Nightski

The thread that Ace&Deuce started has turned into a creativity discussion. I thought that discussion merited it's own thread. Here are some of my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours.

Six things I can think of that stifle creativity:

1) Fear. Being afraid of failure. Being afraid of what others might think. Fear stemming from past failures.

2) Keep your mind busy all the time. Take some time doing nothing, or doing things that allow your mind to wander. In this digital age where we are all so connected on the internet, this one takes on new meaning.

3) Trying to please others. Your creativity won't be like anyone else's. If you try to imitate someone else, your creativity will be lost. If you try to do what you think other people will like, your creativity will be lost.

4)Never try anything new. You all have photographs that you know you can nail every time. How can you be creative if you don't step out of your comfort zone. Learn about something that you aren't even interested in, and try it. You may come away with a new idea for doing the shots you are comfortable doing.

5)Follow the rules of photography to the letter. Some of the best most memorable images have been created breaking every rule in the book. Learn the rules of good camera work, and the rules of good composition, use them as your guidelines, and then think of ways to break them.

6)Keep it Simple. Use your camera in program mode. Shoot only in optimal light. Don't go outside if the weather is bad. Don't hike up a steep hill or hike a long distance. Don't take your camera with if it's going to be a bother. Don't crawl on your belly, or climb a fence. If it's not easy, then just don't do it.

….. and these are some of the best ways I know to stifle creativity. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

One of the things which will foster creativity in photography is to be flexible in the use of settings and ideas rather than develop a rigid set of techniques and approaches to the art. 8-)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Trying to do things to a formula instead of following your instincts.

waykee7 Loc: Cortez, Colorado

In general, I very much agree with the general idea to step outside of one's routines to facilitate creativity.

On the other hand, I'm not sure how to account for the story told about John Browning. The famous American inventor had, as I recall, about 140 patents, and the closest candidate in his field had 5 patents. Someone told Browning about a writer who said he did his best work sitting in a particular seat on a certain train every morning. Browning said he understood that because he was most comfortable, and did his best work, sitting in his workbench, arranged just a certain way with favorite tools in familiar locations. I can relate; I have two workstations, one for clay work, and one for painting, and before I start work, I like my workspace clean and organized a certain way.

When I was in graduate school, I became interested in Systems Dynamics, that is, computer modeling of complex systems. About 25 years ago, I got in an argument from an old high school friend of mine who was brilliant, went to Cal Tech and Berkley. We were arguing about nature versus nurture, and he argued that in 10 or 20 years we were going to see so much come out of the field of genetics that I would be shocked to see how hardwired we are about a whole range of matters. Some of these came to be, and I was willing to concede he was correct until the field of epigenetics developed. Now I think we were both right. Which brings me back to Systems Dynamics. If there is a great lesson from Systems Dynamics, it's that we do poorly predicting the behavior of complex systems because our understanding of complexity is so poor. So when we come to creativity, I would submit what we are looking at is a very complex system containing complex systems of genetics, epigenetics, experience, personality, talent, socialization, etc. and creativity is a potential output of those complex systems. We might be able to teach or foster creativity, but we understand how to do so poorly because we understand the complexity poorly, and our outcomes at teaching creativity suffer as a result. We have much room for improvement. The father of Systems Dynamics, Jay Forrester, who made such significant contributions to computers that he may be seen as the father of computers also, got bored with computers and invented Systems Dynamics. He said that what we have done with computers so far is to use them to think in ways that we have always thought. . . faster and faster. He thought we were a couple of generations away from developing our skills with computers so that we thought DIFFERENTLY. It will be fun to see what that looks like with photography. And Creativity.

Nightski

Everyone has different instincts, so that would definitely result in doing something that is uniquely you. :-)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Fosters Lager works, if there's no Guiness to be had. ;-)

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

put that camera down - think what picture you would like to take, where and when you could take it, plan it. work out and pack everything that you need to take with you. organize your travel. get there.
and it will RAIN......

ziggykor Loc: East Texas

Actually, keeping things simple encourages creativity. But using program mode can be counter productive. Of course keeping it simple deals more with composition than it does with camera mode.

Nightski

Actually, I planned a photo shoot like this once, and it turned out to be one of my favorites. I did have to wait for the rain to stop, however. :-) But I agree. Being ready, having your camera with you, probably will result in shots you didn't expect, but really love.

Nightski

I think instead of saying Keeping it simple, I should have said being lazy will kill your creativity. I was trying too hard to say it politely.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Nightski, I have it from good sources, that using a Nikon will not only stifle creativity, but that it can actually stunt your growth and cause men to shoot blanks !!
Even if it's pure, vicious rumor, I'm taking NO chances!! :lol:
SS

Nightski

I can always count on you for a good bit of fun, can't I SS? :lol:

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Yes....now that's the correct use. :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Hey, fun is what stimulates my creativity. When it stops being fun, it's time to move on!! And so it goes. It's just not that complicated.
SS

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

There no rules. The difference between rigidity and creativity are impossible to quantify. Some people are talented at some activity and some are not. For an example take song writing for one. Any one can write a song, but it takes talent to write a great song. The hardest thing to do in all of sport is to hit a baseball. Michael Jordan was a talented basketball player but he couldn't hit the major league curveball. Talent is a gift.So is great creativity.