Curiosity would be at the top of my list too Gill, along with experimentation and ‘what if’. Persistence too. We are all inherently creative, but education, work and life can knock this out of us in the rush to get the right answer, and to conform. It takes a certain amount of confidence, or perhaps stubbornness, to find and follow your own path. It’s an evolution over time, and not necessarily a linear path. And I think too that it is as much about what the heart says as the head. The only bullet point I would hesitate over is always being productive; if we look too closely at what everyone else is apparently doing, we introduce a pressure to be creative, to produce, and potentially to conform. Enjoy your travels!
Thank you so much for your comments Michela and especially the link that you shared. I found the article really interesting, although somewhat shocking that school can extinguish all the natural creativity from children. The idea of seeking out our inner child is one I have heard before and I think it is really relevant where creativity is concerned.
I don't think I made the point about being productive very well - I was more thinking about taking images on a regular basis or at least taking the camera out regularly. I often become inspired on a walk and don't always have my camera. I do also feel that one image can lead to the next and a good image is often built on the back of several failures.
Yes, it’s so important to open ourselves up to opportunity rather than waiting until we have more time, or the right conditions, or… It is so important to not fear failure, and this is the strength of digital: feedback at the time and less pressure to economise on ‘captures’. With film there was an inherent lag and economy… From my own experience I know that we learn so much more from what doesn’t work than if we try to get it right first time, perhaps through happy accident.
I think your last bullet - "making the art that makes us happy." - is key. In my experience creativity will always flourish when you are in a happy space. While it is possible when in other mindsets, it will never just flow. While you may be struggling with your project beach, my guess is you will find your groove and it will come with time.
Thank you very much for your comments Giles. You are right, and I do believe that is the most important thing. Making art that makes us happy is fundamental to making good work. I think if we don't care about our work then we can't expect anyone else to! 🙂
Coming from a scientific background , it’s all about observing, experimenting (often trial and error) problem solving and assessing the results. Some people have the ability to come up with wacky ideas out of the blue, but I’d argue that the scientific approach is just as creative! Your teacher knew what the examiners would be looking for, just as people who enter photography competitions know the criteria the judges use – is that creativity?
Creating is just “making stuff” but the problem is that there’s so much “stuff” out there already, highly visible nowadays, so nothing seems unique. A lot of “creativity techniques” aimed at photographers are actually using software and mixed media ideas, pushing the boundaries somewhat. I suppose I think of as “good photograph” as one which has captured the moment – light, expression, movement, juxtaposition, detail – something, depending on genre. The photographer has only been able to capture that by observing and having the technical expertise to respond quickly to the situation – and that only comes with experience, trial & error in a variety of situations & a lot of practice!
Anyway, have a good break, enjoy Scotland, and don’t forget that females are the worst at doubting themselves and worrying about “imposter syndrome”!
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. I think you are right about creativity and teachers / judges etc. Working to a formula doesn't feel very creative to me.
I agree with your definition of a good photograph and also agree that observation is key. It's amazing how many people I come across on workshops who don't spend enough time looking and I think that is so important, after all if you can't see it, you can't photograph it.
Creativity means coming up with new ideas or looking at things differently. It's about thinking outside of the box and making connections between things that others may not see, and expressing myself differently. I rarely take pictures without putting a creative slant on them -it's how my brain works!
It's way too easy, I have found, to over think this notion of making art and being creative. I've been there recently (https://ernestjschweit.substack.com/p/unblocking-the-artists-block?r=eapbl). In fact, I still linger there. In the end, it's like Andy Warhol once said,"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.
I wonder if practice is important. You mentioned being productive, but I think that was in the photographic sense; more broadly, we can practice being creative all the time, even in mundane tasks.
For example, do we always take the same route to the supermarket? Do we often cook the same meals? Do we have often the same combination of friends round for drinks or food?
Other skills are learnt this way (learning to play an instrument requires practice), so why not creativity?
Thank you for your comments Mark, and I agree with this idea. I think the more we question things and think outside of the box the more chance we have of developing our creative thinking. I think the key thing is to question why we always do something in the way that we do it.
Interesting article Gill – I think your bullet point list encompasses what creativity is although the point about being constantly productive could also be a block. By this I mean that by putting ourselves under pressure to constantly produce work of a certain quality could lead to frustration and losing our creative mojo. If I am uninspired by a place through over familiarity, I would prefer to have a camera with me and just wander, looking more deeply for a different subject that I can work with maybe in a different way for fun to see what I can create, than to try and force inspiration that isn’t there.
I also find that taking a break and a change of scenery to somewhere I don’t regularly visit helps to reinspire me when I’m feeling creatively stuck, so your trip to Scotland where you can focus on your own creative development is probably coming just at the right time…enjoy the break and have some fun!
I think I failed to explain the constantly productive point properly. What I actually meant was to regularly take photos, not necessarily of a certain standard but just experimenting with the camera. I feel good images are developed over time and the more we practice the more things evolve.
Taking a break definitely works for me and I am looking forward to my time away and a change of scene. Hopefully I will come back re inspired! 🙂
I love Rick Rubin’s take on creativity. I also agree with most points that you mentioned except for constantly being productive. I think that that could lead to feeling uninspired. Taking breaks and nurturing yourself differently is so important. I also believe that creative ruts are an important part of being a creator, a very challenging but normal part.
Everything else you mentioned is definitely very important, curiosity and paying attention most of all.
I do want to reiterate that feeling like nothing speaks to you is definitely not fun.
What often brings back a spark for me is exploring new to me artists and reading about their creative process.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic! It’s something I think about a lot, too.
Thank you very much for your comments Manuela. I think they are all really valid. I love exploring new artists and reading about how others work. I also like reading around subjects that I am interested in as sometimes this can spark creativity. I think the key for me is to stay curious and to keep looking for things that inspire me.
i am the teacher of your teacher and i can tell you you're doing very well. don't worry about anything, just do what you're doing and if doing it makes you happy, it's all that matters
Lovely topic and beautiful images! I believe that creativity begins with openness, as you expressed here, but that it's not something that can be controlled. For me, my best moments come from an openness and curiosity that comes after a period of being shut down. I believe in the muse! She comes around when she pleases. I just have to be open and ready.
Hmm, ok. We all struggle with creativity from time to time, myself definitely included. I've been reaching for it this whole year so far. The essence that I've distilled so far that works for me is this-
- Photography (or any art) is very basically how I see and want to portray part of the world.
- Creativity, then, is very basically answering the question of 'how can I view this differently?'
Those points you summed up with at the end of this essay are a perfect guide for answering that question of how to view something differently. And also, I believe that creative does not have to equal good. At least, not at first. Take as an example my underwater action camera photos from earlier this year. None of that would be worthy of a portfolio, but some results were compelling. Ultimately, it really expanded my worldview and, in a way, still influences my other photography. It was quite literally an attempt to see the world from a different perspective.
When some of the results of our creative attempts ring true, we can refine them from there. Perhaps craft the idea into something that truly inspires us. The Muse sees us working on that and will return!
Thank you for your comments Erik. There are some great points here especially your comment about being creative doesn't have to equal good. There is a tendency not to experiment for a fear of failure and I do think that can hold us back. Your underwater experiments have proved that there is really value in trying.
I see it as a kind of spectrum. On the one side is what we are familiar with and do with confidence. The other is where we experiment and play, but we have to be able to do that without the pressure of coming up with any great results. But, when we find something interesting in these creative attempts, we can work to pull it towards the side of familiarity and confidence and may then create something excellent. At least, that's my hope!
Another very good blog Gill. Creativity is an interesting subject. I’m not naturally creative but far more practical by nature. Some people are lucky enough to be born with it, but maybe they struggle in other ways. Give a naturally creative person a brush or camera and they’d probably produce some fantastic images from what they visualise, but they may struggle with other types of composition. I guess I’m trying to say there is always a balance with these things. I think we probably all suffer with imposter syndrome, but it must be harder for a professional like yourself. Trying something new like your wonderful multiple exposure daffodils or taking a break I’m sure can help. For some reason I always remember what they said about Kevin Keegan years ago. Not a “natural” footballer but he worked really hard to improve before he made the big time. I guess that means we just need to keep experimenting with our creativity. Enjoy Bonny Scotland!
Thank you very much for your comments David and I can relate to much of what you have said. I have never felt I was naturally creative but I can be inspired by a lot of things and I think that helps.
I love the quote about Kevin Keegan, and I think that applies to most things. If we want to excel at something we have to put in the effort. Hopefully I will be re inspired while I am away - it usually works! 🙂
Interesting post, the bullet points on what is creativity seem to sum it up! Perhaps as amateurs trialing different genres is easy, we have nothing to loose, we take photographs for our own pleasure, and after all it's just a hobby! For a professional it would appear to me to be more of a problem, as photography provides the income, you have established a 'style' and a client base, and the sausage machine needs to be fed. Putting time into change can move away from the norm, and the fear is, will this work, can it be sold, will income be lost? I follow some other photographers, and have noted a couple of ideas recently, one, from Alister Benn's expressive photography, being changing the aspect ratio of the taken image to remove that which doesn't work, the other, from Mark McGee, the number of images that can be produced from a single shot! Both seem to be breaking rules usually portrayed, to become more creative! Also Kim Grant's recent blog, sitting, taking stock of what can be seen throughout one's vision, including the perifiable, then taking images to reflect this, similar in many respects to the former, this time honing into the view, wide or close, again as a step in creativity.
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. I found all the recommendations and mentions of others work really interesting. They are all really valid ways to push our creativity.
From my perspective, sometime I feel the pressure to produce work can actually stifle my creativity. I feel that I need to be seen to be making images all the time and really that is not feasible. I find it actually leads to poor image making.
I am looking forward to some time away to recharge my batteries and reinvigorate my creativity. I find a change of scene is always good for this. 🙂
Great post. I always think about creativity in terms of new connections - ideas, collaborations, concepts or techniques - mixed and understood in new ways. I like Ricks book but find it sometimes a little too idealistic and avoids the real challenges we face, personal and professional
Thank you very much for your comments James, and I think that is a great way to think about creativity. Those things always seem to inspire ideas in me.
Great post Gill. Those daffodil photographs are incredible!
This morning I went out for sunrise except it turned cloudy and dull. I was feeling uninspired so didn't take any photo's, but I did keep my mind and eyes open.
Then as I was walking through the small wood, the diffused light was magical against the horse chestnut leaves and inspiration struck!
I think having an open mindset and awareness of your surroundings really is the key ingredient.
Creativity can mean anything I think and what one person does for creativity (e.g. a lot of photoshop work or a certain photography technique) may not be our style. We could try it sure, but would it really be 'us'.
Curiosity would be at the top of my list too Gill, along with experimentation and ‘what if’. Persistence too. We are all inherently creative, but education, work and life can knock this out of us in the rush to get the right answer, and to conform. It takes a certain amount of confidence, or perhaps stubbornness, to find and follow your own path. It’s an evolution over time, and not necessarily a linear path. And I think too that it is as much about what the heart says as the head. The only bullet point I would hesitate over is always being productive; if we look too closely at what everyone else is apparently doing, we introduce a pressure to be creative, to produce, and potentially to conform. Enjoy your travels!
I’m not sure this is necessarily the best link, but if you haven’t come across George Lund’s study it is interesting to read about it. https://www.educationnext.in/posts/the-surprising-truth-growing-up-can-make-us-less-genius
Thank you so much for your comments Michela and especially the link that you shared. I found the article really interesting, although somewhat shocking that school can extinguish all the natural creativity from children. The idea of seeking out our inner child is one I have heard before and I think it is really relevant where creativity is concerned.
I don't think I made the point about being productive very well - I was more thinking about taking images on a regular basis or at least taking the camera out regularly. I often become inspired on a walk and don't always have my camera. I do also feel that one image can lead to the next and a good image is often built on the back of several failures.
Yes, it’s so important to open ourselves up to opportunity rather than waiting until we have more time, or the right conditions, or… It is so important to not fear failure, and this is the strength of digital: feedback at the time and less pressure to economise on ‘captures’. With film there was an inherent lag and economy… From my own experience I know that we learn so much more from what doesn’t work than if we try to get it right first time, perhaps through happy accident.
A great post and set of photos, as always Gill.
I think your last bullet - "making the art that makes us happy." - is key. In my experience creativity will always flourish when you are in a happy space. While it is possible when in other mindsets, it will never just flow. While you may be struggling with your project beach, my guess is you will find your groove and it will come with time.
Thank you very much for your comments Giles. You are right, and I do believe that is the most important thing. Making art that makes us happy is fundamental to making good work. I think if we don't care about our work then we can't expect anyone else to! 🙂
Coming from a scientific background , it’s all about observing, experimenting (often trial and error) problem solving and assessing the results. Some people have the ability to come up with wacky ideas out of the blue, but I’d argue that the scientific approach is just as creative! Your teacher knew what the examiners would be looking for, just as people who enter photography competitions know the criteria the judges use – is that creativity?
Creating is just “making stuff” but the problem is that there’s so much “stuff” out there already, highly visible nowadays, so nothing seems unique. A lot of “creativity techniques” aimed at photographers are actually using software and mixed media ideas, pushing the boundaries somewhat. I suppose I think of as “good photograph” as one which has captured the moment – light, expression, movement, juxtaposition, detail – something, depending on genre. The photographer has only been able to capture that by observing and having the technical expertise to respond quickly to the situation – and that only comes with experience, trial & error in a variety of situations & a lot of practice!
Anyway, have a good break, enjoy Scotland, and don’t forget that females are the worst at doubting themselves and worrying about “imposter syndrome”!
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. I think you are right about creativity and teachers / judges etc. Working to a formula doesn't feel very creative to me.
I agree with your definition of a good photograph and also agree that observation is key. It's amazing how many people I come across on workshops who don't spend enough time looking and I think that is so important, after all if you can't see it, you can't photograph it.
Creativity means coming up with new ideas or looking at things differently. It's about thinking outside of the box and making connections between things that others may not see, and expressing myself differently. I rarely take pictures without putting a creative slant on them -it's how my brain works!
Thats a great definition Kim, thank you for commenting. 🙂
It's way too easy, I have found, to over think this notion of making art and being creative. I've been there recently (https://ernestjschweit.substack.com/p/unblocking-the-artists-block?r=eapbl). In fact, I still linger there. In the end, it's like Andy Warhol once said,"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.
I agree Ernest.
Thank you for your comments and for the link, I enjoyed reading your article.
I wonder if practice is important. You mentioned being productive, but I think that was in the photographic sense; more broadly, we can practice being creative all the time, even in mundane tasks.
For example, do we always take the same route to the supermarket? Do we often cook the same meals? Do we have often the same combination of friends round for drinks or food?
Other skills are learnt this way (learning to play an instrument requires practice), so why not creativity?
Thank you for your comments Mark, and I agree with this idea. I think the more we question things and think outside of the box the more chance we have of developing our creative thinking. I think the key thing is to question why we always do something in the way that we do it.
Interesting article Gill – I think your bullet point list encompasses what creativity is although the point about being constantly productive could also be a block. By this I mean that by putting ourselves under pressure to constantly produce work of a certain quality could lead to frustration and losing our creative mojo. If I am uninspired by a place through over familiarity, I would prefer to have a camera with me and just wander, looking more deeply for a different subject that I can work with maybe in a different way for fun to see what I can create, than to try and force inspiration that isn’t there.
I also find that taking a break and a change of scenery to somewhere I don’t regularly visit helps to reinspire me when I’m feeling creatively stuck, so your trip to Scotland where you can focus on your own creative development is probably coming just at the right time…enjoy the break and have some fun!
Thank you so much for your comments Lin.
I think I failed to explain the constantly productive point properly. What I actually meant was to regularly take photos, not necessarily of a certain standard but just experimenting with the camera. I feel good images are developed over time and the more we practice the more things evolve.
Taking a break definitely works for me and I am looking forward to my time away and a change of scene. Hopefully I will come back re inspired! 🙂
Ahh, I understand - yes experimenting and having fun practicing with the camera regularly does lead to our photography evolving.😊
All of today’s photos are strikingly beautiful!
Thank you very much Skyye. 🙂
I love Rick Rubin’s take on creativity. I also agree with most points that you mentioned except for constantly being productive. I think that that could lead to feeling uninspired. Taking breaks and nurturing yourself differently is so important. I also believe that creative ruts are an important part of being a creator, a very challenging but normal part.
Everything else you mentioned is definitely very important, curiosity and paying attention most of all.
I do want to reiterate that feeling like nothing speaks to you is definitely not fun.
What often brings back a spark for me is exploring new to me artists and reading about their creative process.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic! It’s something I think about a lot, too.
Thank you very much for your comments Manuela. I think they are all really valid. I love exploring new artists and reading about how others work. I also like reading around subjects that I am interested in as sometimes this can spark creativity. I think the key for me is to stay curious and to keep looking for things that inspire me.
i am the teacher of your teacher and i can tell you you're doing very well. don't worry about anything, just do what you're doing and if doing it makes you happy, it's all that matters
Thank you very much for your kind comments. 🙂
Lovely topic and beautiful images! I believe that creativity begins with openness, as you expressed here, but that it's not something that can be controlled. For me, my best moments come from an openness and curiosity that comes after a period of being shut down. I believe in the muse! She comes around when she pleases. I just have to be open and ready.
Thank you very much for your comments Juliette. I think I definitely have to be open to creativity and the more I force it the less inspired I am.
Hmm, ok. We all struggle with creativity from time to time, myself definitely included. I've been reaching for it this whole year so far. The essence that I've distilled so far that works for me is this-
- Photography (or any art) is very basically how I see and want to portray part of the world.
- Creativity, then, is very basically answering the question of 'how can I view this differently?'
Those points you summed up with at the end of this essay are a perfect guide for answering that question of how to view something differently. And also, I believe that creative does not have to equal good. At least, not at first. Take as an example my underwater action camera photos from earlier this year. None of that would be worthy of a portfolio, but some results were compelling. Ultimately, it really expanded my worldview and, in a way, still influences my other photography. It was quite literally an attempt to see the world from a different perspective.
When some of the results of our creative attempts ring true, we can refine them from there. Perhaps craft the idea into something that truly inspires us. The Muse sees us working on that and will return!
Thank you for your comments Erik. There are some great points here especially your comment about being creative doesn't have to equal good. There is a tendency not to experiment for a fear of failure and I do think that can hold us back. Your underwater experiments have proved that there is really value in trying.
I see it as a kind of spectrum. On the one side is what we are familiar with and do with confidence. The other is where we experiment and play, but we have to be able to do that without the pressure of coming up with any great results. But, when we find something interesting in these creative attempts, we can work to pull it towards the side of familiarity and confidence and may then create something excellent. At least, that's my hope!
Another very good blog Gill. Creativity is an interesting subject. I’m not naturally creative but far more practical by nature. Some people are lucky enough to be born with it, but maybe they struggle in other ways. Give a naturally creative person a brush or camera and they’d probably produce some fantastic images from what they visualise, but they may struggle with other types of composition. I guess I’m trying to say there is always a balance with these things. I think we probably all suffer with imposter syndrome, but it must be harder for a professional like yourself. Trying something new like your wonderful multiple exposure daffodils or taking a break I’m sure can help. For some reason I always remember what they said about Kevin Keegan years ago. Not a “natural” footballer but he worked really hard to improve before he made the big time. I guess that means we just need to keep experimenting with our creativity. Enjoy Bonny Scotland!
Thank you very much for your comments David and I can relate to much of what you have said. I have never felt I was naturally creative but I can be inspired by a lot of things and I think that helps.
I love the quote about Kevin Keegan, and I think that applies to most things. If we want to excel at something we have to put in the effort. Hopefully I will be re inspired while I am away - it usually works! 🙂
Interesting post, the bullet points on what is creativity seem to sum it up! Perhaps as amateurs trialing different genres is easy, we have nothing to loose, we take photographs for our own pleasure, and after all it's just a hobby! For a professional it would appear to me to be more of a problem, as photography provides the income, you have established a 'style' and a client base, and the sausage machine needs to be fed. Putting time into change can move away from the norm, and the fear is, will this work, can it be sold, will income be lost? I follow some other photographers, and have noted a couple of ideas recently, one, from Alister Benn's expressive photography, being changing the aspect ratio of the taken image to remove that which doesn't work, the other, from Mark McGee, the number of images that can be produced from a single shot! Both seem to be breaking rules usually portrayed, to become more creative! Also Kim Grant's recent blog, sitting, taking stock of what can be seen throughout one's vision, including the perifiable, then taking images to reflect this, similar in many respects to the former, this time honing into the view, wide or close, again as a step in creativity.
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. I found all the recommendations and mentions of others work really interesting. They are all really valid ways to push our creativity.
From my perspective, sometime I feel the pressure to produce work can actually stifle my creativity. I feel that I need to be seen to be making images all the time and really that is not feasible. I find it actually leads to poor image making.
I am looking forward to some time away to recharge my batteries and reinvigorate my creativity. I find a change of scene is always good for this. 🙂
Enjoy, your break, relax, take some time out, without the camera perhaps? I am sure though, there will be some new images to share!😀
Great post. I always think about creativity in terms of new connections - ideas, collaborations, concepts or techniques - mixed and understood in new ways. I like Ricks book but find it sometimes a little too idealistic and avoids the real challenges we face, personal and professional
Thank you very much for your comments James, and I think that is a great way to think about creativity. Those things always seem to inspire ideas in me.
Great post Gill. Those daffodil photographs are incredible!
This morning I went out for sunrise except it turned cloudy and dull. I was feeling uninspired so didn't take any photo's, but I did keep my mind and eyes open.
Then as I was walking through the small wood, the diffused light was magical against the horse chestnut leaves and inspiration struck!
I think having an open mindset and awareness of your surroundings really is the key ingredient.
Creativity can mean anything I think and what one person does for creativity (e.g. a lot of photoshop work or a certain photography technique) may not be our style. We could try it sure, but would it really be 'us'.
A lot to think about here, thankyou! 🙏