All of us want our photography to increase in creativity. There is no definitive way to become more creative, but, there are methods that will help inspire us to go to new heights. Themes is one of them. So why not give it a try and see what happens.
To me shooting a theme is one of the most exciting and fulfilling parts of photography. Why? I don't really know. Maybe when you try it you can let me know. I do suspect though that it has something to do with telling a story. We all love stories. Some of the greatest photographers told stories in pictures. Photo journalism is like this. Photo journalists try to tell their readers a story using their pictures. Of course they have the advantage of adding text, but they should really be self-explanatory.
So what's a theme? I can tell you what it is, but what it contains is up to you. Here's the dictionary definition:
1. a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic.
2. a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.
3. a short, informal essay, esp. a school composition.
So you now know what a theme is. Here are a few ideas for themes that you may want to try in order to add more creativity to your photography.
1. Colour is one of the most exciting themes to use
The reason for this is that it has a way of jumping out of the image. Well saturated bright colours speak for themselves, and we naturally gravitate to colourful things. If you're a parent, try to remember what your small children's favourite objects were. Most often it was something bright and colourful. What this is also going to do for you is to learn colour combinations that work.
2. One of the most common themes is subjects.
Shooting images of cars, boats or animals. For example, my wife's favourites are doors and windows. When we were in London I wanted to take shots of bright red subjects, but she wanted doors and windows. So choose something that really interests you and go and out and shoot till the light fades completely.
3. Another theme is pattern, shape and texture.
Sometimes we have to look beyond colour and subject and step down a level to the pattern and texture. Learning to see detail will help take your photography to a new level. It's not that the opportunity is not there, it's that you aren't aware of it. Try this. Look at something you want to shoot then close your eyes and feel it. It's texture, it's shape and it's pattern. Then shoot it and see if you can communicate that feeling.
4. Signs and symbols
This idea is one of my youngest daughter's favourites.. She has a way of taking great images of an ordinary stop or warning road sign. Picture a red and white danger sign framed by a background of blue sky. I can assure you it makes a great image. You don't need to go to a game park or into the countryside to get good images. Urban photography has produced some wonderful photos of objects that you would never have thought possible.
So shooting themes adds some spice to your photography. It gives you a platform from which you can reach new levels in your creativity. It motivates, inspires and encourages you to try new things and reach a point where you are never short of new ideas. Photography should be fun and shooting themes adds an element of fun that is exciting. Don't ever be afraid to experiment. Happy shooting!
No comments:
Post a Comment