Rejuvenate Your Creativity
by Monte Nagler

Every creative endeavor has its pitfalls, traps, even a room of private torment. It's difficult to keep a wave of creativity in constant momentum.

This applies to photography, too. Even with our modern cameras, lenses, and knowledge of the craft, we all have moments of confusion and doubt and we lose perspective on what we're doing.

Well, don't store away the camera in favor of a long vacation in front of the television. The recognition of frustration and a tendency to be overly critical of your photography are part of creativity. After all, it often takes a setback to achieve further growth.

So at those times when you feel you're at the end of your creative rope and you're ready to pack up the camera...don't! Here are some ideas to rejuvenate your creativity.

Review your past work and begin to ask yourself some questions. Are there any particular trends or themes you may be overdoing? Is there a variation of

your subject matter that will produce a fresh outlook? Can you get a different perspective with another lens, camera angle, or by shooting at a different time of day? Are there ways you can add more of your own individuality to your pictures? Knowing where you've been will help you chart a course for the future.

Take another look at the world around you. There may be subject material you never considered photographing before that will now interest you. If you've always shot landscapes, perhaps now is the time to begin to photograph people. If you've always favored distant scenes, now may be the time to take an intimate look at textures, patterns, and close-up details. If you've always been

a realist, how about taking a look at some abstracts? A 180-degree turnabout may not ultimately be for you, but it will keep the creative juices flowing.

Start looking at more photographs. A trip to a local photo gallery or a leisurely browse through the photography books at your library or neighborhood bookstore will be rewarding and inspiring.

And keep some inspiring thoughts in mind, too. Remember that you are making photographs, not just taking snapshots. Shift your photographic vision from the recording of a scene to an expression of mood. Remember that the two most important elements when you make a photograph are you and your subject. Strive to really get to know your subject. And remember to use your imagination and spontaneity when you photograph.

So don't let your creative bubble burst. Rather, let it help you soar to new heights of photographic excitement.