Tips to Unleash Your Creative Potential as a Photographer | lenworth johnson photography

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Frame it Friday

Every month, Lenworth Johnson Photography provides insightful blogs and exclusive information about the newest tips and guest contributors.

Unleashing your creative path
Unleashing your creative path

Frame iT Friday

Photography is a fantastic way to express your creativity. Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, it is important to understand how to maximize your creative potential and take stunning shots. With the right tools, you can unlock your inner creative genius and become the photographer you always wanted to be. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to unleash your creative potential as a photographer. Let's get started!

 

Take on personal photography projects

If you're looking to take your photography skills to the next level, personal photography projects can be a great way to do it. With these types of projects, you are in full control of the creative process and have the freedom to explore new techniques and ideas. By taking on personal photography projects, you will push yourself to become a better photographer and learn more about your craft.
When choosing a personal photography project, consider something that will challenge you and allow you to explore different approaches. Think about a particular theme or genre that interests you, or perhaps even a destination. As you set out to capture unique images for the project, keep your audience in mind and think about how to captivate them with your work.
Start small and slowly increase the complexity of each project as you gain experience. Make sure you are consistent in setting deadlines for yourself so that you stay on track and complete the project within a reasonable amount of time. Most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy the process.

 

 

Get inspired by other photographers

If you're looking for ways to get inspired in your creative journey as a photographer, one great way is to look at other photographers’ work and see what they’re doing. Follow photographers on social media, check out their portfolios online, and read their blog posts to learn more about them and their style. You can also check out photography magazines and movies that feature photography – these can be great sources of inspiration. Look at how the photographs are composed, how the subjects are lit, and what elements the photographer is using to tell a story with their photos. Seeing how others approach their craft can be a great way to get inspired and help you come up with new ideas for your own work.

Join a photography community

Taking the step to join a photography community is an invaluable way to unleash your creative potential as a photographer. When you join a photography community, you become connected to other photographers who are passionate about photography and can provide feedback and support. This can be particularly useful if you are feeling stuck or uninspired. You can find these communities online, or there may even be local groups in your area.
Many photography communities offer workshops and classes where members can get together and share their knowledge of different aspects of photography. There are also workshops specifically focused on areas such as studio photography, studio lighting, and light sculpting. These workshops can help to teach you new techniques and inspire you with fresh ideas. Joining a photography community can also open up networking opportunities, which can help you develop your skills and career.

Set some goals

Setting goals is a great way to focus and move forward in your photography journey. Before you start shooting, think about what you'd like to accomplish as a photographer. Do you want to master the art of studio photography? Maybe you want to master the techniques of studiolighting and lightsculpting? Whatever your goal may be, have a clear vision of what you want to achieve.
Creating achievable goals helps you break down larger tasks into more manageable steps. Make sure that the goals you set are attainable and measurable so that you can track your progress. Once you've achieved one goal, set another one and keep going! Working towards a goal is a great way to stay motivated and inspired on your creative path.

 

 

Set up a practice session

When you're looking to unleash your creative potential as a photographer, one of the best ways to do so is by setting up a practice session. Practice makes perfect, and this holds especially true when it comes to photography. By setting aside time to practice, you'll be able to hone in on your skills and learn more about your camera.
One of the best ways to practice is by setting up a studio in your home. This could be as simple as using a wall in your house as a backdrop and positioning your lighting to get the best shot. With a little bit of research, you can easily find out how to properly set up studiolighting for your photography needs. From there, you can experiment with different angles, lighting, and camera settings until you find something that really works for you.
If you don't have a studio, that's okay too! There are plenty of places where you can rent a studio space for studiophotography. This is an ideal way to practice if you don't have the resources or space for a studio at home. Not only will it provide you with better quality photos, but it will also give you access to more lighting options and props that can help take your images to the next level.

 

Take Aways

1) Creative photography requires a unique approach that puts your own artistic vision at the forefront. Taking on personal projects is a great way to express yourself and to hone your craft.
2) Drawing inspiration from other photographers can be a tool for learning about different techniques, as well as how to think outside the box. Find photographers whose work resonates with you and observe how they approach their subject matter.
3) Joining a photography community will give you access to resources, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities that can help you refine your craft.
4) Setting goals for yourself will help you stay motivated and track your progress. Set both short and long-term goals so you can take small steps towards reaching your overall objectives.
5) The best way to get better is through practice. Set up a regular practice session where you can experiment with different techniques, angles, and lighting. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you'll find new ways to unleash your creative potential.

 

New Drops

The Break down

Achieve a striking portrait look with just two lights!

With two simple lights, I was able to craft an eye-catching two light setup with a 22" Mola Beauty dish with white grid as the main light and 7" reflector in the background. For versatility and shimmering dimension, I used a VFlat folded in half for both table top and reflective purposes.

The photoshoot took us through a journey of beauty, artistry and style - from the first glance to the final captivating shot. Check out the film strip below.

 

And just incase youre wondering this shoot was done with nothing more than the bare essentials, in my small home studio.

The best things in life are spontaneous, just like this epic photos we capture daily! 

We always make sure to wrap up our shoots with a little bit of fun and this time it only took us 3 frames to get this incredible shot! 


Share your favorite spontaneous moment in the comments below!

How to plan for your next photoshoot

Attention all photographers! To alleviate the pressure and anxiety on your next shoot, planning ahead is crucial. As with any project, experience helps things run smoothly. Check out some key tips to remember for successful photo shoot. Below is a side by side image of how I pre plan my lighting setup for studio work using a software call set-a-light-3d  and you can see how close it is to my acutal setup on the shoot day. This alows me to have a fair idea of what my lighting will be and makes it easier to make ajustments as needed.

Light simulation

 

Shoot Day Setup

  • Communicate with your team and client ahead of time
  • Be flexible 
    Plan for long days.
  • Scout locations or studio depending on what the shoot calls for
    Following the brief requirements when choosing your locations or studio
  • Rent equipment from a reputable place
    Lensprotogo, Lensrentals or your local camera store.
  • Remember the  release forms
    Whether printed or digital
  • Estimate and include a buffer
    Don't forget to budget for the expenses associated with your shoot. (That includes scouting, assistant, hair and makeup, travel cost, food additional equipment etc.)
  • Remind everyone of what the expectations are a  day or so before the shoot
    Assign individuals with a task and include a deadline. What’s needed to set up a shot? Who is handling what? What are the expectations?

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to handle any unexpected challenges and create amazing images.

Remember, a well-planned shoot leads to a successful one!

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