5 Ways to Get Out of Your Photography Funk

Much like writer's block, photographers can face the dilemma of having no idea what to shoot next. Maybe you live in a small town where you think nothing really happens, have a full-time job that makes it hard to get out and shoot during the day, or maybe you're a parent who feels that all you've shot recently are your kids because they are with you all the time. Whatever the case, you need a boost of inspiration to get out of that rut!

1. Finding people who share your passion for photography is a great start to getting out of your photographic funk. Check out the post about connecting with other photographers for ideas on local groups to join and forums to follow. Being part of something like a Meetup group can get you out shooting things you never would have thought of on your own!

2. Working with a new subject for portraits can re-inspire your love for lighting and bring out new emotions in your images. For classes that focus on the human form you are required to seek out different models for each project, so why not start utilizing Model Mayhem now and put out the call on social networks for people who thrive in front of a camera? Being a pretty shy person myself, I know it can be intimidating, but in order to run a business you're going to encounter all kinds of people, so getting over your fears now will help you succeed in the long run.

Tip 5: Take on a personal project!

3. Attending a party? Check with the hosts to see if they would like you to bring your gear. This can give you practice in event photography and amp up your enthusiasm. Make sure that you don't only play the role of photographer, though, because you are first and foremost a guest! The hosts will appreciate your documentation of their efforts, but they also want you to have fun (and may not realize that for many of us, taking pictures is the most fun of all!).

4. A great way to find out what's going on in your area is to check out community bulletin boards, both physical and virtual. It can be surprisingly fun to shoot something like a 5k run/walk or a town fair. Even a farmer's market offers a host of interesting subject matter (just be sure to ask before you start shooting someone's wares). If there's any sort of event going on, there's something for you to shoot.

5. Taking on a personal project can greatly improve your schoolwork. Picking a weekly theme will get you to look at the world around you differently, even on a simple walk with your dog. Sometimes these projects can start as personal but become something you explore further in class. For example, I wanted to revisit childhood memories as a way to create images for my parents. I ended up exploring this idea for class and was able to receive feedback on editing and effectiveness of my compositions to make a much better project than I would have had on my own.

Being a photography student is about challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone to become a better photographer. Don't limit yourself to what's easy: explore new locations with other photographers, work with new people, and bring your camera EVERYWHERE because you never know where you will find inspiration. If you have more tips on getting out of a photographic funk, leave them in the comments!

Testing 1, 2, 3?

Greetings fellow shooters! Tuesday Ambassador Stanley, here welcoming you to another... testing… can anybody read this, Tuesday? And no, this is not going to be like my last week’s post on Rantom. What I am going to write about is why every student, or anyone for that matter, should test their equipment, regardless of ever having worked with the equipment before. However, I have seen a good majority of students doing just that and it is an excellent thing to do because it makes you more familiar with your equipment before tackling those shooting assignments. So if you think that you may be the only person that pulls your equipment out of the box, puts it together and starts tinkering with it, just know that you’re not the only one. Although, be mindful of the equipment you are working with in order to prevent injuries to beings or damage to equipment whether they are big or small.

Now if you are not one who typically dives into unfamiliar territory, I am sure you are not alone. That is okay though because you are going to school for photography after all. For some people though, school is not enough. One thing that you could do is READ through your manual after breaking into the package and laying out all of your equipment to be assembled later. This should be done on day one of receiving your package because you want to make sure that you have everything and that nothing is broken. If you do not understand something, reach out! There is a plethora of resources available at your disposal like PSPN on Google+, your upcoming or present instructors and if you want fast answers then you better resort to your most favored search engine like Google. Once you have everything all squared away it’s time to setup and test out your equipment. Make sure everything works! Test the highs and test the lows. Make sure your equipment is in flawless working order because I’m sure there is nothing like returning your faulty equipment and having to switch, stop or drop out of your class because you did not meet the deadline. I assure you that I’m not talking from experience.

One thing I learned through my curiosities in life about things I had no prior knowledge of, yet having full access to whatever it is that interested me, was in order to dig deeper about your subject, you have to break it. No, I’m not telling you to go break your equipment because that would be foolish and by no means is that what I meant! What I mean is I was always one who would get a toy, get bored with it, take it apart, study it and put it back together just to play with it again. Maybe that’s the reason why computers had been a hobby of mine for so long because of how quickly it advanced over the years. Now you don’t necessarily have to apply my experience to a specific subject, however, if you apply it to your life you may find yourself subconsciously applying it to subjects that interest you as well. Sure, I know that is a lot to ask but I do not think you would regret making the change.

Was this informative or inspirational? Let me know in the comments below. Have you felt this before? Do you think you are the only one? Are you getting a little freaked out because I am getting into your head and I may possibly know what you are thinking right now at this exact moment?  Ha! Who am I kidding? I cannot read your mind. Stay tuned next week to catch a glimpse of my studio studies as well as my recently published work, and as always, thanks for reading.

-Tues. Amb. Stanley

Long link goes to the image above by a no name photographer: http://static.videomaker.com/sites/videomaker.com/files/styles/vm_image_token_lightbox/public/articles/15346/306-F21-microphone-close-up.jpg?itok=k3IAaLWJ

Nerves and Nuptials: Making Couples Comfortable with your Camera

Working with human subjects can be intimidating, especially once you begin taking professional, paying jobs.  It is incredibly important to get the hang of it while you are still a student.  One subject is hard enough, but trying to capture a couple's intimacy is extra tricky.  When I took my first engagement job, it was for two friends who knew my experience level and were just happy to get photographs for free.  We spent three hours walking around the city where they met, finding backdrops that meant something to the two of them and making time for several outfit changes.  They were comfortable with me and in front of the camera, which is not usually the case!  The majority of wedding and portrait clients are pretty camera-shy.  Knowing how to work with nervous clients has been one of my biggest assets since I began taking on paid jobs.  

Meeting with clients ahead of the shoot is ideal, but not always possible.  Imagine you get to an engagement shoot on a day that is nearly freezing.  There is no time to chat and get comfortable with one another, so you have to find another way to make the couple feel at ease in front of your camera.  What do you do?  One option that has worked for me is just to step back a bit and let them interact, allowing them to get the feel for being the center of attention without having the added pressure of a camera three feet from their faces.  One reason engagement shoots are so valuable if you choose to shoot weddings is that getting your couples used to you and your camera will make the wedding photos easier and more natural.

Having an engaged couple hug or kiss while you're farther away is less awkward than being a few feet from their faces:

Soon enough, your clients will relax with you a bit closer.  While it may feel weird to ask them to move a certain way or put their hands somewhere specific, I've found that the more nervous they are, the more they want your help!  Make suggestions like "if you move your hands just a little lower you'll look more natural and relaxed" so they understand why they are making those small adjustments.  

Encouragement goes a long way - make sure you let your clients know that they are looking great and be enthusiastic about your compositions!  Showing them one or two images along the way will invest them more in the session and get them excited about what you are creating together.

Once they loosen up, you'll be able to get in close without making them uncomfortable. 

Do you have questions or concerns about working with models and clients?  Have you found successful techniques for photographing couples?  Leave a comment and let us know!

-Friday Ambassador