C&T Publications Eye on Fine Art Photography - June 2014 | Page 89

Five Ways to Keep Your Photography Talent
Sharp
By Lorna Kirkby

Number 1: Mentoring Input
There are so many rewarding aspects in life and one of them is growing in something you love,
something that you're good at. Not only do we feel a sense of accomplishment, but we feel
larger on the inside. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist
with a knack for photography, improving your talent is a special thrill. On the flipside, there
are few things more frustrating than that feeling of being stuck under a glass ceiling where you
feel jaded, your work starts to feel dull, your passion begins to wane, and your creative juices
dry up. We all plateau from time to time, and it's important to get out of the rut quickly. So,
how do you sharpen your photography talent?
One of the best ways to reignite the flames is through mentoring: getting fresh eyes on what
you do from someone you respect, someone ahead of you in the field you're in. It's amazing how a few hours with a coach can
breathe fresh wind in your sails, restoring the sharpness to your game and re-awakening dormant creativity. Yes, it requires an
investment of time and money, but it's an investment in you... helping you break through that 'ceiling,' enabling you to soar higher.

Number 2: Personal Projects
Life is full of so many good things and the feeling of growing and improving in the things you do and love ranks up with one of the
more rewarding experiences. The converse-feeling deflated, dull, and dry-easily ranks down low with draining experiences. For
many artists (including photographers), recognising when this happens and finding ways to reignite the spark is crucial to fulfilment
and effectiveness over the long haul.
At the risk of sounding a little simplistic, taking on the challenge of a photo-a-day project (whether it's for a week or a month) is
another way of shaking things up and breaking out of any creative lethargy or dullness. Whether you aim to photograph those simple
around-the-house moments that happen as part of your everyday family living or adopt a theme for the week (such as 'colours', or
'old versus new' or 'light versus dark' or... [the choices are endless]), this seemingly small commitment gets the sparks flying and the
juices flowing. Experiment a little. Try something new, different, even odd. Go wild. Colour outside the lines. Have fun.
It always surprises me how easily and quickly we can get into a rut, settle for less, and allow limitations-related to time, money,
attitude, circumstance, and so on-to bind us. Thinking outside the box, even in small ways, can set us free and jumpstart a new
adventure in creative expression.

Number 3: Stick Your Neck Out
All artists experience times when the streams of creativity run dry. Writers get writer's block, painters get canvass shock, actors get
stage fright, and photographers get image fatigue. You know the feeling: what used to just flow easily now takes a Herculean effort;
what was once fresh is now dull and dreary. It takes more to do less. When spontaneity is replaced with drudgery you know you've
got to do something quickly to stop the rot. While there are a number of things you can do, the third thing we're going to look at in
this series is this: stick your neck out.
A new challenge often provides the necessary shot of adrenalin we need to find another level, to dig a little deeper. We often get
stuck in the routine of what we do, where familiarity breeds apathy. Sticking your neck out can break you free from these shackles.
So, what do I mean?
Decide to enter a photography competition, or submit your images to a photography forum and invite constructive feedback. Besides
the feedback you'll get, this instantly snaps you out of the mundaneness of the familiar. Sometimes we just need a bit of challenge,
and most artists perform better with a little prod.
If you're not keen on sticking your neck out, then another way to expose yourself is this: step out of your current photography niche.
If you're a portrait photographer, experiment with some landscape photography. Get outside, shoot the sunset, a waterfall, o ȁ