ROADBLOCKS
CREATIVITY BLOCKS
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FOCUSING ON THE VISUAL -- Photography is a visual art, but the best pictures
have emotional impact as well as visual appeal. Look in the viewfinder and
see how the colors, lighting, patterns and forms effect the emotions.
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POINT AND SHOOT -- Photography looks easy, but if you think you just need
to push the button you're wrong. The work, the creative thought, must precede
pushing the shutter button. Skipping this process leads to dull shots.
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LABELING/CATEGORIZING -- Once we identify and categorize an object, we usually
stop looking and thinking about it. We must look past the labels and notice
the intricate details which are encompassed in the object.
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SPECIALIZATION -- Even if you specialize, shoot anything and everything.
This is the way to learn to think creatively. You'll learn what can be done,
what procedures lead to what results, and how to make the most of a
subject.
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THE BEST EQUIPMENT -- Equipment companies encourage us to believe that better
equipment will automatically give us better results. But creativity does
not lie in the tools themselves, but rather in the person using them.
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ALL THINGS TECHNICAL -- Technical knowledge can open new doors, but technique
is not creativity. All the technical know-how in the world cannot correct
a poorly thought-out and composed picture.
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RELYING ON GADGETS -- By over-using gadgets to get unique pictures, you overlook
the source of creativity -- YOU. It is your imagination applied to the situation
with your equipment that produces outstanding results.
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THE RIGHT MOOD -- Many believe that you must feel inspired to take great
pictures. The best way to put yourself in the right mood is to pick
up your camera and start shooting. As you work, you will create the right
mood.
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RELYING ON RULES -- Creativity depends on the unique approach, therefore
strictly playing by the rules hampers creativity. You won't experiment if
you stick to the rules. For creativity, try things you aren't sure will
work.
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ONLY ONE GREAT SHOT -- There are an infinite number of ways to perform any
task. If you assume that there is only one "best" shot you won't
experiment. Seek out new ways to photograph old subjects, then seek
out newer ways.
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EXPECTING PERFECTION -- Techniques are never mastered overnight; it takes
a lot of time and, even more, patience. Don't let an overzealous ego expect
too much too soon. Don't get discouraged, rather, learn from your mistakes.
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MISSING THE OBVIOUS -- Beauty can be found everywhere; but you must look
for it in order to find it. If you only look for the "big picture" or the
rare event, you will overlook the beauty to be found in the little things.
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NO BELIEF IN YOURSELF -- We tend to think that talent is rare, and we seldom
see ourselves as creative. But creativity is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration.
Act as you assume creative people do, and creativity will increase.
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RIGID PERSPECTIVE -- Break out from the rigid, everyday ways of seeing things.
Discover the intricate beauty in so many common things by manipulating,
experimenting, and examining them from new perspectives.
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COPYRIGHT @ 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 by Joe McGloin. All Rights Reserved.