Creativity in photography is essential to a good photograph. The creative digital photographer who knows how to use their creativity will stand head and shoulders above other photographers and produce quality images. The question is, how do we become more creative in our photography? It’s very simple.

I remember when I really got into photography. I looked for every book on creative photography and searched the internet for anything on creativity. I knew that this was key to my photography success. Creating images is what photography is all about. It’s exciting, challenging and above all results in great images.

The dictionary definition for creativity defines it as, “the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.” 

So what are the keys to great creativity?

1. Become a part of your creation

What on earth does that mean? Simple. When you are about to create something become one with your creation. Before you press that shutter, use all of your senses. Allow each one to pick up something about the scene, person or subject you are to shoot. Try to sense things by sitting quietly and pondering the whole scene. Give attention to every single little element that will be a part of your final image. Know what they are and how they relate to each other. Exclude some if necessary. Knowledge is power, power to create.

2. Practise, practise, practise

I cannot emphasize this point enough when it comes to learning creativity. The great artists of the world who have created the greatest masterpieces didn’t start out as the greatest. They started with the first step towards greatness. They spent years practising their art, developing it to the greatness we now see. Gary Player the great South African golfer and winner of all the world’s major tournament said this, “The harder I practise the luckier I get”. You create your own luck when you take the time to practise. Practise is the road to great photography.

3. Experiment

Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso were great experimenters and continually tried new techniques and methods. Their work evolved as their creativity increased. Never be afraid to try new things. Break the rules and see what happens. Sometimes it will work and other times not. Try new angles, viewpoints, change the camera settings or format. Planning is good but sometimes you need to get out of the box and try something different. 

4. Evaluate you work

Knowing what your are doing wrong and where you need to improve is key to any creative process. Evaluate your work against the principles and rules of photography. Find out where you are going wrong and eliminate those errors from future photos. Find people who are good photographers and ask their opinions. Join a photography club and let others criticise your images. And then, enter competitions. You will soon find out where you stand if you start winning or placing in competitions.

5. Shoot again

If you photos aren’t up to standard based on what you have learned and the opinions of others, then shoot again. Go to the same place, find the same subject and shoot it again. Keep shooting until you see an improvement in your creativity. Don’t ever get discouraged. Get going and work at learning where you have been going wrong. All the great artists did this.

Creativity is not something you are born with but something that is learned and acquired. Some people reach great levels earlier than others. But with most of us it’s perseverance that results in the final great image. Time and effort together with hard work will eventually be rewarded, so don’t give up. 

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