After I had retired, and my wife and I had moved to Kelowna, BC from Montreal I became quite serious about digital photography, a luxury I could never have enjoyed while working. Exploring the beautiful Okanagan Valley while hiking with my wife, Jane and our Golden Retriever became a large part of our new outdoor life. Having been married only a short time, I can remember my wife, who knew I was a committed photographer, once asking me why I very rarely ever brought along my camera.
NIKON D300 + 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 50mm, ISO 250, 1/200, f/7.1
I had to admit it seemed like a paradox to me – a reasonable question for which I had no answer! Fast forward a year or so and the answer emerges into the light of day.
Here is my take on the question of walking the dog and being creative.
NIKON D300 + 12-24mm f/4 @ 18mm, ISO 500, 1/1, f/4.0
My experience with painting, drawing, and the whole Fine Art scene that constituted much of my youth, reminded me that when you’re in a creative state, you’re most definitely in a right brain state of mind and if you’re familiar with this mode, you’ll also know that this is not the time to socialize, but the time to look inside and dig deep for creative juices. Yikes, it all sounds like work to me!
NIKON D300 + 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28mm, ISO 200, 1/15, f/4.5
Here’s my take on how to maximize your right brain photographic experience…
- Give Yourself the Time and Space (can we call it Freedom?) to Connect with your Creative Side. Set no timetable or agenda other than where you wish to start from. My best work is often while walking, hiking or cycling and rarely (as in never) through the windows of my Honda.
- Don’t Limit Yourself with a Rigid Plan of Action. Be open to inspiration. While I think that photo clubs and groups can help energize and focus people towards a common interest in photography, I have never been a proponent of the “This month our theme is… (fill in the blank)” school of thought. My best work was motivated by what took my interest and what I became engaged in while out in the real world. Be open to whatever Wi Fi ideas jump out and grab your attention.
Storm clouds grow over the mountains, Green Bay, West Kelowna, BC, Canada - Bring the Equipment That’ll Do the Job. Bring along your tripod, monopod, filters, lenses, batteries, etc. you need to do the job properly. Nothing is worse than having the chance for a great shot and you haven’t brought along the right equipment. Be prepared and when the opportunity presents itself you’ll have no excuses for not taking home winning shots.
- Immerse Yourself in the Process without any Expectation of Success or Failure. A favorite Ontario, Canada fine art painter whose work I enjoy advised to, “Be prepared to throw away the first 300 paintings as part of the learning process.” Feel free to enjoy yourself. Immerse yourself in the process of shooting and then learn from the process itself and don’t expect success to come immediately.
- Be Curious. Open yourself up to new opportunities to explore your world.
NIKON D300 + 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 100mm, ISO 400, 1/500, f/9.0
One of my most rewarding shooting experiences was prompted by an impromptu visit to a tiny rural museum where I could shoot anything and everything. As a result, I walked away with dozens of winning shots and a boost to my creative confidence. Opportunity awaits around every corner if you’re curious enough. Being creative is always a focused, solitary activity. Ask any artist. Concentrate on the job at hand and leave the schmoozing (or walking Fido) for some other time.
NIKON D300 + 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 18mm, ISO 640, 1/250, f/3.5
This guest post was contributed by Tom Cooper. Tom is a member in good standing of Professional Photographers of Canada. For a decade he taught digital cameras, digital photography, digital photo-editing and digital file management at Okanagan College’s Kelowna, BC campus. He currently teaches the Digital Photography Certificate Program at Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta. Tom and his wife reside in Kelowna, BC, Canada
© 2018 by T. W. Cooper All images and blog content are the property of the author. All rights reserved.
Tom
As a person much like yourself and came from film to the digital world a few years ago. You did more than hit the nail on the head I am much the same as yourself. I think you have to become comfortable with ones self first to enjoy letting yourself free to express yourself. Its a very big benefit to understand your gear and all its limitations along with that never be afraid to push the boundary’s. I must confess I never leave home without a shot in my head I don’t always get it perfect on the screen but 99% of the time it is. My only final comment is enjoy your retirement and try as much to test yourself out I know I have to. If you get some time.
www.flickr.com/photo…14724@N03/
Perth WA
Steve
Thanks Steve. I’m impressed that you can leave home with a pre-set shot in your head. I think the only time I have ever had shots already going around my thoughts was when I shot weddings and the routine was fairly predictable from A to Z. I continue to teach full-time at a Western Canadian community college in digital photography and digital cameras so I’m not sure that actual retirement is on the horizon yet but one can only hope one day. Having said that I have to admit that teaching has always encouraged me to push the limits in every direction in my own thinking about the entire creative process and most, if not all, of the blogs came out of the questions put to me by my students. Cheers.
I definitely relate to Tom’s dislike for theme-oriented shooting. However, I have found the benefit for such shooting, particularly for a beginner, is how such approaches and techniques can push and prime what might otherwise be dormant right-brained potential—I’ve always appreciated Bryan Peterson’s encouragements throughout his videos to look where you normally might not look. More than “theme” related, it’s a way to inspire and help those creative juices come alive.
Great article. Thanks!
Thanks for your comments. I still teach photography full-time (online) through a local community college here in Western Canada, so I’m not sure actual retirement is on the horizon yet. I have felt compelled to write several blogs on the topic of always being a “curious” photographer, looking for (and embracing) opportunities everywhere and anywhere and working your own scene from every conceivable angle (what I call the swivel neck). Cheers. Tom Cooper
Thanks! Wishing you all the best in your photography and retirement. I just retire and hope to do the same. Great tips!
Thanks Ziggy. At this point in my life I don’t think retirement is actually ever going to be on the horizon and there just seems to be more and more challenges to learn and grow in digital photography and in the teaching of this wonderfully creative medium. Maybe I’ll just keep redefining my direction every decade or so though! :)
Tom
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 100mm
How is that possible?
Hi Rolly, I just dug out the image file and the EXIF metadata in fact says 28mm.
Tom Cooper
Hi Tom,
I am somewhat ambivalent on the subject of “themes” in photography clubs. I agree that its great to let people do what they enjoy but I also feel that sometimes it is good to get them out of their comfort zone and try something really different. I have learnt more by photographing subjects I am not comfortable with than by always going for my safe space. That said I think there should be a balance between the two and a good deal of help and advice along the way.
Having said that I love your pictures, they have a great mood about them, many thanks for sharing!
Hi Tony, I have a rather interesting blog that I wrote several years ago after being asked to photograph some sheep for a local herder (is that the term?). Initially I balked at even the thought. Was I ever to be surprised when it turned out to be a most engaging experience that forced me to look for beauty in the most unlikely of places… on my hands and knees amidst a herd of sheep! The name of the blog is Don’t Look a Gift Sheep in the Mouth: Creative Opportunities Don’t Always Come Gift Wrapped! and it echoes my fervent belief that one can never know where the next creative subject is going to pop up unannounced into our lives. And to never say No. While the group thing will never be my thing, I most certainly adhere to the philosophy of trying anything (at least once) and, yes, bravely venture beyond our cocoon of comfort.
Excellent Article, Tom. Helps me feel less selfish about wanting to be alone, in a quiet state of mind, when I go out on a shoot.
Don
Th nagging feeling that I am somehow “taking away” time from my friends, family, spouse, etc. is always going to be a bit of a problem and I will always try to do my best to balance my time with others with my passion for expressing myself through art and photography. I think those individuals who really know me, appreciate that I wouldn’t be the same person were I to ignore the needs of the inner artist.
This is a wonderful article that has helped me realize that creativity is not always spot on. Photography is very helpful in making me slowwwwww down in this life. Thank you, I love photography life, and it has been a joy to read the articles.
How do you mean “spot on”? I do, though, agree that photography, in fact any artistic pursuit, probably forces us to get into that rather magical right brain mode which does offer an almost altered reality where time isn’t at all of the essence.
“Always” and “never” are adverbs that should be used sparingly. Some winning shots have of course been purely fortuitous, while others have been deliberate. And the wrong title can destroy the entire credibility of an article —or of an author, for that matter.
And the joke of it all is that the editor in the family is my wife. Why didn’t she edit out the word “never” and find a more apt synonym? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
That’s so true. To be in the right state of mind you have to slow down and it’s usually better to be alone (or at least be with someone who is not in a rush).
For most people it’s hard to dedicate enough time and energy for photography until they retire. I went to a local photography club meetings several times and it was all just retired people. I know from my own example that after spending 10-12 hours at work every day I can’t find any creativity left in my head (not that it was too much of it to begin with).
Anyway, enjoy your photographic journey and hopefully you will share some more of your beautiful photos with us in the future.
Thanks Sinisa. Wishing you all the best in your photography!
Great article with powerful messages.
Thanks Antonio. So glad it meant something to you as it did to me when I originally wrote it.