Getting/finding inspiration?

[ian-83]

Where do people get or find their inspiration to go out and shoot from?

I appear to be having a lull recently and need a kick up the bum to get out and use my camera bit can't really think of anything to inspire me. I have a baby on the way due in February next year so plenty of opportunities then to take pictures but till then I want something to keep me going and make sure I keep thinking about what will make a good picture not just a snap shot.

 

[stu_the_flat]

Every time I find a photographer that inspires me i look them up on facebook. most of them are activily posting images on FB so that way I get a fabulous feed of images with out needing to go looking for them!

 

[anitacv]

Hi Ian. Know what you mean by needing inspiration. I try to have a go at the weekly challenges on digital photography school. No doubt there are ideas that other people on here will be able to suggest. I will be interested in their ideas too.

 

[stu_the_flat]

Sometime I am just to tired from doing what ever I am trying to acomplish in life to be inspired.

I think it is OK to leave the camera in the bag sometimes. you will find you will want to pick it up again soon enough!

Stuart

 

[viewfromthenorth]

500px is full of inspirational photos, and if you look in some of the groups on flickr, you might find some half decent stuff to.

 

[SnappyHappy]

Congratulations Ian

It's a great hobby to combine with kids that's for sure. Get a nice little cheapo prime if you dont already maybe? I use my 35 1.8 for all my indoors low light and get really natural photos at times.

I was just commenting on another thread about 'keeper rates' etc, and I think the main thing is to just enjoy it, and try not to get too hung up on every aspect of a photo being perfect with them if that makes sense (babies not so bad, but once they are mobile it's a very challenging subject!). I take hundreds of photos that 'pop' every month (like really how many do you need??), but sometimes the noisey, slight missed focus jobs that tell a story are the ones that bring memories back.

Also, you can pick up loads of 'props' online for baby photos. I never bothered, and dont really regret it, but might be something to think about.

You getting a nursery/bedroom decorated soon? All chances for pictures, and something to really look back on. The documenting of their life starts now What about your other half - doing plenty of protraits of bump etc.

How about a batch of 3 or 5 of the bump every 2 months or so and framing that a sort of sequence? These things are great to look back on, as your life now will seem so different You are about to take thousands of oicture, good job we use digital now

As an aside, I print paperback (sort of A4 size) photobooks of about 100 pages every 2 months with the best choice from Blurb. Check them out?

Good luck!! My first was born in 2008, and she nows marches around the house with a D90 (with grip!) and an 18-70 lens taking pics of her little sis (9 months), changing lenses - the lot. Really winds the missus up, but makes me so proud haha All seems like a lifetime ago since she was a newborn now, in other ways just like yesterday

 

[artyman]

Have a go at shooting birds, difficult to get in frame and focus, can move off without warning, should stand you in good stead for photagrahing your offspring in due course

 

[ian-83]

Every time I find a photographer that inspires me i look them up on facebook. most of them are activily posting images on FB so that way I get a fabulous feed of images with out needing to go looking for them!

Might have to do that have a look up on Facebook on photographers I like might inspire me seeing some of their images

Hi Ian. Know what you mean by needing inspiration. I try to have a go at the weekly challenges on digital photography school. No doubt there are ideas that other people on here will be able to suggest. I will be interested in their ideas too.

Weekly challenge could work, I found when I did a photography course at my local college it got me going out each week looking for a photo as homework.

Sometime I am just to tired from doing what ever I am trying to acomplish in life to be inspired.

I think it is OK to leave the camera in the bag sometimes. you will find you will want to pick it up again soon enough!

Stuart

Hopefully sooner than later might forget what it looks like

500px is full of inspirational photos, and if you look in some of the groups on flickr, you might find some half decent stuff to.

Did have a look at joining up to 500px as i read somewhere it might be better than flickr

Congratulations Ian

It's a great hobby to combine with kids that's for sure. Get a nice little cheapo prime if you dont already maybe? I use my 35 1.8 for all my indoors low light and get really natural photos at times.

I was just commenting on another thread about 'keeper rates' etc, and I think the main thing is to just enjoy it, and try not to get too hung up on every aspect of a photo being perfect with them if that makes sense (babies not so bad, but once they are mobile it's a very challenging subject!). I take hundreds of photos that 'pop' every month (like really how many do you need??), but sometimes the noisey, slight missed focus jobs that tell a story are the ones that bring memories back.

Also, you can pick up loads of 'props' online for baby photos. I never bothered, and dont really regret it, but might be something to think about.

You getting a nursery/bedroom decorated soon? All chances for pictures, and something to really look back on. The documenting of their life starts now What about your other half - doing plenty of protraits of bump etc.

How about a batch of 3 or 5 of the bump every 2 months or so and framing that a sort of sequence? These things are great to look back on, as your life now will seem so different You are about to take thousands of oicture, good job we use digital now

As an aside, I print paperback (sort of A4 size) photobooks of about 100 pages every 2 months with the best choice from Blurb. Check them out?

Good luck!! My first was born in 2008, and she nows marches around the house with a D90 (with grip!) and an 18-70 lens taking pics of her little sis (9 months), changing lenses - the lot. Really winds the missus up, but makes me so proud haha All seems like a lifetime ago since she was a newborn now, in other ways just like yesterday

Hi thanks Craig. I do have the 35mm f1.8 all ready and it's a cracking lens I am definitely looking forwards to taking lots of baby pics and putting them into an album. I do like the idea of the bump photo's the OH is only just starting to show so might be time to get started on those.

Have a go at shooting birds, difficult to get in frame and focus, can move off without warning, should stand you in good stead for photagrahing your offspring in due course

This is true though birds will probably be a lot easier after a while and I won't have to take them home

 

[shaylou]

Where do people get or find their inspiration to go out and shoot from?

I appear to be having a lull recently and need a kick up the bum to get out and use my camera bit can't really think of anything to inspire me. I have a baby on the way due in February next year so plenty of opportunities then to take pictures but till then I want something to keep me going and make sure I keep thinking about what will make a good picture not just a snap shot.

I was wondering where you are at as a photographer. What level would you consider yourself. The reason I ask is because I am somewhat new to photography and though I understand exposure I find it very interesting to explore light. Different techniques, light painting, fire shots, and so on. This leads me to say to myself, "I wonder how this will look" (a lot). I start out on a small project and end up spending hours trying out new ideas. Sure most have been done before but not by me. I challenge myself to do it better. With a new baby on the way I know that I would be studying portrait techniques until I was very good at it. That's just me. Once again it depends on where you are at as a photographer and what your goals are as well.

 

[Ebilpirate]

Have you considered viewing the pregnancy as a documentary project? Days out with the other half, shopping in supermarkets, friends, documenting your life, the way the world is now and the growth of your future family? You could produce something fascinating for the family to look at in 15 years time while improving your candid / street and portrait skills.

Also portrait work as the bump develops is pretty fun and rewarding.

(also sleep man, sleep as much as you can, now while you have a chance - and buy a good espresso machine, you are going to need it)

 

[ian-83]

I was wondering where you are at as a photographer. What level would you consider yourself. The reason I ask is because I am somewhat new to photography and though I understand exposure I find it very interesting to explore light. Different techniques, light painting, fire shots, and so on. This leads me to say to myself, "I wonder how this will look" (a lot). I start out on a small project and end up spending hours trying out new ideas. Sure most have been done before but not by me. I challenge myself to do it better. With a new baby on the way I know that I would be studying portrait techniques until I was very good at it. That's just me. Once again it depends on where you are at as a photographer and what your goals are as well.

I would say I am just above beginner level there is many areas of photography I haven't really had a go at one of them being portraits. Looks like I best get practicing.

Have you considered viewing the pregnancy as a documentary project? Days out with the other half, shopping in supermarkets, friends, documenting your life, the way the world is now and the growth of your future family? You could produce something fascinating for the family to look at in 15 years time while improving your candid / street and portrait skills.

Also portrait work as the bump develops is pretty fun and rewarding.

(also sleep man, sleep as much as you can, now while you have a chance - and buy a good espresso machine, you are going to need it)

Yeah sleep and energy drinks might be much needed soon! I think a documentary style would work very well.

 

[shaylou]

Have you considered viewing the pregnancy as a documentary project? Days out with the other half, shopping in supermarkets, friends, documenting your life, the way the world is now and the growth of your future family? You could produce something fascinating for the family to look at in 15 years time while improving your candid / street and portrait skills.

Also portrait work as the bump develops is pretty fun and rewarding.

(also sleep man, sleep as much as you can, now while you have a chance - and buy a good espresso machine, you are going to need it)

This is a very nice idea. It would challenge his creative side. Nice work.