Oftentimes I find creativity is simply an attempt by the artist to bring to life what is in their brain. Angels, demons. Stories and Poems. Some unique thing unlike something the rest of us could ever had dreamed. Other times it’s an attempt to bring a memory to life. Maybe it’s a familiar picture everyone else has as well. Difference is this one is mine. I created it. It captured my memories, and I hope it brings good ones for you. Sparks something. A smile.
Does the potential for money impact creativity?
It has for me. Creative endeavors that start simply as an outlet often, and sometimes quickly morph into a 2nd source of income; or that’s the hope, right. I like doing this thing, it relaxes me, and now I can make extra money… or maybe it gets big enough I quit my job, do this full time and work for myself.
Even if just for a fleeting moment many of us have this thought. Well from the moment someone, with the intent of a compliment, told me my photos were good, good enough to sell, this thought train ran through my head.
That single complement changed the direction of my photography. Can I make it more marketable? Do I need a website? How many hashtags should I use? Also for good and bad it has changed what I take photos of. I shot more portraits, which I love. I take more “normal shots”, that while I enjoy them many times it doesn’t carry the same passion.
I like finding and capturing interesting compositions parts of a scene that catch my eye. I am not sure they will ever sell, but it is where I feel the most creative. It is what I enjoy the most. This is what I will do more of:
Where do I use The Creative?
Great question! For me it’s often at the desk. I can (and often do) snap photos of anything that catches my eye, but here is a little secret; lots of those initial snaps are simply not good.
So for me I often times have to apply my creativity behind the computer screen and not the camera lens. I am much better with layout and flow in post. I often times just get to excited when I have a camera in hand and I’m just taking pictures for me.
So this one was downtown where I live. A street I’ve been on many times, just caught it at the right time at an interesting angle. Added some contrast in the sky and cleaned up made the color match what was in my head to finish it off.
You have to start somewhere…
I have been lacking motivation in the creative department lately, and if there is one thing I know the hardest part is often times starting. Creative ideas will come if you start doing creative things. They don’t have to be perfect. They don’t all have to be innovative. New to you is a good start. Hell old familiar creative endeavors maybe your way to start.
I had a friend once that always watched Blazing Saddles when he needed to get his creative juices flowing. It had nothing to do with what he was creating, it was just a sure fire way for him to get inspiration.
So I plan to create something daily for a bit. Maybe new photos, maybe new edits on old favorites. The goal is to rebuild habits I’ve put down, like taking my camera everywhere for starters.
Here is my first creative endeavor of the project, an edit of a photo of my parents from 2014. A couple factors kept me from using it back then, but I’ve learned a lot since then, one of the biggest… How to crop.
