If I ask you what’s most important a photographer needs, what would you tell me?The camera, the lens? Good technical training, what do I have to say?Yes, all of the above is important, but there’s something much more important: you. And what are you made of as a photographer? Wells of inspiration and practice; in short, motivational.
Practical inspiration?
Inspiration? Practical?
? Practical inspiration?
The word inspiration may seem dreamy to you, something you hope will magically appear, but inspiration is simply part of learning. Yes, inspiration is also learned, you learn with practice, analyzing your images, seeing what you like to do, what your terrain is, your style, inspiration can come from anywhere, from yourself, from others, from a book, from a movie, from a shadow on the sidewalk. The only requirement is that you do something about it. There’s no point in being inspired and not having the camera at your fingertips. Or go out and get a handheld camera and not have learned to find inspiration.
When does the inspiration come to find me working?Pablo Picasso
And since it’s not just about techniques and lenses, tripods or filters, we’ll look at some tips that can motivate you to practice and find your inspiration.
One of your worst enemies, if not the worst, is laziness, laziness is the same as not practicing, leaving the camera out, first one day, then another, then just for big occasions and not even that. Do you remember the first time?How did you accompany her the first few days without worrying about her weight or her supposed discomfort?This enthusiasm, if you can keep it, is your best asset, don’t lose it.
And the best way not to get lazy is to establish a habit, a photographic routine. You don’t have to go anywhere with the camera all day, but can you tell yourself that on weekends I’ll always take her with me?Or ‘ one day a week I take him to work and photograph people on the bus or on the subway ”. However, the important thing is that photography is part of you, which is as natural and enjoyable to go out and photograph as it is to eat and sleep.
Being in touch with people from all over the world, with their images, their stories, different cultures, faces and landscapes with one click is an amazing thing. To be able to share your images instantly, get feedback from someone who lives 20,000 km away. Get advice and answers to your questions and concerns? Everything is at your fingertips on the many social networks that exist and that you know very well: Flickr, Instagram or Pinterest are just some of those that exist. You also have many forums to answer your questions or help others solve their questions. These online communities are a great opportunity to make you known and find inspiration, so if you’re reluctant to do so so far?I suggest you reconsider, you know that saying? If you can’t beat them, join them ??
One of the hardest things as a photographer is to be the only one in your circle of life, that no one cares too much about what you do and why so much passion?. It’s that patient look and condescending smile that your acquaintances give you when they see you show up with your camera, it’s those boring faces when you go on a trip and you stop every 200 meters to photograph something that caught your eye, of course, you know what I’m talking about. A good way to solve it is by taking face-to-face photography classes, there you will see that you are not alone, you will be able to share experiences, images and above all your passion for photography, like everything else, there are very expensive and cheaper and innumerable themes.
The Internet is good, but don’t kid yourself, it’s not the same, if you have time don’t hesitate to look for a course, there are many cultural houses, town halls, etc. that offer them at a very good price. In addition, content is sometimes the least you have on the Internet, the best thing is the experience that you and your fanatical friends live.
Another good way to combat laziness is to join a nearby photo association. They are usually very complete in activities, organize outings, exhibitions, excursions, different topics, conferences, etc.
Like face-to-face courses, they will help you meet people, build relationships and share your work and experiences, and in addition to having a good time, you never know what contacts you can make and what opportunities it can bring you.
A good way to motivate, test or challenge yourself is by participating in photography contests, if you search online you will find many of the most varied topics you can imagine, some of your images surely match what you are asking for. most of them are absolutely free, just send the pictures online.
Try it, you have absolutely nothing to lose. Besides, you know what our parents said: the important thing is to participate, not win, although at the time we didn’t think about it too much, and if it’s always better to win than to lose, it’s much worse not to try. So, what do you expect?
Visiting exhibitions is a good way to surround yourself with outside inspiration, an image will never be the same again on a computer screen because it is printed on paper, framed and properly illuminated, you can approach and contemplate the details as if they were a painting, see them in perspective or separately and leave your comments when you leave taking a good dose of inspiration. They are also usually free or very cheap, and are they usually a very good way to have a plan to spend the afternoon?
Do you have a job, a series to which you have dedicated yourself the best of yourself and of which you are especially proud or proud?And why are you hiding it at home in a folder on your computer creating cyber dust?
How about making nice prints, putting a frame on them and displaying them on a wall?Maybe you’re starting at MOMA to try to showcase your art and you’re disappointed?It’s not necessary either. You’d be surprised how many places they’d like to showcase your images, cultural houses, showrooms and even bars and shops You know what an experience like this can teach you?The complete tour of a photographer at your fingertips. Your exposed work and the people who admire it, criticize it, talk about it What time!?
Few things are as inspiring as listening to someone who has realized your dream explain how they did it: what they had to fight to accomplish, the problems they encountered, the difficulties they overcaly, anecdotes, fears, victories, and failures. They and they, the photographers you admire, are living proof that yours should not be an unattainable dream, they are proof that the one who follows it triumphs, and that perseverance brings you closer every day. To achieve this are proof that a photographer is not born, it is done.
Painting, film and photography are very close relatives, and often intersect and share more techniques than you imagine at first glance.
Of all my advice, will he be the only one who won’t force you off the couch?Analyze the photography of movies, airplanes, lights, framing, how they tell stories, focus on their characters, symbolism, leaks and lines. ? It’s all very much related to photography. When you watch a movie, activate your photo chip and you’ll see all the concepts you know magically appear.
Find an inspiring theme or concept that interests you, move it. It can be a landscape, the history of the merchant across the street or your pet. It can be the story of an object or images of things you find on the ground. The important thing is that you take it as a job, as something serious and thoughtful, something with a beginning and an end, something that makes sense, that motivates you to practice, learn and improve; a challenge There are few things as motivating as challenges, right?
Here are just a few tips that will help you improve, challenge, motivate and inspire you, so you understand that you’re not alone, that you have to work on inspiration, and that you can learn a lot from others. trust yourself, don’t give up, and practice and practice and practice. Remember, not a single photographer you admire was born knowing. And whether you like it or not, in photography the only way to learn is practical.
So now, you know, absorb motivation and get down to business. And if you liked it, did it help you in your search for motivation, inspiration, if it made you decide to participate in this contest that you had not dared or that you decided to join the photographic association of your neighborhood?Share it, thank you very much?