Seven ways to get out of a creative rut in STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- I've found myself in so many creative ruts throughout my career. Here are seven ways which have helped me out of them and have kept my passion for photography alive.
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Chapters:
00:00 Why I get stuck in a rut
00:52 Change gear
03:11 Change your environment
04:07 Shoot with others
05:08 Projects
06:02 Try something new
06:54 Books and exhibitions
07:48 Lose your audience - Навчання та стиль
I'm an IT retiree, and have been a photography hobbyist since 1977. Usually, when I don't know where to photowalk in my city (Riyadh), I drive to a near city or village and spend some time there. Change of scenery is nice, and chatting with the locals is always refreshing.
Agreed. A change of scenery works wonders.
When I get in a rut I just switch genres for a while and it works, from street photography to flower photography to portraits and I don’t change gears-I just change subjects to photograph.
Swapping lenses almost always does the trick for me. Changing focal lengths, literally changing perspective, is a powerful tool.
Absolutely!!
Hi Jeff. Lots of good takeaways in this video. It would be incredible if you could do a video talking to Sarah about some of her projects, how she got started, how she went about reaching out and what her highlights from her favourite projects were.
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Hi , liked and subbed. I've found for me that the best way to open the doors of perception is to find an event to photograph. It has a great added benefit as well. If you are walking around at say a classic car event taking pictures everyone assumes you are taking pictures of the cars for example, not of them. You almost become invisible as you walk around working the scene. Just my two bits worth. Regards Jake E.
Thank you. Events are really cool things to shoot.
One good way is take a little break people never just take a day to themselves and throughout the day just casually shoot don’t go as aggressive as you normally do I feel when I shoot more laidback and relaxed I tend to get better shots and notice more things
Yeah that’s a good point. Take away any pressure. Sarah does that anyway, but I have to work at it.
I gave up photography. The ultimate solution to the problem.
I primarily shoot digital. But I'll take a film camera out if I'm in a rut. That feeling of "well, that didn't work out" when you try something different is delayed when you can't instantly review the shot. The excitement of trying something new lingers and spills over to the next outing with the digital camera.
100%. Instant review can be quite a negative process.
Another quality video. The guvnor!
🙏
When I was in the UK for vacation last summer I did a workshop with Brian Lloyd Duckett, that was excellent. I also started a long term project in January. Both of these have helped motivate me to keep shooting.
This video is spot on.
Thank you
Brian Is a really great guy and his books are always inspirational for new ideas and approaches.
We love Dangerous Brian!
I found changing locations such as a different town or city very refreshing because all the photos come out wrong and it forces me to step out of my routine and try to solve the problem in a creative manner.
Another cracking episode, and out with The Don, one hour sat having a coffee or two with him would do me, one of my holy trinity.
Thanks Iain. I’ve met two of mine. Alas, the other one died quite a few years ago!!
I usually go retro. Simple, rudimentary and difficult. That makes me ponder and think about what I am doing.
Like you said it's a mindset, you can treat creative block like a form of depression. Sometimes it's not your photography that's making the experience worse, but actually things like good sleep, diet, work environment, time of year or even just being too comfortable. Being uncomfortable can really get the creative juices going, things like travel, giving yourself limitations, Trying something new especially things that you are scared of, you will unlock new mindsets and abilities and experiences and grow both as a person and artistically.
Read a self help books or genres you might not particularly like. Personally I starting reading some Woohoo sounding stuff about the Law of Attraction. ( not for money or love like most people do, but for inspiration). It's a bit culty but gets you to look at the world differently and enjoy it more. The feeling of gratitude made my excitement to photograph go up immensely.
Read new books, listen to different podcasts than the usual. Even take up a new hobby all together and your photography will improve. Make a habit of not having a habit.
One of the biggest fun killers is believing other people's opinions, especially other photographers, I've never once been inspired by someone telling me I can't crop legs or heads of, or skylines should be here etc. It just makes me want to do the opposite lol, But what does inspire me is seeing peoples approach, their stories and stories behind photographs, none of the technical stuff really.
I not long ago discovered Sam Abell talking about his story with photography, the man has some very strict ideas about what photography should be to him, which I disagree with (mainly competition style editing which is meh, not art but just rules to help judges score.) But I had to stop the video several time just to go out and start shooting. It was the process I found inspiring. Same with the Team Deakins Podcast, it's about cinematography but hearing them talk about it inspires, they too each have their own silly rules, but there's always someone making a killing doing the exact opposite.
I think lifestyle, Money situations and personal health are the biggest contributors to whether you make good art or not. I used to make music, and Timbaland ( love him or hate him ) makes his best music and ideas when he is fit and going to the gym, he goes through stages of different mindsets, personally I like his fat music better, but he felt better doing it when he was healthy. I always feel better when I know I've lost weight, or I know I'm on the right path to improving myself, it's a weird mental state thing.
When you change the way you look at things what you look at changes.. or something like that haha.
Sam’s book is worth getting. The Life Of A Photograph. It’s very Nat Geo but it makes the point about perspective and seeing the same things through different lenses. Deakins has always been an inspiration. I think I own
every movie he was DoP on. Chivo too. What Lubezki did with The Revenant was cinematography from another level. All very inspirational.
@@WalkLikeAlice Thanks! I'll check his book out, I went to the library specifically for his books but they didn't have any available.
Yes Deakins podcast is one of my faves now. And 100% with you on the Revenant!
Thank you for sharing this… I am trying to get back in love with photography after a 9 year falling out and this has given me a bit of a kick in the butt.
Glad to help 🙂
I have three lenses 21mm, 50mm and 135mm. I often shoot on the 50mm, but when I'm in a rut I dig out the other two and use them to get more creative, especially when shooting street on the 21mm to the 50mm is like chalk and cheese, but it keeps the mind ticking!
At my age I have to do everything I can to keep the mind ticking!!
Great video, a few of my photo friends are going through this exact creative spiral at the moment, so I've sent them this. Thanks for sharing your insights. Love the work btw
Thank you 🙏
Great video.. My photography tutor always told me that when everything is familiar we get stuck in a rut and to walk down streets we've never walked or to take a different route when we head out with our camera It will inspire us
Your tutor was a wise person 🙂
just subbed @@WalkLikeAlice
Cool advice and ideas. Thanks!
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thanks for this tips, there are really true ones, hugs
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Awesome video. I'm always thrilled to see something from by "Walk Like Alice" -- thanks!
Thanks for watching 🙏
Great blog and thank you. I do use some of these you described, but I also have a variation on the use of gears. Over the years, I've used FF, APS-C and M4/3 cameras. I don't tend to sell them off for another format, so I have a collection of them. When I am stuck in a rut, I'll take one of the cameras/sensor format/lens that I've not used for some time and simply go out and take photos with it. I find that it helps me get out of the same old, same old and picking up an 'old friend' re-invigorates my thinking and vision!
Great advice. Thank you.
Over the last few months I've been shooting w/ new manual lenses from China
on an aps-c and found rekindled fun in photos. Adapted m-mounts from my analog days just aren't the same due to t
Hi Jeff! Great video! Love when you share your skill and your eye, very inspiring - especially coming from someone who knows what he's talking about :) Big thumbs up 👍👍👍
Thanks, Peter 🙏
👏 Thank you.
No. Thank you 🙏
I photograph nearly every day. I'm an "amateur". I like to shoot vintage manual lenses on digital cameras, and I have a collection of about fifty of these lenses. (Also a collection of superb Minolta AF zooms that cover 17-300mm.) If I find myself getting tired of a lens, I use a different one, a different focal length, or a lens by a different manufacturer. I feel like I'm always learning. And I'm getting some good photos that I can go on to process in Lightroom. The lenses for the most part probably cost about $50 each with some perhaps $100. I would like to shoot film again, but I'm living in Ecuador and doubt I can get it processed here. But I do have four rolls in the freezer, Kodak Gold 400, and I just bought a sixty year old Asahi Pentax SV camera that natively uses the m42 lenses that are the bulk of my collection. What excites me about it is that it's fully manual without an internal light meter. It marks a new stage in my photographic journey and means more learning.
Enjoyed your video, you made some very good points. I experimented with using just one lens (not a zoom) and it made me think more about the image rather than wondering which lens I should use.
Cool. It’s always good to experiment, even if you eventually go back to what you used previously.
Wonderful ! Great advice , multiple strategies. For me , I think the reminder to de-couple from audience appetites and shoot for yourself is key.
Thank you
Just what I needed this morning... thank you for your work !
Thank you
Love these videos, you bring High Quality Content!. Thank You!
Thank you. And thanks for watching 🙏
Great work🎉
Thank you
Lots of good ideas in this video. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for watching 🙏
I try my old film camera loaded with colour negative - brings me back to how I began taking pictures - collecting prints from camera shop funny results some nice images " happened" ?
Thanks Geoff for some great strategies, courage to change important to move forward. Great images as always from you guys.
Thank you, Rolf 🙏🙏
Love these tips! Taking on a fresh perspective and approaching your art with authenticity is super helpful! 👏
Thank you
Surprisingly helpful thanks.
Thx Geoff. Glad you got something from it.
Great ideas, thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching
Well needed tips. Thank you!
Thanks for watching 🙏
Another awesome video. Personally I don't get into a photographic rut. I shoot every day for work and pleasure so many different genres, I'm just obsessed with shooting. I do tend to search out old cameras and try to get a good result from them it started for channel content initially but has turned into another obsession.
Sarah is the same. She doesn’t get in a rut either. I think personality has something to do with it all too. I get bored easily and I’m super critical of my work. Probably the perfect combination to get stuck in a rut!!
@@WalkLikeAlice haha yeah true mate. I do get into al sorts of other life ruts but when I do I aim for the cameras or watch some UA-cam vids keep feeding the obsession
Looking at other works of art - painting, sculpture, architecture, cinema - can also be liberating.
Movies are a favourite of ours.
Just discovered this channel and I really appreciate it! I'd love to hear more about how you and Sarah navigate being intrusive and voyeuristic with street photography. I watched the video on getting closer to your subjects and the POVs are great, but I'm having trouble overcoming my nerves and feeling respectful about snapping other people.
Hello Jeff,
Thanks for this video... seven good tips there, we are lucky to be able to benefit from your knowledge.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks Paul. That’s very kind of you to say so.
Jist found your channel. I think you being a really nuanced approach towards photography. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge and experiences
Thanks for watching 🙏
Thank you for another great video. I am trying to reinvigorate my photography, and have already followed several of your tips (say goodbye Canon, hello Fuji), so this episode is very timely for me. As always, love your work!
Thank you 🙏
Thanks!
Yes changing something is great. Could (almost) be everything…
Like you said got to other less well known places. Meet other photographers and go out with them sharing thoughts and experiences.
Do a workshop.
Change subjects or plans. I mean if photographing landscapes is the main thing you do, go out for details on landscapes . If photographing in color, try black and white.
Or try portrait, macro, etc… be open minded and there are so much opportunities… ❤
We have a lot of landscape photographers on our street workshops. They tend to be a group which get stuck in a rut quite often.
I tend to try new places to get out of my ruts. I live in a small town that's pretty quiet.. Thanks for the video.
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Great advice, getting stuck in a rut happens to all of us and getting out is sometimes trying to figure which direction to go next is my Kryptonite
Just go. Don’t think. Just go. Works for me a lot of times.
Good points Jeff. The Blackpool workshop with yourself and Sarah helped me in this regard last summer. It also led me to sell all my Nikon gear and move to the Leica M system (but that’s another story😂).
Welcome to the dark side 😂
Man Don McCullin is cool, bought my ridiculous Mamiya because of him
Cool, funny, engaging, charming.
Strategy #3 wins for me: I recently took a street photography workshop in Cambridge, a city I know well. Seeing familiar places through someone else's eye was so refreshing and I was inspired to introduce a raft of new ideas into my photography. I also agree with you about books and exhibitions. Perhaps another strategy could be to abandon all photography magazines (as I have done) and instead spend one's money on books and trips?
Do people still buy photo mags? Books are a much better option.
Great advice!
I started with a 50mm
Then stayed with 35mm for years (my fav focal length)
Whenever I’m in a rut, I shoot with a 28mm or the 50mm. It really keeps you sharp.
Looking at books also great advice 💐
Quality video.
Thank you!!
Useful considerations and - above all - successful results🙂You are one of my handpicked Leica photographersworth using such gear. Since I'm already 'beyond good and evil' in years of my lifecycle, I make do with simpler equipment (some different devices) and try to optimize my ability to look at the crucial spot.
Thank you 🙏
Recently moved to film photography for street.
How’s that going?
Another great episode , your right about social media though , terrible for photographers 😊
Thank you. Yea, and everyone still puts so much stock in it.
Makes sense….. eating the same food all the time becomes boring and unhealthy……. Love your content.
Thank you so much
Oh some great advice here, I especially liked the advice on the thought of walking your own path...Rather than chasing likes in this modern era...Cool specs too for us older gentlemen lol, I go with contacts personally. For the sunglass variety I think you're more an Oakleys guy, for me it's Ray-Ban. I hope you're both well.
I have dry eyes so contacts are (literally) a pain. Correct on sun glasses. Although my glasses are transitions.
Hey there, just subscribed! I was wondering what you use to mount your GoPro (or whatever you use for POV videos) to yourself. Any specific harness or strap or clip you recommend?
Thank you 🙏 We attach them with Sametop Quick Clip Mounts. We just bought a couple of Amazon basics chest harnesses for this year. The clips can be a bit of a pain as they move around a lot.
Talking about being creative, your Gretsch style gtr change the tuneomatic bridge for a free standing bone/rosewood bridge this with completely change the sound and response of the gtr, it's much better, slightly brighter but beautifully sings.
It’s got a Tru-Arc brass bridge on it. I changed the original bridge about a year after getting it.
(I might be very late with this info) not sure if you have been yet but the Japanese exhibition of Saul Leiter is now in UK, it's on at MK Gallery Milton Keynes.@@WalkLikeAlice
@@_H_2023Milton Keynes is a royal PITA for us to get to. Most people avoid the place 😂
Took me some time to work out what PITA meant, Gotcha @@WalkLikeAlice 😀 for me, I hope it comes to Tate Liverpool just like the Mc Cullin exhibition did during lockdown.
8th way: challenge use off camera flash for every shot whole day daytime
Yeah you can do that. I personally wouldn’t as it’s not my thing and I don’t like the flash/daylight look. But it’s definitely something different.
The only reason I'm in a rut is due to hiking prices :(
Take a photo of someone in the street in Australia and you will have the camera shoved down your throat. A phone is less intrusive and more accepted, but ask first.
One of my best mates is an Aussie street photographer and arguably one of the best street photographers in the world. He wouldn’t agree with you. 🙂
Mmm I’m not sure where your living on oz mate but that ain’t my experience. It ain’t a war-zone. People see what they wanna see I suppose