By: Nellie Hill, AAEA Member
“What should I do here? I’m all out of ideas”. Teaching beginner photographers, my students often ask for guidance during a shoot. Here’s a few tips I give them that might also help you with a quick reset when you need inspiration.
Google it. Hear me out, I’m not being (too) snarky. Several years ago, I attended a presentation by National Geographic photographer, Jim Richardson. When Jim gets an assignment, he explained, he Googles images of the location so he can see what has already been done. Jim then thinks through how he can get the classic shots, if needed, but also what is missing from the body of photographs for a person or place. Google your subject to inspire how you can push your own photos of it forward.
Revisit your bag of tricks. We know photography requires careful muscle memory that balances creativity with technical ability behind the camera. With all that goes into making an image, we might sometimes forget the full utility in our bag of tricks. If you get in rut, return to asking yourself about the basics – the rule of thirds; foreground, mid-ground, background; lighting; or unique angles. My person favorite trick is shooting through something towards your subject to frame it. What is in your bag of tricks?
Set a goal. My personal tendency is to get a wide view of a subject, taking in all the surroundings to set context. I noticed I was getting into a habit of forgetting the close-up, detail images. To combat this practice, I started intentionally setting goals for myself before the shoot or trip so I had something to check-off for myself throughout the day. Whether it’s a shot list, a mental note, or challenging yourself to shoot a new subject, setting a goal can create a greater sense of intent and accomplishment for any shoot.
Be spontaneous. Right now, the cacti are starting to bloom on the outskirts of White Sands National Park. I’m just an hour away, I and need to make a trip over to capture this annual event. Yet, it’s just too easy to sit at home. Whether it’s waking up early to catch the morning light, or chasing a thunderstorm to get the perfect cloud scene, be spontaneous and reap the rewards of capturing a unique moment. Email me if you need some accountability.
Nellie Hill is an assistant professor of agricultural communications at New Mexico State University.
In her camera bag: Fujifilm X-T2 and X-T4, 18-55mm, 10-24mm, 35mm, and 55-200mm.