13 responses so far ↓

• 1 Struggling with Artistic Creativity // Jul 30, 2008 at 10:58 pm

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• 2 Karen // Jul 30, 2008 at 11:13 pm

  no tips, but you need to check out the (U.S., not sure about there) cover of the book “twilight” by stephenie meyer – very similar to that pic of kelly holding the apple. i thought of you immediately when i saw it.

  http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217423581&sr=8-1

• 3 Harry // Jul 30, 2008 at 11:38 pm

  I haven’t quite gotten into the whole shooting strangers thing yet, but I’ve been trying portraiture through mainly shooting my friends. It has been great to be able to just take as many shots as I like, and they are a lot more forgiving than strangers!

• 4 L&coolj // Jul 30, 2008 at 11:54 pm

  I know exactly how you feel – I’ve been thinking long and hard about where my photography is at the moment and I’m far from happy – I’ve been shooting a LOT of landscapes and cityscapes for the past year, which is nice, but I don’t think it’s taking me anywhere – I am not being challenged. Portraits, on the other hand, are something I still have not managed to master…. but enough about me. Here’s how I would approach the problem, assuming you want something that is posed/set-up:
  1. Put together a little inspiration folder/booklet – find images/portraits that really inspire you (plenty of those on flickr and elsewhere).
  2. Sit down with your model (you can start with your sis or a good friend) and show them the photos you’ve chosen. Explain to them what you really like in those images and also ask for their opinion about it. Once they have a clear idea of what you like, it will be easier for both of you to work together and also you will find it less “embarrassing” to direct them.
  3. Set about “copying” an image that you like – this way you will know what works and what doesn’t. With time both of you will feel more comfortable with each other and you can then go about setting up a portrait you’d really want to take.

  Of course, if you are more into street photography or more “candid” stuff – this suggestion won’t work. You just need guts, i think
  Good luck!

• 5 L&coolj // Jul 30, 2008 at 11:56 pm

  PS: I also don’t think you should put a ban on F&F – they’re just too lovely.

• 6 Steven // Jul 31, 2008 at 12:54 am

  I have also been thinking along the same lines recently, Having a digital camera perhaps makes me take-for-granted being able to photograph life. I want to have to work at taking photos. I have started shooting with a manual Pentax k1000, and have began making my own darkroom. I want to get ‘down and dirty’ with taking photos. Point-and-shoot with my Canon 40d takes the fun and creativity out of photography.

• 7 Deann B. // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:56 am

  I’ve been having similar feelings, but with different subjects. I’m fine around people, but try to get me to photograph still life and I’m a hopeless wreck. I saw a beautiful photograph of a bathroom sink the other day and I could only stare in awe… “How does she DO that?”

  One of the things that I do to get myself out of a creative rut is to use a different camera. A film SLR, polaroid, holga… just something different. As far as photographing people go, I started with my friends and they recommended their friends and pretty soon, I didn’t have a first-hand relationship with my subjects, but that tenuous “six degrees” was enough. (I also had shot a lot of people at that point and felt pretty confident that I would do okay no matter who was in front of the camera.)

• 8 melissa // Jul 31, 2008 at 4:15 am

  I’ve recently started a photography business that focuses on naturally lit photos of people. I find I just have to force myself to do it. I’m a very outgoing person in general, but there’s still a surge of nerves while walking up to this new person’s house: “will i mess it up?” “what if they don’t respond to me in the way that i need them to in order to capture a great image of them?” But then I walk in the door, meet them, realize they’re all just people too, with thoughts and insecurities and idiosyncrasies. They’re no different than I am. And the shoot goes great.

  As far as the creative block goes, I’ve been there and have found that it’s like relationships – you’re never going to find that perfect person when you’re actively looking. it just happens and half the time you don’t even realize it was ever gone. if you need to take some action, then do the no F&F ban for a couple weeks. Two weeks if a month seems impossible. Take it in small steps as to not overwhelm yourself.

  you’re a talented amazing photographer. in fact, my partner in my photography business and I were just looking through your flickrstream to get an idea about different styles of processing. we love love love your stuff, Amanda.

• 9 raina // Jul 31, 2008 at 6:44 am

  This is so funny…I have been thinking exactly these thoughts since I purchased my DSLR along with some very fancy, pricey lenses. All I seem to shoot is knitting and flowers…I am trying to expand, but it’s hard.

• 10 Amanda // Jul 31, 2008 at 5:18 pm

  Oh my, so many great comments.
  Thanks so much for the great thoughts everyone.

  Karen, that shot is very much like mine! Is it a novel?

  Lidija, I want to do EXACTLY that. I’ve been wanting to try and capture something of the essence of the photography for Goldfrapp’s Seventh Tree album. My sister has asked me to take her and some friends out to the country to shoot together.
  We are going in a couple of weeks, so I may try and set up some shots then.
  It will be fun to try out some other models too.

  Steven, lots of people seem to really love that camera. Im sure you’ll get some great stuff out of it.
  Deann, Ive just bought a Yashica Mat 124 so Im hoping it may help me a little with this problem. Been shooting my holga a fair bit too.

  Melissa…thanks! Yeah your shots are awesome. I think if I ever do turn this hobby into a career, that’s what I’d most likely do. Being a primary school teacher I’ve had plenty of practice shooting kids, I do it all the time as I am the school’s photographer.
  Processing…my only tip is don’t overdo it. Sometimes I worry I have. I tend to bring down the saturation a lot though, I’m not into big flashy over saturated shots.

  Raina…I honestly am thinking about trading in my DSLR for a Hasselblad but I know I’d regret it.

  Thanks for all the great comments and advice everyone!

• 11 myla // Aug 2, 2008 at 5:02 pm

  I’m going through the exact same thing right now. I’ve been online studying at Magnum Photos — because all of those folks thought of these fantastic ideas and then went for it. But all of them (I think) took a certain amount of gumption to do. I think once you find “the” thing — your shyness will dissipate with your excitement for the project. Does that make sense? xox

• 12 julia // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:27 am

  I always go to Flickr when I need inspiration, but I’m one of another one of those people who takes way too many pictures of Food & Flowers to be able to offer any real advice.

• 13 Kim // Sep 4, 2008 at 6:46 am

  Once, a student at my school was having trouble overcoming her shyness, even though what she really wanted to shoot photographs of were people. One of our photography teachers advised her to go to a costume shop and buy a big, ugly mask. He told her to carry it around with her and, just when she wanted to take someone’s photo, duck behind a corner, put on the mask and then jump out at them with her camera ready.

  Apparently, it worked wonders for her and she got a nice series of surprised-looking portraits to boot

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