The photo heroes at SmugMug have devised these 10 tips to get you out of that photography rut and into a more adventurous and fulfilling phase.
1) Shoot something new
If you’re a portrait or a wedding photographer, you do the same thing all the time. Why not point that lens at something else: A sunset, people on the street, flowers in your garden, skateboarders at the park, the Milky Way?
You may discover new ways to use your existing gear that you never would have thought of before.
2) Find a group to shoot with
Go on a photo walk. Social sites like Meetup.com and Google+ are only two of many options where you can find like-minded photographers to shoot something fun.
SmugMug has some quick tips if you’re thinking about organising your own photo walk.
3) Shoot a theme
Sometimes the way to stretch yourself is – yes, it’s contrary advice – to limit your boundaries.
Try taking pictures of just red things, a series only looking upwards, or any series you can think of with a common theme.
You’ll find yourself liberated by the rules, grounded by great focus, and perhaps even see something new in the mundane.
4) Rent something new
With companies like Borrowlenses.com (it’s part of ClubSmug, offering logged-in SmugMuggers a special discount on future lens rental) out there, it’s easy to take your dream lens for a spin.
From macros to mega-zooms, you can get anything you want shipped to your door and enjoy it for as little (or as long) as you like.
It’s especially great for getting to use highly specialised lenses like fisheyes, which pack a lot of punch mixed up in with regular portfolio offerings.
5) Try a Daily Photo project
It’s not a new concept, but daily photo projects are a great idea. It’s neat to take a picture every day, whether you frame it with a common theme or just take a picture of whatever you’re doing at a certain time each day.
They make fantastic time capsules. For inspiration, check out SmugMug’s Daily Photos community to see how others are documenting their lives.
6) Take a break from shooting
More contrary advice. Stop taking pictures. Give it a rest for a while.
Try new things that don’t flex your photography muscles, and you may find your creativity flooding back.
7) Take a workshop
Some people thrive in a classroom. With the boom of digital photography workshops of all types, you’re bound to find a way to learn something totally new, and find the best environment for you.
From one-day classes to week-long trips, you can take up a brand-new photo skill and actually get good at it in relatively short time.
8) Look at other people’s art
Taking an afternoon to the museum could be the best thing you ever did for your craft. Switch gears, stop stressing about creating your own art and take a look at what others have done before you.
The timeless work of old masters or the trailblazing pieces of new ones will inspire, stretch and get your brain thinking in great new ways.
9) Travel
We’re biased, but there’s nothing like travel to feed your soul. Speak, eat, look, immerse yourself in new cultures and notice new things.
And you don’t have to go far either. Become a traveller in your home town. Volunteer, join a club, visit somewhere you’ve never been before – anything to give you a new perspective.
10) Enter a contest
Sometime a little friendly competition is just what you need to hone in and focus on your craft. Get the blood pumping with a photo contest where there’s a set theme and (if you like) a tasty prize.
Check the rules and ensure that the way the organisers handle copyright and ownership of submitted images works for you.
A fortnight of www.smugmug.com is absolutely free and membership starts at the pocket-money price of $5 per month (£3 or so at current rates).
(Feature image by Windermere Studios)
