inspiration and tips /Joel Grimes

The people at framedshow.com are releasing some inspirational interviews. Have a full cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy 47 minutes of inspiration by an upper class photographer Joel Grimes talking about career, passion, technique and composite work. It’s worth it. It’s worth even the second round.

When you’re ready, you can check him out at http://joelgrimes.com

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be an observer – look at photos

Lots of photos, actually. Photography is far from only the art of capturing photographs – it involves a lot of looking at photographs.

I recently read or heard it in an interview (if I recall the source I’ll make sure to post it) a statement which reminded me of the importance of gathering inspiration through photos already captured by others. The photographer being interviewed pointed out that throughout the years a good photographer will build up a significant collection of seen photos. Small (or large) elements of these photos will eventually become the source of inspiration for your own work. The more you’ve seen, the more you know what (not) to do.

No, I’m not talking about blindly copying other people’s work… You can do that as an exercise but don’t get stuck on it or allow it to limit your own creativity. And yes, it does mean that you also need to look at not so good photos. Especially if you’re a new photographer, be it for weddings, commercial projects, stock or whatever – you also need to know what to avoid, not only what to aim for.

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take a break

Coming back from a long (and very unexpected) break in photographing and blogging (sorry about that!) I sit and think about the consequences of it. Of this and all the other similar breaks I’ve had ever since I started taking photography seriously. It seems to me that breaks aren’t as bad as one might think (especially the workaholics out there). As long as they’re somewhat controlled, of course.

In the past years one thing has always come alongside of breaks – a leap in creativity. It’s odd, as most photographers (me including) say that creativity best develops while working. This is true. However, my creativity often jumps off the scale after a lengthy holiday. Or a pause from shooting for a month.

It’s a bit as if I’ve spent all the time of the break filling up with fresh angles and ideas. I never stop observing the world around me and I guess when I don’t output my impressions graphically after some time I’ve got a whole lot to work with. At least that’s the way I explain my creative leaps.

Unfortunately, a lengthy break does come at a price. Especially if you rely on this particular work to cover your living expenses. The question, I suppose is how much will the creative leap compensate for the time off… So far I’ve been pleasantly surprised. What’s your experience?

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