Last month I came down with something. I had a case of photo-taking-fatigue. Do you know what I’m talking about? For those that have been playing along all year we’ve taken 310 photos so far just for photo day. That’s a lot of photos.
Symptoms of photo-taking-fatigue include: Lack of inspiration, no appetite for taking photos, an itch for skipping a day and a desire for chocolate {always the chocolate}.
So, this month I decided to give myself a kick up the butt and be more creative. I know that there is creativity whirring inside of me, I just had to tap into it. Here are 7 ways you can be more creative with your photo-taking:
△ Check the prompt early
There’s nothing more dampening of the creative spirit than having to rush through the photo-taking process. A few days last month I left it to the last minute, the sun was going down and I had to find something {anything!} to take a photo of. Looking back at the day I had multiple chances to take a great photo while I was out and about, but I just wasn’t prepared {and I’d forgotten what the prompt was!}. So it’s a good idea to check the list each morning {you can find it here} and then keeping it on your mind as you go about your day.
△ Take 3 photos of the same thing
Once you’ve found what you want to shoot, it’s great to explore it a little more. So today, for example, the prompt is ‘a favourite thing’. Let’s say your most favourite thing is a bunch of flowers in vase. Take three photos of the same object, but make sure each photo is a different shot. Take it from above the object, get down low and shoot up at them and then for the last shot get really creative {get up close, step all the way back or try something new}. Try and change up your style a little bit and see what happens. Choose your favourite shot from the 3 to share.
△ Download a new app
I get excited when I find a new photo App, and I want to explore it a bit when taking photos. By trying a new photo App you can try new filters over your photos, play around with the contrast and clarity, and even add new borders or words to your photos. The possibilities are endless. I love Camera+ {you can get it here for $0.99} but you could always try picmonkey.com {it’s free and online here}.
△ Look at everything as though it’s the first time
Can you imagine how children see the world? As they grow they see so many things for the first time, and there’s a bit of magic in that. This is one thing I’ve learned to do often, seeing the world as if it’s the first time. For example, the very first time I went to my local shopping centre we parked the car and I saw a pole with beautiful red and white stripes and big number on it {it’s so you know where you’ve parked}. I loved the colours so I had to take a quick snap of it. I’ve seen that pole every week since, and I’m sure the locals don’t even see them anymore – but it made for quite a cool photo. Put your mind into holiday mode and get excited by the everyday.
△ Challenge yourself
This month I’ve seen a few people express their dismay at prompts being similar to past prompts. And yesterday one photo-sharer on Facebook noted that she really disliked the time prompts {like 5 o’clock}. I think this is when you really need to push past that ‘ugh’ feeling and get the ‘ooh’ sensation! So say, for example, we’ve done breakfast before, right? Instead of taking a photo of your toast again, why not go out for breakfast or make something different? The best motivator is yourself, so challenge yourself to do things differently.
△ Find a friend
Hubby surprised me at the start of last month by telling me he wanted to do the photo a day. I was gobsmacked. I’d never even entertained the thought. He’s not really creative, and I just wasn’t expecting it. My heart just about doubled in size and my smile grew from ear to ear. It’s been so much fun having someone so close to me play along. The other day we took a photo of the same thing, without knowing, and I love having him to share it with. Photo-taking is more fun with friends {or lovers!}.
△ Find inspiration
If you don’t have a friend to play along with {don’t worry, I’m your friend and I’m playing along with you!} or even if you do, it’s a great idea to go through the hashtag on Instagram or check out my wall on Facebook and find 2-3 people that inspire you. Follow them, start commenting on their photos and be part of the community. It’s so easy to get swept up in the fun of it all. There are even groups on Facebook that have buzzing, supportive communities. You can join them here and here.
