Start Off the New Year With These Creative Jumpstarters!

One of Lomography's in-house designers, @regginaidiartegaray, shared some advice that might help you when you're stuck in a creative rut. If you're wondering how to keep yourself motivated through the difficult year that has passed, keep reading.

Tomorrow is never a good idea.

There have been times where my camera was accumulating dust on a shelf – we all had those, pandemic or not. I would look at it but would be lacking the urge to grab it and just shoot. I would tell myself “I could grab it some other day”. Well, let me tell you: tomorrow is never a good idea. It will just repeat over and over and over. This would be the perfect case to apply Mel Robbins’ five seconds rule. Whatever you are thinking of doing, do it within five seconds, before the voice in your brain completely kills the impulse.

Find time to observe.

A great part of being a photographer (or any type of creative, really) is being able to appreciate the gift of observation. How can you enjoy photography if you have not spent time just sitting, watching the light? Do not get too desperate to have the work done – observing is also part of the job. It will be easier to find the picture if you learn to observe, it will come to you, like the book that is written way before the writer gets to sit down and write.

Grab a pocket camera.

This tip would be good for all those who are lacking the will to grab and prepare their big slash heavy equipment, but also for those who enjoy documenting everything. If you have a small camera that you can fit in your pocket, keep it always with you. You do not need to create incredible work, but to connect with whatever it is that you are doing. The small camera might come in handy, for whenever the inspiration hits you, so do not let her go. Some budget-friendly options: Simple Use Reloadable Camera, or a Diana Mini.

Keep a notebook handy.

There is a quote from Joan Didion in her book The Year of Magical Thinking that goes, “Had he not warned me when I forgot my own notebook that the ability to make a note when something came to mind was the difference between being able to write and not being able to write?” I keep this one very close. I think it applies to any creative discipline. If you’ve seen the picture and you do not have a camera with you – write down where you are, describe the place, the feeling that you have. If a thought hits you, you gotta keep it, grab a piece of paper and write it down. Your ideas are worthy, again, do not let them go.

Photograph what you don’t know.

Last but not least, this tip is a two-in-one and comes from a book that I found a while ago thanks to my photographer friend David Lurvey. It is called The photographer’s playbook and if you did not know about it, I recommend you go take a look, it is really helpful for times when some instructions would be more than welcome to keep ourselves creating. It also has great ideas and short essays from different photographers in the world. The tip comes from John Pfahl, and it goes "Photograph what you don’t know. It makes life interesting."

Hope these were helpful and you had a nice time reading. We would love to know about you - what is keeping you flowing these days? What advice can you share with the world? Leave your comment!

To see more of Reggina's photos, follow her LomoHome and Instagram.

2021-01-01 #tutorials