It’s probably no coincidence that the image in my stock portfolio with the most models (and hence, most signed model releases) is also my top selling image. This particular shot with 12 signed model releases has sold nearly 1,300 times as of today.
Canon 5D, Canon 24-105 f/4L lens – 1/125 second, f/5.0, ISO 100
If you are working in a creative medium, it is inevitable that you will eventually encounter creative block. Since photography definitely qualifies as a creative medium, this is something that will most likely hit every serious photographer at some point.
In the 13 months or so that I have been working full-time with my photography company, I have for the most part been able to avoid a major case of block. What I have realized though is that my current mood plays a large part about my creativeness. If I’m feeling particularly “down”, it definitely has a tendency to show up in my work (or lack of work). On the other hand, when I am feeling “up”, I tend to produce a higher amount of good content.
This morning I read a blog post I found through my friend Dennis’ Photo News Today website. The post is titled 10 Ways To Break Photographers Block. It has some great ideas for dealing with this problem and is definitely worth a read. After reading the 10 suggestions, I began to wonder how others handle this.
What I would like to hear, is how you (as a photographer or other content creator) overcome a creative block. Do you have a routine you do to get out of a funk? Are there resources you would be willing to share with the community? I am anxious to see what you have to offer. And as a purely selfish benefit, the next time I find myself feeling particularly foggy in my creativeness I will have a resource to help me get back on track.
One of my recent stock photo shoots was a new take on an earlier theme, Street People. In the fall I did an outdoor shoot featuring two models dressed as a homeless couple. The series of images are beginning to see regular sales in my stock portfolio.
To follow up on the earlier shoot, I did a studio session featuring Diane again as a homeless looking woman. I positioned her with the shopping cart loaded with possessions and shot against a white background. Some of the images were photographed with the background lit to create an isolated-on-white look while on other images (like those featured here) I turned off the background lights to create a darker look.
Given the bad news recently with the world’s economic health, I’m hoping that these stock images will be found useful for designers looking for a certain look. To see my complete “Street People” series of images on iStockphoto, click here.
…and another random find of my work in print. Not the most glamorous publication, but a cover nonetheless.
One of the greatest things that becoming involved in a local photography group has contributed to my life is the friends I have made. When I sat down with Ann Torrence and Bryan Jones a year-and-a-half ago to organize what is now Photowalking Utah, I never dreamed of all of the truly good friends I would make through the group in the coming months.
Today’s image is of one of those friends. Photowalking Utah regulars will immediately recognize the face of our pal, Scott Jarvie. He’s a kick-butt wedding photographer and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I first met Jarvie (it seems that’s what everyone calls him) last July when he came to the Fourth of July Photowalk. I immediately found out that he’s a live-and-breathe-photography-24-hours-a-day photographer. Calling it his passion would be an understatement.
Beyond the photography, Jarvie is simply a fun guy to hang around with. His unassuming manor and witty sense of humor make you want to have him in your group.
I don’t really have a major point to today’s post other than this – if you’re not involved with others who share your passion (photography or otherwise), you might just be missing out on having a Jarvie in your life. Find a group and get involved!
Oh, and one more note. It seems that when I wrote my blog post last week on Twitter & Photography, I picked up a lot of new followers on Twitter. Jarvie took note of this (we had been neck-and-neck with followers) and now feels a bit left behind. So, if you feel inclined, drop on over to http://twitter.com/jarvie and add him to your follow list. He’ll really appreciate it!
Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105 f/4L lens – 1/100 second, f/4, ISO 6400
When I was writing last week’s blog post about using a monopod, I used my friend Kenneth Linge as an example. This got me thinking that I hadn’t talked to him in awhile so I dialed him up. It was great to catch up and hear about what’s been going on with his studio and photography school.
After chatting with him, I thought it’d be a good time to give the teaching side of his business a plug. I have taken numerous classes from Kenneth and not a photo shoot goes by that I don’t put to use some of the lighting techniques I learned from him. The biggest thing he taught me is to “see the light”. While I don’t think I will ever perfect this skill, I have noticeably come a long way from where I was just a few short years ago.
With that being said, here are some upcoming classes being offered by Kenneth that I would recommend any photographer looking to expand their skills should look into:
- Photographing People, Part II – February 7, 2009
- Photographing People, Part I – March 28, 2009
- The Wedding School – March 23 – 25, 2009
For details on any of these classes, visit Kenneth’s website at kennethlinge.com and click on the “Seminars” link.
