subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 17 August 2019 25
Gannetswerea
familiarsubjectfor
RichardPeters,
butvisitinga new
location– in this
case,Shetland–
inspiredhimtotry
differenttechniques
todepictthesize
ofthecolonyFINDING INSPIRATION
e mpty
of picture, unable to come up with
a new idea that excites and stays
with you. How do you rediscover
your creative energy? Is it possible
to prescribe a plan of action to
regain your photographic mojo?
Hearing how the professionals deal
with it may just provide the remedy
you could be looking for or at least
reassure you that you’re not alone
and it’s not incurable.‘The equivalent of writer’s block
for photographers is more common
now because there are so many
good images out there, so to
do something that is genuinely
original or innovative is actually
quite difficult,’ says landscape
professional Ross Hoddinott. ‘The
challenge to produce material that
not only excites you but excites
other people as well is very hard.’
Ross believes this challenge is
greater for landscape photographers
because factors such as the light
and weather conditions are out of
the photographer’s control, unlike a
studio-based professional who has
control over everything except a
model’s timekeeping. He confesses
to losing his own mojo on plenty ofoccasions, but has learnt how to
deal with it. ‘In the past, it would
really bother me, but I’ve learnt not
to force it. That’s the big thing, not
to panic. In the past, I’d try to push.
But if you’re not feeling creative,
then trying to make yourself go
out and be creative is the worst
thing you can do.’
This view is shared by wildlife
photographer Richard Peters,
who believes time away from the
camera can be therapeutic for
taking pressure off and restoring
confidence in your own abilities.
He explains: ‘The problem with
seeing or working in familiar places
is that your impression, your
perception of it, stays the same.
I like to go somewhere new, rent
a cottage for a few days in the
country, away from the computer
and email, and free my mind.’
One first-time visit saw Richard
travel to Shetland to photograph
gannets – not a new subject by any
means, but the change of location
led him to try a new technique. ‘I
decided rather than the traditional
slow pan shot, I’d use a wider lens,
a tripod and a slow shutter speed
to emphasise the sheer number
of birds before me,’ he says.A fresh perspective
Taking a break is something Ross
also recommends. ‘Sometimes
you need a little break when your
imagination is lacking,’ he explains.
‘It reminds you that this is the thing
you love, that even if you weren’t
paid to do it, it’s something you
would go out and do.’
Richard agrees, but he also sees
a break as a means of providing the
time and space to evaluate the worth
and direction of an existing project.
‘For me, it also helps to reaffirm
what I am working on or doing at
the time. It’s not just about finding
inspiration.’ That said, he stresses
the value of seeing something for the
first time, to gain a fresh perspective
that is so often the precursor to
rejuvenating your photography.
‘When you see something totally
new with fresh eyes that hasn’t
been influenced by previous‘The problem with
seeing or working
in familiar places isthat your impression,
your perception of it,
stays the same’