Artists of all genres experience a creative block from time to time. When it happens, it bites. The signs of a creative block many times are quite obvious. Other times? Well, sometimes we don’t realize we’ve entered that negative spot until it shows in our work.
That rut? It’s not a fun place to be! The reality? All over the globe, photographers and other artists go through this at one point or another.
The featured image above is by Brooke Thorburn of @b_still_photos.
Want to get out of your next creative block? Several awesome photographers are sharing their tips with us including:
- How they know they’re in a creative rut and
- How they work through their creative blocks
Plus, we’re including several images and links to their Instagram pages for additional inspiration. I find encouragement and energy from these and many other photographers across my social and local network.
One important note: To all of the contributors below in today’s blog, thank you. Your work, artistry and words are admired and respected.
Photographers Share How They Escape Their Creative Block
Paula Liimatta – Enjoy the Moment You’re In @liimatta_photo
Since all of my photography usually comes from nature, I take walks or longer hikes without my camera for a few weeks. It forces me to just enjoy the moment.
Plus, I don’t think or “worry” about how I need to capture the scene correctly as a photograph. I also look for something new that peaks my interest. Many times I take notes to return later with my camera.
Finally, if I’m not feeling creative enough to tackle landscapes, I will photograph horses or animals. It’s always fun and creative in a different way.
Craig Sterken – Winter Weather Cures the Creative Block @csterken
When I’m in a photography dry spell, I get out and shoot. Even if it just means going downtown and strolling around to look for urban shots. Or, I go to the local state park. At the park, I’ll hike a couple trails, take my time and just enjoy nature. Usually, I find something that speaks to me and gets my juices flowing again.
Recently I visited Dow Gardens, not far from my home, during a snow storm. I planned on going for an hour or so. Instead, I stayed the whole day as I just found one shot after another. It was great to be out in the falling snow.
I didn’t see anyone else and the blanket of snow just instilled a sense of peace and quiet.
Brooke Thorburn – Creative Block = Photography Funk! @b_still_photos
When I run into a photography rut or funk as I like to call it, I try to use it as an opportunity to mix things up. It’s time to step out of my comfort zone so to speak.
Last winter I found myself in a funk during a stretch of dark and gloomy days. Clouds covered the skies and sunshine for several days. The gloom and gray sapped my motivation from going out and shooting my favorite landscape spots. So I dusted off my macro lens, set up a mini studio at my kitchen table and started practicing.
I watched dozens of Youtube videos on water droplets and splash photography. I follow photographers on Facebook, Instagram and Flickr. These photographers shared lighting, camera settings when I asked for tips. It’s so fun to learning something new. The challenge offered a nice change of pace. That is, until the sunshine brought me back outside!
For an inside photography project check out: DIY Abstract Photography Project
Sarah Goodwin – Adventure is the Creative Block Cure @sg.captures
“For me, I find that boredom sets in with shooting the ‘same ole, same ole’. This is especially applicable to shooting at the same location(s). This in itself can lead me right down the ‘creative rut’ road. I need to constantly ‘switch things up’ and experience a new adventure! To keep that inspiration going strong I am always researching / exploring new locations. The challenge from researching and exploring new locations is an adventure in itself!
Of the locations I have already experienced, I am sure to alternate them to keep things interesting, fresh and exciting. A trip a new or favorite destination (even if just a day trip), works wonders when needing a ‘creative boost’! I also find that looking at others art and photography provides inspiration!
Sometimes, my favorite fellow photographers captures from other locations offers creative inspiration and motivation.
Jeane Blazic – Trust the Process @jeane.blazic
I don’t worry too much about creative slumps, because there are always new places, spaces, and light to explore. One of the greatest things I’ve learned through photography is simply to keep going.
I trust the process, and new creative horizons will make their own way in their own time.
Corey Niedzwiecki – Pushing Past the Creative Block @corey_niedzwiecki
II think it’s easy to get set in certain ways. For me, I’ll often get to a point where I start feeling like all my pictures kind of look the same. I don’t know if it’s a block? Or, maybe just a lack of passion for photography in that moment because of my pictures not living up to my expectations.
To get past the block, I push myself to take more pictures and in different ways. I continue learning to diversify or just improve the quality of what I’m doing.
There’s definitely a talent to taking pictures. There’s also a lot of luck. The more often you’re taking pictures the better your chances of getting good ones. So just making myself get out and do it is usually the best remedy.
Alex Taubin – Creative Block Is a Sign of Artistic Growth @tau666
I can’t say exactly if I do experience creative block, but I do photograph much less than before. I think the reason is that when you evolve as a photographer, you reach a point when you stop photographing everything you see. Instead, you start to look for more specific and unique stuff.
Our ability as a photographer to estimate and understand how the photo we just took will look improves with experience. And, it continues to get better! I guess what I’m trying to say that possibly when we think that we’re experiencing a creative block, it actually means that maybe we’re more strict about our photos.
To deal with that situation, I decided to take photos every single day in the environment that I live, with my phone. I’ll choose one best photo and add it to a dedicated folder. And of course, I will be still photographing with my main camera and drone.
Karen Allmond – Find Happy Places @my_michigan_moments
One sign for me that I know that I’m in a creative block is little motivation to share my images. I sometimes feel like I’m not in the same category as a lot of photographers out there. My locales are not as enticing. I feel that my editing skills are not up to par. Plus, I don’t get the engagement as others do. I’m my own worst critic.
How I try to get out of the block is to just get out there and keep pushing forward. I go to a favorite location. Or, I lgo to a new location that I’ve been wanting to visit. I think the likes factor on Instagram can be a bit intimidating. We are not numbers, we are photographers. We are people, people with a vision, people who want to convey and share a moment behind the camera. I think those numbers can be very intimidating and counterproductive.
So, to answer that how to get out of the block? Push forward, go to places that make you happy or spark that fire. And lastly, try not to worry too much about the numbers.
Karen Farrell – Back to My Roots – @karfar
I can tell when I’m in a creative block because I start having too many expectations about my work. And, I feel defeated. Once I realize this, I get back out there.
I search the inspiration that made me fall in love with photography in the first place, and just have fun with it. As for me, photography is an endless and wonderful journey!
Mark Smith – Step Away & Clean Out the Sock Drawer – @downstreamer7
When the weather closes in and the sun disappears for days at a time, I start to brood. I scroll through old photos but can’t find anything to work on. Routines don’t help any more, so I just walk away for a few days and try to do something practical, like cleaning out my sock drawer. 🙂 The wonderful thing is that time passes all by itself. And so do creative blocks, especially when the weather improves. 🙂
When I look back at the times my work felt at a standstill, there were three key observations leading up to the dive into an unproductive space. What were they? And more important, how to see the signs before the creative block happens?
Aubrieta Hope – Escaping the Creative Block with Beauty @aubrietahope
If I find myself feeling blocked creatively, I take a break, put the camera down for a few minutes or even a day or two. Then I set out for one of my very favorite locations, a place that always inspires me.
There’s nothing quite like the power of a beautiful location to cure any creative block!
Nick Irwin – Time to Hit the Road @irwin.nick
When I’m in a slump or “bored” with going to the same place or taking simlar shots I look into booking a trip… longer term of course. Short term I switch it up. I shift from Lakeshore to city, or play with DoF (depth of field) shots. The most important thing is to remember it should be fun and not a burden!
Jim Burnham – Going Back & Forth @burnhamarts
I guess the question for me is how do I know when I’m not blocked? And, at what point do I go back to being blocked?
I consider myself always blocked until I’m not. The latter is the majority of the time. I usually don’t go specifically looking for a photo. Instead, I let the photo grab me as I’m walking by.
Additionally, I usually never go with a target or scene preconceived. That’s why I might go to Half Dome but remain blocked. The reason? Because I know I can’t create an image that someone else hasn’t created before. Doesn’t mean I won’t take a photo, it just means less to me creatively than, for example, fleeting experiences that I know will not materialize again.
When I set my tripod down, or get into a position when I slow my breathing, or sit watching a fabulous sunset (like snowflakes, all unique), I’m unblocked. But, I’m never actively trying to be.
Moving Forward
We all experience a creative block from time to time. Sometimes we know it and work through it right away. Other times, we just need a break or a location reset to get the creative snaps going again.
Whatever the case is, there’s an awesome network of photographers who inspire each other every day without even knowing their impact. More than likely, you’re inspiring someone else by sharing your work, your perspective on a subject.
Here’s to a great year ahead of photography, making wonderful memories and taking images along the way. Happy shooting!
