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A lot of what we teach on workshops is related to creativity. You know, those intangible ideas and ‘feelings’ that seem hard to articulate. While many people can figure out what mode to use and button to push on the camera, mastering creativity seems much more esoteric. You’ve heard the saying….’you are either born with the creative gene or you don’t have it.’ Can you really learn creativity?
The short answer is yes, we can all develop our creativity and find our photographic style. There are tangible graphic design principles you can learn, and by simple practice you will hone your creativity. Everyone has their own mix of right brain (creative) and left brain (logical). We just need to explore creative ideas and techniques to continue our walk down the path of creativity. I always tell workshop participants ‘I’m still figuring out my camera’….you never reach an end point in the creative process, only different stops along the way. The trick is turning the creative page and developing your vision further.
Here is a simple concept that might help. For an image to be more effective design elements need to be harmonious with one another. If you are going for a calm, tranquil image using blue hues and curving lines is perfect. But if in that image there is one jagged, diagonal line, this element goes against what the other elements are conveying to the viewer. On the other hand if I am photographing a kayaker paddling off a waterfall then having his boat be red is a good choice (versus blue). Red conveys danger, quickens the pulse and gets our attention, perfect for this kayaking shot.
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Take a look at this image along the Merced river in Yosemite. A quiet, peaceful morning with fog and calm water in the scene. Notice how the river lazily winds into the shot? Except there is a problem. The fallen tree on the left creates a strong diagonal line, completely killing the peaceful nature of this image. This fallen tree is not harmonious in design with the other image elements.
Take a look at this shot from Norway. Strong triangles and diagonal lines start in the foreground and end with the same shapes in the background mountains. The design elements are harmonious and the image is stronger. The same could be said for the image at top from white sands. Nice curving lines intersect throughout the entire image, harmonious elements with an inviting orange backdrop.
The next time you are composing an image (and genre), take a moment and ask yourself what you are trying to say. Make sure your design elements are harmonious to help get the message across.