Inspiration in photography

Or how to get more efficiently in the zone

Don’t expect a foolproof method to find inspiration. If only it were that easy, right ? Here is rather a way, not to lose focus on your photography, a mere way to get in the zone, and stay here.

Solitude – Photo Credit : Jerome Milac

Looking it up in the dictionary, Inspiration is said to come from the latin word “inspiratio” which means the breath. Greeks even thought, that muses would instill that inspiration. You can easily imagine that it requires calm, and serenity.

I have recently, like many others of you out there, have gone out on my own with my camera, following Marc Silber’s lastest advice. That day, I really struggled finding that inspiration. I kept looking around, but no muse would instill any artistic inspiration, as if they were all on a leave that day. Nevertheless, I found out, what NOT to do, and I wanted to share it with you :

You want to get in the zone…alone. DO NOT go accompanied. Believe me, inspiration is the jealous type, and won’t share you with another, unless your totally devoted to it. I really like being around with friends and family, but not while I’m looking for inspiration. Any discussion, even the most casual, will distract you.
That zone you’re trying to get into, may not be around the block. And so, you might want to get there by car for example. Don’t expect to find that inspiration while you’re driving. Your brain will be focused on your driving, and subsequently, on your safety. That is really no time for your mind to wander freely around. You might merely find a distant place that attracts you. But you will still have to come to a halt, get out of your car and get in that zone on your own.
I don’t know about you, but I love music, and I will listen to it very often. FORGET about it. That’s another one of these great distractions to your artistic inspiration, that will only make you sing along instead of getting in the zone.
Forget about the camera in itself. At this point, it is supposed to be at your disposal, an extension of your mind, and not a barrier to your photography. You’re going to have to do your homework on photography techniques BEFORE you get out there on your own.
Your greatest enemy to your inspiration, is your phone. You DO NOT want to have it ring while you’re out there trying to find a subject to enlighten your next photography.

There is no guaranty, you’ll be inspired each time you go out and shoot. But at least, these little guideliness should help you stay on track. I saved my most positive advice for last : You want to be a photographer, not a tourist. Look at things with the eyes of a child, as if you saw them for the time. Take a break, leave your troubles at home, look around with curiosity and “feel” your environment. Eventually, this little muse will whisper to you…