Inspiration

mattchewone

mattchewone

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Matt
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Where does one go to get some inspiration? I really enjoy photography and really want to learn more and more and all I can think about is photos and techniques but I lack the art of posing and capturing creative work.

I see some shots and think WOW I could never get anything like that. I think I lack a bit of knowledge and inspiration! I have had a lot going on over the last few years and I think I find it hard to stop and concentrate! But I have booked myself onto a photography course to start in january so hopefully will learn something new.

But would really do with some help to inspire! I try to work things out a lot in my head and if I can't ill get stressed with it and end up loosing heart on it! As I can't set up my stuff during the week I have to wait to the weekend which makes the week long and stressful.

Thanks
 
Hi Matt,

being a totally newbie, but interested off and on for many years I know where you are coming from.

I have however found some inspiration from here, also just type into google photography inspiration / projects there are some great blogs with ideas.

Some of them like A to Z or photo a week can be really good I think the trick is, that you need to force yourself to just go take a photo, with a to z or 1 a week it can be good to have an idea, even if it comes out bad, that will push you to improve, or maybe go back and try it again, like a fix my botched attempt challenge.

I read somewhere on these forums of a challenge that was being run, picture a week to a randomly chosen theme. Sounds like fun, hopefully it will run again next year.

All in all, its about getting out there and having fun, also look on the forums for a tog buddy in your area, photogrophy can be a lonly game and having someone to go out with, share idea, compare and contrast will be a definite boon. Once I learn to use my camera, I am going to be following my own advice.

Good Luck with it and the course :)
 
Hey guys,

Considering you're in the people & portrait section, and talking about inspiration;

Why not check out the work of a few exceptional portraiture photographers?

David Bailey
Rankin
Martin Schoeller
Annie Leibovitz
Terry O'Neill
Terry Richardson
Vincent Peters
Uzo Oleh
Uli Weber
Mario Testino
Helmut Newton
Ellen Von Unwerth

Give them a google image search and see how you get on :)
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Hey guys,

Considering you're in the people & portrait section, and talking about inspiration;

Why not check out the work of a few exceptional portraiture photographers?

David Bailey
Rankin
Martin Schoeller
Annie Leibovitz
Terry O'Neill
Terry Richardson
Vincent Peters
Uzo Oleh
Uli Weber
Mario Testino
Helmut Newton
Ellen Von Unwerth

Give them a google image search and see how you get on :)
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You forgot Yousuf Karsh. Sacrilege :lol:
 
Joenail said:
You forgot Yousuf Karsh. Sacrilege :lol:
Click to expand...

Can I ask what you find inspirational about his work? I'd never heard of him so did a Google image search - his range and calibre of subject are certainly impressive, but I wouldn't say I found the photography 'inspirational'. I'm very much a beginner so is it something along the lines of nearly all good chefs being able to cook the classics perfectly - his photography being classic portraiture which any good photographer should be able to do? Or am I way off the mark?
 
TopBanana said:
Can I ask what you find inspirational about his work? I'd never heard of him so did a Google image search - his range and calibre of subject are certainly impressive, but I wouldn't say I found the photography 'inspirational'. I'm very much a beginner so is it something along the lines of nearly all good chefs being able to cook the classics perfectly - his photography being classic portraiture which any good photographer should be able to do? Or am I way off the mark?
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I suppose it's different for everyone. You might look at his work & see someone sitting in front of a camera & nothing else. I see (mostly) photographs (not images or shots) that put across a sense of the person/subject perfectly. The way nobody looks uncomfortable, but not too comfortable either. Natural.
There's a sense of relaxation in them as well, even the Churchill one!
If you google images his name, you see loads of portraits that are obviously very similar on the outside, but with him it seems to be less about the photograph & more about the person/subject.
'Look at me, I can take amazing pictures' (think Steve McCurry) vs 'Look at this fascinating character' (Karsh).

Most of modern portraiture I see kind of treats people like objects. Almost stock photography. Get the lighting, angle & composition right & forget about the subject.

He always knows what to do with peoples' hands as well, which is something I've always found tricky!

Any decent chef can cook the classics, but it takes a master to nail them.
 
TopBanana said:
Can I ask what you find inspirational about his work? I'd never heard of him so did a Google image search - his range and calibre of subject are certainly impressive, but I wouldn't say I found the photography 'inspirational'. I'm very much a beginner so is it something along the lines of nearly all good chefs being able to cook the classics perfectly - his photography being classic portraiture which any good photographer should be able to do? Or am I way off the mark?
Click to expand...

There's nothing unique, or technical about the lighting or composition, but!!, there's a very strong presence of atmosphere in the photographs, have a look on his website and read the stories on each shot, explaining how he got the photograph.

Anyone could set up 3 point lighting, use a dslr on continuous and machine gun 300 files to scroll through, I'm sure at least one would be usable. But that's modern day high street type portraiture, that's not high level portraiture, imagine blasting the Queen with 6 flash guns, 200 times and seeing what type of expression you get from someone like her. These guys want to work with professionals that get it right from the off, that coax that perfect expression (not "smiiiiile").

On face value, I totally get your point, but dig a little deeper into the artistry behind it, and consider the circumstances and how you'd fair shooting a prime minister or famous actor. I know I'd be ****ing myself....
 
Others have posted some great suggestions but I'm just going to suggest a few of my personal favourites →

Paolo Roversi
Jerry Uelsmann
Keith Carter
Tina Patni
Eugenio Recuenco
Tim Walker

May I suggest?
You mentioned not being able to stop & concentrate on your ideas, something that often helped me was a little notebook that I used to scribble notes in. By the end of college I had four full notebooks with ideas, inspirational notes & quotes, techniques I admired & snippets of advice. I still flick thru those notebooks occasionally when I'm feeling less motivated. Perhaps something similar could help develop your creative ideas? Just a suggestion! I think a photography course is an amazing idea, it'll certainly inspire & motivate you!
Best wishes.
 
Adding a couple more for people to check out, if they're into that sort of thing :)

Mert & Marcus
Steven Klein
 
Bit of an update, I started a photography course last week at a local college. It seems good so far got my second lesson tonight.
It covers most things and a few things I have knowledge of but its nice to go through it with someone and in more detail as well as practise and get feedback.

Will check out the photographers posted above for more inspiration.

Thanks
 
A photography course is probably the best thing ~ best wishes!
 
I know this sounds like a cheat, but just going through a few of the "popular" images on 500px normaly provides me with great motivation to grab my camera and head out.
 
Called finding inspiration. Everyone does it, dont worry.
 
danelliott said:
Called finding inspiration. Everyone does it, dont worry.
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Very true, there's a difference between inspiration and imitation, but learning by replicating shots from great photographers shouldn't be sniffed at, it's different if you publish it and it's a blatant copy but otherwise crack on IMHO it's a good way of learning
 
benny_j said:
I know this sounds like a cheat, but just going through a few of the "popular" images on 500px normaly provides me with great motivation to grab my camera and head out.
Click to expand...

Do this with Flickr all the time. There are so many 'undiscovered' {lack of a better word} talented photographers/creatives out there & these sites give such an amazing insight into new inspiring work & ideas.
 
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