If you are anything like me you go through highs and lows with your photography. I have come up with 8 tips to out you get out of your lows and to help keep you on your highs!
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No.01Participate in Photo Challenges
I realize not everyone has children or pets to take photos of. Photographing still life can be a challenge! There are MANY photography challenges out there for you to participate in. Here are just a few I thought were creative and useful!
- The Unexpected Everyday – 30 day challenge with prompts and skills
- #Portraitsofme – Each Monday join me and Megan Cieloha on Instagram with our self portrait challenge
- The Bethadilly Challenge
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No.02Creativity Exercises
I recently started a new category on my blog where I will post creativity exercises once a month. This is a great way to keep those photography juices flowing.
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No.03Focus on one skill for a week.
This can be a skill you are already a master off or one that you want to learn. Shoot every since day to achieve that one skill.
- Bokeh
- Backlighting
- Silhouettes
- Composition
- Dramatic light
- Macro
- The possibilities are endless
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No.04Ask for Critiques
Don’t ask your mom or your best friend. Find someone with a good eye and ask them for a serious critique. You will learn so much and be challenged by this activity.
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No.05Take Self Portraits.
This is a hard thing to do but can teach you a lot about photography. Plus you know how I feel about you getting in front of the camera!
You can check out my most recent self portraits on Instagram at @clickitupanotch each Monday where I joined with Megan Cieloha for our #portraitsofme challenge.
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No.06Change your lens.
Put a new lens on your camera and shoot with it until your photos start to look the same. Then put on a different lens. If you only have one lens find a friend with the same brand of camera and ask if they want to trade lenses for a week.
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No.07Look at photographers that inspire you.
These are just a few of the blogs I look at for inspiration and motivation.
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No.08Take a workshop.
This is probably the BEST way to get out of a rut. If I am ever stuck and take a workshop, I am quickly snapped out of it. Click here to learn more about Ultimate Intro to Photography.
Great ideas. I can’t believe you didn’t put my blog as your inspiriation…ha ha! :)
These are great tips – thanks Courtney!
awesome ideas! i need to try a few of these considering i’ve been in a huge photography rut for almost a month :( it’s depressing haha
great tips! thanks for sharing :-D i will check out a few of the photogs you mentioned that i don’t know.
hugs!
jill
Fantastic post Courtney! Some great information and inspiration. Sometimes just a change of scenery or equipment can be inspiring. I believed I didn’t like the kit lens (50-200) that came with my camera, but this past week I’ve used it a few times and have a new appreciation for it.
So very true!!
I obviously don’t use it often as today when I had it on I realised it’s actually 55-250mm
Awesome tips! I wish I could afford a workshop.
Very true!! When I am really feeling blah I can look at Ashley’s Scavenger Hunt items and get inspired. It gives me something to look for and focus on.
Thanks for posting the tips. They are excellent
Thanks for the tips. I have so much to learn still that many people inspire me! One of my favorites that I found a few months ago was Paint the Moon Photography. I’m always amazed.
I love this post! I need some help getting jump-started. Thanks, Courtney!
My pleasure!! Can’t wait to see some of your photos!
Great ideas!
This is so what I needed to hear! Feel like I hit a wall this week! Partly this is due to having so much else to do, but also my kids don’t want to be in anymore photos! I’m trying to find moments that just aren’t there right now. Also, I just shot a bunch of garbage today at our aquarium. Too many people, too many lighting and noise issues. Argh! I feel like I need to take a deep breath, a few days off and then push forward again.