1. Lack of thought.

As a film photographer the consumable costs of photography were much higher. This forced us to think and carefully consider each shot. There was a greater thought process. Using a motor drive for taking multiple shots was for the press photographers who could afford take thirty six images in a few seconds. For the rest of us we had to think more before pressing the button.

2. The Shakespeare effect.

This is the evolutionary idea that if you give a roomful of monkeys a typewriter each and enough time, they will eventually produce a work equal in quality to Shakespeare. There is a similar mindset among digital photographers that if they shoot enough photos, somewhere amongst the thousands will be quality images. You have as much chance as that happening as a monkey.

3. Drive by shooting syndrome.

This is similar to the lack of thought in taking a photo. Because of the multiple shot feature in digital cameras and the low cost of digital photography, it’s quick an easy to take an image. Just like a drive by shooting the camera is pointed in the general direction of the subject and a bunch of images is taken. Then you move on to the next target and fire away again.

So what’s the answer? Plain and simple slow down, right down and smell the roses as the saying goes. The creative process is methodical and well thought out. You need to be able to observe, think and then take action. Because digital photography is so quick, cheap and easy the principles and techniques of photography tend to get sidelined.

Here are a few steps to encourage your creative process.

1. Make or allocate time for your creative process.

Creativity won’t be hurried. At times it may come to you quickly but this is the exception rather than the norm. So sit down and absorb the environment. Observe your surroundings, subjects and any activity. Let it become a part of you.

2. Be selective.

Find something that turns you or rather your creativity on. If this is colour then focus on the rich hues and shades. If it’s an object or subject observe it carefully in relation to it’s surroundings. Now close your eyes and picture the final image.

3. Change your position or viewpoint.

By looking at your subject from different angles, heights or positions the image will change as the subject changes in relation to its environment. All of a sudden you see things you never would have seen.

4. Try something different.

Shoot a traditional tourist shot of your subject and then look for a shot that is completely different, one you’ve never seen before. Make it unrecognisable. Hire a boat and shoot from the the water. Go to the top of a nearby building or if you’re adventurous climb a tree or lie down on your back.

Creativity is often just doing something different. Something that hasn’t been done before. The key element that I have found to creativity is time. So take your time and smell the roses. Your photography will never be the same again. Put photography, creative photography back into digital photography.

Before we look at the sources of inspiration you need to understand that inspiration can be created if you don’t take the time and allow it to develop. The idea of shooting away until something happens just doesn’t work. You have to create the atmosphere.

1. Read your camera manual

Learning how to use your camera creatively is essential to the process so get to know its features and settings. Features like aperture and how it affects depth of field as well how to use shutter speed. When to use ISO is very important in digital photography.

2. Read a newspaper

The weekend newspapers are best for great photography especially in the lifestyle and travel sections. I am always inspired by great travel images.

3. Visit a flea market

There is just so much activity at a flea market if you’re after people and things. Look at the tables and you will see items that have history. There are lots of patterns, textures and large amounts of clutter and things. Plenty here to inspire.

4. Visit Google images online

Here you will find millions of images that will inspire. Do a search on your favourite subjects or things and see how others have photographed them. You can pick up ideas and great ways to compose photos. Don’t copy them but be inspired to shoot similar images.

5. Change your angles

Get down lower or higher. Lie down on your back and just observe from that viewpoint. All of a sudden you will start seeing things you have never seen before.

6. Read photo blogs

I have seen the most amazing photos on blogs dedicated to photography. There are some amazingly talented photographers on these sites. They write about how to create the images they have taken and give a host of tips to improve your photos.

7. Buy a photography book or magazine

These are two really great sources of inspiration especially in the reader’s galleries where people submit their images for review and criticism. By reading the sections on technique and doing the tutorials you cannot avoid being inspired.

8. Make photography friends

Make sure that you look to make friends with other photographers. You can do this by joining a photographic club in your area. Here you’ll see the work of others and also be able to submit your own work. We feed off each other’s energy and inspiration is a natural by product.

9. Play with your settings

By experimenting and just playing around with your settings you will find yourself shooting images that you just want to try again and again. The old adage says that nothing breeds success like success. The same goes for inspiration.

10. Take a photography course or workshop

Learning from the experiences of great photographers and teachers will always be an inspiration. A photography class will teach you ways of shooting as well as the fundamentals of great image taking.

These 10 sources are just some of many. If you want be inspired then look for inspiration and allow yourself time for it to happen. Inspiration cannot be rushed.

1. Visualise your image

Know what you want in your image before taking it. Composition is not luck or chance. You don’t shoot a great photo by chance. By considering what you want in your image and placing it according to the rules you’ll be able to repeat great images all the time.

2. Choose the right subject matter

When visualising a scene there are always several possibilities for a subject and related elements in the photos. By choosing the right subject for a particular image you will create the perfect image. The right subject for the right scene will create the right photo.

3. Choose the right focal point

It is essential when choosing a subject to place it on a focal point that will create interest in the image. This is the area that draws the eye of the viewer into the photograph. This focuses the eye on the part of the photo you want to emphasise. There may be several possibilities but choosing the right one will create the best possible image.

4. Choosing the best format

Most photos are shot in landscape or horizontal format but try turning the camera to see a portrait format could work better. In between the two is a 45 degree angle which makes an image dynamic with the diagonal lines created by the tilted view.

5. Watch the background

A busy background can be distracting and detract the eye from a perfect subject and overall composition. Use a shallow depth of field to blur out a busy background. Plain backgrounds always work well in an image so look for the best background before creating the composition

6. Lines that lead the eye within image

Although you have a great subject and overall good composition placed on a good focal point you still need something more. That is lines, vertical, horizontal, diagonal and converging. If you can place your subject on a focal point at the end of a line such as a shape or a curve it will lead the eye to that focal point of interest. By directing the eye within an image you will create a much more dynamic photo.

Composition is king when creating photos and a successful overall composition will result in a stunning photograph which is what we all want achieve. By putting just these six steps into practise regularly will help you see a dramatic improvement in the resulting photos. Happy shooting!