You might think of yourself as a certain type of photographer, but that label can limit your creativity. It’s common to pigeonhole oneself into a specific genre, especially if you're a professional. However, breaking free from these labels can open up new avenues for expression and growth.
Coming to you from Alister Benn, this enlightening video explores the concept of creative flexibility in photography. Benn discusses his own experiences on the Isle of Lewis, where the changing seasons and unpredictable weather conditions challenged his usual approach. He realized that relying on dramatic light and storms limited his creativity during the quieter summer months. To stay creative year-round, he embraced different subjects and techniques, like photographing wildflowers with a close-up lens, even though it wasn't his usual style.
Benn highlights the importance of being adaptable. For instance, he used that close-up lens to capture detailed images of flowers. This setup allowed him to reduce the minimal focal distance and achieve high magnification, perfect for his summer photography. The results were stunning, proving that you don't need specialized macro equipment to create beautiful close-up shots.
The video also underscores the mental health benefits of photography. Benn talks about how the simple act of engaging with nature and focusing through the viewfinder can be incredibly therapeutic. It's not always about producing perfect images for others to admire; sometimes, it's about the joy of creation and the escape it offers from everyday stresses. This mindset shift can help you find new inspiration and satisfaction in your work, even if the final images are just for your personal enjoyment.
Benn’s exploration of color and black-and-white photography provides another layer of creative experimentation. He shares examples where he transformed vibrant, yet unappealing, color scenes into high-contrast black-and-white images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Benn.
If you would like to continue learning about macro photography, be sure to check out "Mastering Macro Photography: The Complete Shooting and Editing Tutorial With Andres Moline!"
Nothing can humble you as a photographer more than switching gears and trying another genre that you aren't as familiar with. I learn this lesson every time I take a professional camera underwater and try to capture beautiful scuba photos. I fail miserably every single time.