Motivation.
Some days we need it more than others. Sometimes those creative juices are lost and you’re just sitting and staring at a wall until you realize that awful smell permeating through the air is your burnt up egg you left boiling for hours. Talk about hard-boiled…
We’ve all had situations like these where nothing comes to us (maybe not the forgotten egg incident). Don’t worry. It’s normal. It’s part of the creative process. It’s what artists go through all the time.
Just don’t give up and push on!
I know what you’re all thinking…
“Well shucks Sarven, that’s easy for you to say, but how does one find that spark of motivation needed to successfully break that eye-to-wall gaze? How does one ‘push on.'”
Well, I’ve whipped up five (not-so-hard-to-do) ways to find that motivation you’re craving…
1. Watch Movies
There are tons of movies out there with amazing cinematography that one can be itching to grab the camera after the credits roll and sprint outside. Movies are a great source because well, you watch. Duh! Plain and simple.
Watch how the cinematographers paint the scene. There are cinematographers that love to shoot wide-screen. There are cinematographers that do some interesting things with close-ups. Some with color. Pay attention to the depth of field. Most importantly, take notes for your reference.
Watch, watch, watch.
2. Listen to Music
There is something magical about music and how it affects your senses. Whenever I want to get into the creative mood, I would listen to music to get me going. I listen to mostly rock, classic rock, alternative, and blues, but what gets me going the most are the film scores for movies.
“Well, shucks Sarven… You said ‘movies’ again.”
Yes, I did chap… Yes I did.
There’s nothing like the sounds of Hans Zimmer or Nick Cave/Warren Ellis seeping into my ear canals. Seriously, try it. Listen to anything Hans Zimmer or Nick Cave/Warren Ellis have done and you’ll thank me.
Okay, so maybe you’re not at all into film scores. Fine. Listen to hip hop. Listen to jazz. Listen to country. I don’t know. Just jam the hell out of it.
3. Look at Photographs
This should be a no-brainer. Look at the masters of the past. Research them. See how they composed the shot. What type of lens did they use? How did they get the shot?
Go on Instagram, Flickr, or Pinterest. See what fellow photographers are doing. Go through their profile. Look up hashtags that you’re interested in and see all kinds of different posts.
There are some amazing photographers out there showcasing their stuff. All you have to do is research and get lost in a world of photos.
4. Take a Walk
Great thinkers. Famous artists. Writers. People that create. What do they all have in common?
They walk.
Walking is a great way to open up your mind. Not only is it an excuse to go out of the house, but you’re also getting in the needed exercise to stay fit and healthy. On top of that your brain is getting the fuel needed to get those creative juices flowing. Well what do you know…
Walking gets you thinking, and thinking gets you motivated.
Also, who knows what you’ll see, which leads me to…
5. Take Your Camera Everywhere
The world is your playground and you have the one tool to capture it’s mysterious beauty. The camera should go where you’re going no matter what. If I could Inspector Gadget my hand so that a camera can attach to it, I would.
For a street photographer, it’s imperative to have a camera on you at all times. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a bulky SLR/DSLR camera either. Grab yourself a neat little point & shoot camera and put it in your pocket.
Don’t have a point & shoot? Well, RING RING… What’s that?! Oh, that’s right! It’s your smartphone calling you and saying, “Hello, I have a spiffy camera, why don’t you use me!”
We live in an age where we’re attached to our smartphones. We never leave the house without them. Why don’t you utilize the camera on the smartphone? Of course, it’s not quite the same without a DSLR, but would you rather let a picture perfect opportunity disappear right in front of your eyes, or would you quickly take out your smartphone and take the snap?
DSLR, SLR, point & shoot, smartphone… Whatever it may be. Just take your camera because once the camera is in your hand, motivation will come.
And there you have it. The five (not-so-hard-to-do) ways to get you motivated. So stop staring at the wall and do something!
— ST
Sarven Tar Photo 