Comments on: 60 Sources of Inspiration for Photography

By: San Diego wedding photography

San Diego wedding photography — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:46:53 +0000

Wow! Priceless info!

By: Photography News

Photography News — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:13:15 +0000

Great post thanks, if you are looking for inspiration I would look no further than the faces of children, if you can get them to behave nautrally there are thousands of emotions through the range to try.

By: Kelli Nixon

Kelli Nixon — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:47:53 +0000

Great list to stay inspired. Thanks so much for sharing. I like to get out and shoot for myself. Often, we are just shooting for the money and not for the joy of shooting. That can make you uninspired as an artist. My hubby and I like to take photo tours. Just go somewhere with our cameras and see who can take the most interesting photos.

By: Shaun Edwards Photography

Shaun Edwards Photography — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:14:46 +0000

One thing I like to do is get back to basics to get inspired. Dig out my 35 year old manual Nikon camera with one lens (normally a 35mm). And load a roll of black and white film - remember that stuff?!?!

Or REALLY back to basics and make a pinhole camera - that is a LOT of fun.

By: ranpagh

ranpagh — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:29:56 +0000

amazing list of inspiration.
i have read all the comments here before mine.
now its not just 60 sources of inspiration for photography, it's a LOT.
thanks to your post and to all who comments here.

By: Michael Axel

Michael Axel — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:00:48 +0000

Here are a couple that I use (though I'm seldom bored with photography):
- Use a different camera or system. If you shoot with Nikon, go get, or borrow, a Pentax or Minolta.
- Shoot different formats. If you shoot DSLRs, go shoot some B&W 120 film.
- Buy an old camera: Load up 120 film in an old Brownie and see how creative you can get.
- Cross process some film (develop negative film in E-6 for example).
- Shoot some instant film (Polaroid or Fuji).
- Buy an alternative, or toy camera, like a Holga or Diana.
- One of my favorites is to mount a non standard lens on your camera. Take just a 200mm lens with you all day. Or 135mm or 20mm, and nothing else.
- See how many crops you can make off a single image (get a dozen or so photos from the original, just by cropping it). If you can't print yourself or have photoshop, force yourself to shoot a dozen different and unique angles of a single subject.
- Shoot all your images at two stops too bright, or too dark, forcing you to find subject that lend themselves to such techniques.
- Shoot everything "wide open" and close up to play with DOF effects.
- Shoot all your images today looking up, or all shot down to the ground.
- Find an interesting old neighborhood or alley, and take pictures of details.
- Try out food photography. See how well you can photograph your lunch or dinner to make it look appetizing.
- Photograph everyday objects, like silverware, or pickles.
- Stand downtown and ask everyone that walks by if you can take their picture.
- Take pictures of just everyone's feet.
- Take only reflections.
- Focus only on taking images of shadows, and not what is around them.
- Shoot only water, fountains, lakes, etc.
- Shoot photos from your car: at fast food places (yuk!), stuck in traffic, through your sunroof, or better yet, out the window when you're driving fast. Don't blame me if you crash.

The list of possibilities is endless.

By: Girls Only Portraits

Girls Only Portraits — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:58:23 +0000

I think my favorite is 'Just Shoot Away'. It never fails to provide new ideas for future shoots. Some great ideas here.

By: Make the Moment Last Photography

Make the Moment Last Photography — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:41:37 +0000

I love the list! I've really enjoyed trying out a few of the ideas that I never would have thought of.

By: Aspen Wedding Photographer

Aspen Wedding Photographer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:13:43 +0000

I love it. Great source of inspiration for photographers.

By: Palm Beach Wedding Photographer

Palm Beach Wedding Photographer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:38:47 +0000

Great inspiration, makes me want to go grab my camera and take some photos. Photography seems to be a sense of therapy to many of us....

By: Gino Siller Photography

Gino Siller Photography — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:43:17 +0000

These are all great tips. I love to photograph at flea markets. Not only is there some great junk to look at, but the the people are great. Its almost like going to Wal-Mart late at night.....

By: Manchester Canvas Printing

Manchester Canvas Printing — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:32:19 +0000

Thanks for the inspiration, when I find myself hitting a creative wall I refer back to this list and it gives me renewed vigour.

By: Otto Haring

Otto Haring — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:30:48 +0000

You forgot. Take pictures of your kids, wife, husband!

By: James W

James W — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 09:08:57 +0000

I keep coming back to this list as I have it saved in my favorites, thanks for the inspiration.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:31:21 +0000

Its an inspiration, thanks for the tips. Blogging, travelling and taking pictures gives life to me.

By: Yaeko Photography

Yaeko Photography — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:30:58 +0000

Thanks for sharing the tips. I appreciate your work. Very good inspiration for every photographer. Natascha

By: Dave Brown

Dave Brown — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:38:07 +0000

I think my biggest source of inspiration is travelling. I find that when I travel I see new things with my eyes, and it's a great thing. I recently went to portland and it really inspired me to get back into photography in a way i never had before. Thanks for the list.

By: Lawry McCarthy

Lawry McCarthy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:20:26 +0000

Got another one for your list - though it is a bit like "Get a cause": Join a Church or other community group and become the unofficial photographer. I get lots of wonderful inspiring shots at my Church. Not only Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. Also picnics, barbecues, Church meals, fetes, Christ-mass plays, Easter plays, building maintenance etc etc

Cheers, Lawry

By: Luis Santos

Luis Santos — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:53:54 +0000

Hi! I am new to photography and like you said in this post, read blogs etc it is good for inspiration etc.. so i do that a lot, and yours is one or the one i read most, thanks for every post and every story

cheers

By: Elisa Kraft

Elisa Kraft — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:22:41 +0000

Wow- Nice article! I like the fact that creativity and experimentation comes first in your article, and that "buy new equipement" comes at the end. Something brought me a lot further too:
working in team or duos! Taking photos with one or a few model is really nice, a collaboration with an artist preparing the set is also super inspiring! I printed the fruit of this collaboration on canvas -check online something like: http://www.photo-on-canvas.co.uk, it looks so cool! I've got two works in one: the artist painted set in the background, the models' performance, and the photo composition.

By: angie

angie — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:25:26 +0000

That has to be the largest list of inspirational things I have seen. I find the best way to get over this is to get out and take the next picture. It doesn't matter what it is.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:23:00 +0000

This is a great list how long did it take you to come up with. I hope you haven't had to do all of them. Deliberate practice helps the most I find.

By: andy

andy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:19:41 +0000

I will print this out it seems every year when it gets cold and the season is over I need inspiration. Each year it gets more challenging

By: regina

regina — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:19:22 +0000

I'm test driving a new Leica M8. I've always wanted one, but must say it is VERY different from my Canon 50D! I'm inspired by a different physical action for shooting and i'm looking forward to trying it out on my next trip.

By: Kelli Nixon Photography

Kelli Nixon Photography — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:24:42 +0000

Love your list! It is absolutely awesome. As artists, we all can use some inspiration and you list will insure that I stay fresh, thus delivering a better product.

By: Melisa

Melisa — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:10:45 +0000

I also agree with Julie Harris Photography.

And I'd like to add another source of inspiration that I have just recently discovered: PHOTOPRENEUR. =)

By: Patrick McHugh

Patrick McHugh — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:26:13 +0000

30. Revisit Your Past
I recently bought a dedicated film scanner and set about editing all my old film. It takes a while! Initially it was painful, however, I realised that I learned an incredible amount. There are images or ideas that I would like to further develop. I also found that some images were overlooked in the past because they did not fully fill the clients brief but they are great shots on review. Also when scanning and editing you subconsciously spend a lot of time considering good and bad composition. Pull out those boxes and have another look!

By: Apoc

Apoc — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:52:55 +0000

Another inspirational move I find is to go to a playground and just be a kid, shoot what looks cool and capture the faces of some kids laughing at the adult on the slide.

By: Julie Harris Photography

Julie Harris Photography — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:47:28 +0000

All of those are great suggestions. But what about TRAVELING!!! I have found that nothing inspires my photography more than traveling to various parts of the world and being immersed in those different cultures. That's when I do my best work.

By: photographik

photographik — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:30:26 +0000

Great suggestions! My personal favorite is blog-stalking. How did we ever live without blogs! The only downside is that you can literally spend hours doing it and overlook other things. Se la vie!

By: carmen

carmen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:08:40 +0000

As for:'58. Print your Pictures
It’s one thing to view your photos on a computer screen but printing them out and holding them in your hand can be something else altogether'...
I totally agree. Has enyone tried with Canvas Prints? http://www.photo-canvas.com

By: nathalie

nathalie — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:02:07 +0000

THANK YOU!
i found myself bored with the pictures i was taking for a really long time, but these tips have given me endless ideas for new photographs.

By: kooshan

kooshan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:14:48 +0000

it's really great tips i also translate it to Persian for my blog ,,, with link to your site and your name of course ...really love it

By: jojo12

jojo12 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:50:45 +0000

The only thing most people don't want to do is spend cash on something they're not passionate about. Many people buy expensive cameras and don't even use them or take full advantage of what is there to be used. These end up selling on ebay.

By: tyna

tyna — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:58:03 +0000

A great source of inspiration.Now i don't have any reason not to succeed as photographer.

By: subcorpus

subcorpus — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:36:38 +0000

we have a daily photo blog over at http://www.dailyphotosofmale.com ...
and living in a small city ... some times we are stuck and dunno what to shoot ...
so lemme try some of on your list ...
it sure sounds good ...

By: J D Whaley

J D Whaley — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:20:37 +0000

Great site! Was looking for inspiration - did I ever find it! Thanks a million. Keep up the good work.

By: Gunn

Gunn — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:36:11 +0000

Thank you! This's what I've been looking for a big while. I'm quite desperate with blank idea in my head. Your article is really helpful

By: Bill Speaks

Bill Speaks — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:37:15 +0000

I love to photograph during changing weather. Look for subjects that reflect the changing light and moods of the weather. In your photographs try to capture the emotion the weather stirs within you.

Bill
http://www.speaksimages.com

By: Syahid Ali

Syahid Ali — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:02:18 +0000

"Drop Color Altogether" everyone! Awesome post man.

By: Andreas Manessinger

Andreas Manessinger — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:45:59 +0000

That's a pretty fantastic collection of tips. I guess anyone who'd fail to be inspired, would be dead

Good job!

Andreas

By: Leila Boujnane

Leila Boujnane — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:25:57 +0000

Great inspiring list. And I have to say most of it applies to other industries as well. You could have titled your post 60 Sources of Inspiration. period! I am in the software industry and I could use most of the recommendations! Good work.

By: photo gordon

photo gordon — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:53:23 +0000

I highly recommend creating your own blog because not only will it help you be more creative you can use it to promote your own business. Keep your blog and your professional website separate and link to your site from your blog. Potential clients will love the blog and then move to your professional site to hire you.

g.
http://www.gordonphoto.net

By: mark w

mark w — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:37:08 +0000

inspired list, of which quite a few got me thinking about ways I look at the images I take. The one about going back and revisiting old images is especially poignant - I made the policy decision to always shoot on raw from the beginning which has helped me when I've revisited shots with more knowledge of aperture or photoshop and made them better two or three years down the line!

By: Fotogenik

Fotogenik — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:28:44 +0000

I noticed the item you mentioned about joining flickr groups. I like this one even better. Give it a shot, I can sit and watch it for a full 12 hour shift at my "day" job

http://flickrvision.com/

Cheers,
Stuart

By: Lynda Lehmann

Lynda Lehmann — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:27:03 +0000

Wonderful collection of ideas all in one place! Thanks for the great post!

By: io

io — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:28:27 +0000

I think you skipped the most important one:

Pick up the camera and shoot.

By: Randy Fox

Randy Fox — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:47:20 +0000

Wow, at least 60 "why-didn't-I-think-of-that?"s in one article.
Thanks!

By: Brad Blackman

Brad Blackman — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:22:52 +0000

Wow, that's a very nice list that applies to more than just photographers if you modify it a bit. I've shared it on my website, Mysterious Flame. Great job!

By: L0ch

L0ch — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:22:19 +0000

Your list has given me about 1,000,000 ideas. To bad I’m stuck at work.