art technique books are an excellent reference to deep dive into these and other techniques to utilise as a photographer.
Colour and composition are two threads common to both photography and art. Art technique books are an excellent reference to deep dive into these and other techniques to utilise as a photographer.
7. Nature
As a flower photographer, and mad gardener, this one is a no-brainer for me.
As a flower photographer, and mad gardener, this one is a no-brainer for me.
If I’m feeling a bit out of sorts, it’s shoes off to ground and then I walk around my garden. No camera – that’s the rule.
Nine times out of ten, I’ll race back in and grab my camera, but it’s the simple act of spending time outdoors that helps the most.
8. Shoot with fellow photographers
It’s always a treat to get out and about with other photographers.
It’s always a treat to get out and about with other photographers.
I’ve been lucky enough to tutor/mentor some of the budding young photographers here in my town. I’m always inspired by the way they look at the world. And the quality of their work at such a young (to me!) age.
It’s not about comparing your work to theirs… it’s more about taking note of how they approach photography differently from you.
9. Travel
There’s no place like home, but sometimes your soul needs a change of scenery.
There’s no place like home, but sometimes your soul needs a change of scenery.
If you can’t get away from your little town, taking a walk down the street and exploring places you don’t often go will be enough.
If you can’t get away from your country, pick the next town/city/state over and explore there.
If you’re really lucky, you’ll get to explore a whole new country… immerse yourself in it and see how it changes the way you see the world.
10. Shoot the opposite of what you usually do
I’m a flower photographer because flowers don’t talk back, and there’s nothing that a dob of blutack and twist of florist wire can’t fix.
I’m a flower photographer because flowers don’t talk back, and there’s nothing that a dob of blutack and twist of florist wire can’t fix.
I love seeing the small details in what I photograph, so I find shooting landscapes a challenge.
Seeking out the opposite of what you find yourself drawn to is your challenge. Now, see what you discover about yourself and your photography.
11. Your past work
How often do you go back and look at your past work?
It’s something I’m guilty of not doing.
There’s joy to discovering an old image that takes your breath away. And it’s a fantastic way to see how much you’ve grown in your craft.
These are some of the things that work as sources of inspiration for me.
Choosing what excites and inspires you will undoubtedly be different.
If you have other sources of inspiration that you love to seek out, I’d love to hear more about them!!
with peace, love & light,
Tasha xo
