Creativity - a learned skill or "you're just born with it"?

george g said:
I tend to subscribe to the idea that anyone, with enough experience and learning can master something, at any age. This leads me down the line that creativity can be learnt and is as much about experimenting with things as knowing how to be creative.
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We all though have varying APTITUDES for things (not culturally conditioned but stemming from each individual's genetic inheritance).

george g said:
If people feel safe or know that getting things wrong won't hurt them then they will be more inclined to try to be creative and experiment, learn from those experiences and at worst, know what doesn't work, BUT if people feel a pressure to perform ... then they will be more inclined to play it safe and go for the formulas that have been proven, all because they don't want to be "wrong"...
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Referring to the emperor's new clothes though - neither is it a question of 'anything goes'.
 
Great topic, Quicksnapper, and a very good discussion.

It's great to see a discussion that does NOT involve gear and is just about photography.

I think creativity can be learnt just like any skill. Like any skill, some will be better at it than others, more gifted.

I very much like the point made about good photographs "communicating". Telling a story. I agree this does raise the interest in a shot.

What I noticed in my own photography early on is that my mind was so busy worrying about getting the tech stuff right I couldn't think clearly about creativity. It felt like I was just getting a job done, not having fun.

One of the things that really helps this creative process is just taking a little extra time to think a shot through - sometimes a lot of time is required to plan a shot. Taking time to visualise the image you want to make, taking control, making the photo your own.

We tend to label work as creative when we like it. As though the more people there are that like a photograph, the more creative it must be. So we are defining creativity as what is most socially acceptable? Or is it enough that the person who took the shot finds it creative and that's enough? It seems very subjective.
 
I think I very a from person to person. I have seen some people start off not very creative but gradually become somewhat creative in their shots. I have also seen people that have shot for 30 years and they really should consider taking up fishing or something. Lol just playing of course. I did not read all the other replies so forgive me if it's been said, but I think one of the very best ways to get your creative juices flowing is to look at others work as much as possible. That has helped me a lot and as a matter of fact I need to start doing it again.


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Agree with shaylou - I also think intelligence plays a part. As in, intelligent dissection of why some things work and some don't (ie looking at masters of painting, photography) then seeing how you can apply it to your work. Also, age - as in once you've has more years to look and learn, you do tend to get better! But it is fair to say that some people are just born with more of a creative ability than others, although that should never put anyone off looking, learning and doing, in order for them to get better too.
 
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