We have all had it hit us, a creative block. Some point we feel meh with our photography. I’ve encountered more creative blocks than I care to count. I know how frustrating it can be to try and break out of a rut and get caught up being critical. When this sort of thing happens, there are several ways to approach it.

Stop Trying So Hard

I think this has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn. But I can’t stress this one enough. It’s easier said than done, but one of the best things you can do for yourself is to stop trying so hard. Let go. If you need to step away from your camera for a little bit, by all means take a break! Just do it. Sometimes stepping away from something for a while can not only be refreshing but just the thing you need to break out of a creative rut.

Revisit Old Images

Go back and look at some of your old work. Edit old images that you may have overlooked previously. This is one way to help draw inspiration
and possibly spark new ideas. Re-editing a photo that you’ve previously thought was spectacular is a fun exercise. I know I’ve changed my style over the years and seeing the proof in one photo that I love can be motivating.

Visit A New Location

Go location scouting, plan an excursion to a place you have never visited or a place you haven’t visited in a while! Head out for a day and discover new locations. I often hop in our vehicle and just drive around with the kids.

I have a personal Google Map that has all my locations mapped. I visit them and update my listings and make notes. I bring the kids and we all have fun.

Try Something New

This is one of my favorite ways to break out of a photography rut. If I feel like the work I’m producing isn’t very versatile, I try something new. Try copying a photo you’ve seen in a commerical, album cover or Instagram. My favorite subjects to photograph are my boys, but I often take breaks from photographing them to try out something different.

Film

Return to or get started in film. Flagship film cameras from all major manufactures are cheap on Ebay now days. Grab a roll of 400 speed C-41 or B&W film and get to work learning a new medium. You can get as in-depth as a home darkroom and scanning negatives or just sending off your film and get back the digital files from a lab. Shooting film can reignite your passion for capturing images.

Macro.

I’ve taken out my macro lens to capture nature shots or portraits. I love documenting eyelashes. I typically have to raise my ISO more often then I would with other lenses. This is where auto-ISO comes in handy. Don’t forget to also try macro with and without a flash

In-Camera Double Exposure.

I’ve researched how to process an in-camera double exposure for my camera and spent an entire day devoted to trying it out. Not all cameras have this ability, but it’s where your camera basically layers multiple images on top of each other. Check your camera’s manual to find out if yours has this capability.

Free-lensing.

I’ve taken out my 50mm to try my hand at free-lensing and still photography. Free-lensing (or poor man’s tilt-shift/macro) is where you detach your lens from your camera, hold in place with your hand and tilt. It creates a small, tilted focal plane where most of the image is blurry. I use my backup camera though as I’m paranoid about dust.

Draw Inspiration From the Art World

Drawing inspiration from things other than photography is another great way to escape a creative block. Study art by visiting a museum or online, and really study it… don’t just glance at it. Learn the lighting of a famous painting. Another idea is to watch a movie or listen to music. Try to recreate the feeling in a photograph.

Draw Inspiration From Other Photographers

We all have photographers that we look up to. Study their work and discover what you love about their work so much. A couple of mine are Regina Pagles and John Keatly. Get lost in a photography forum. There is practically an endless amount of tutorials, photography tips, on them that can help you break out of a creative rut.

Draw Inspiration From Your Family

Challenge yourself to capture your everyday, and include yourself in the frame. Remember to change your angles to include different perspectives and feelings. Follow a day in the life for an inanimate lovey of one of your kids. Try an immersion study with one of your children and follow them around all day capturing their daily routine.

Just know that it’s ok to take a break from your camera if you need it. I know there’s a lot of pressure to consistently create. Sometimes the photos I love the most have little to do with perfect light and composition, and more about a specific moment in time that means far more to me than anyone else can see just by looking at the image.

Remember art and creating is all about how it makes us feel.