At one point or another, creative frustration hits a photographer. Whether it’s due to boredom, a lack of motivation, or a desire for something new and different, the photographer is at an impasse, unable to pick up a camera and find that passion that typically drives that person day to day. It may seem difficult to get unstuck from the “photographer’s block” rut; however, there are some simple steps the photographer may take to get the creativity flowing once more.

The first step is to get up and get out. There is no need to drive somewhere. Just set aside 15 minutes, leave the computer screen, grab the camera, and walk outside. Set up a challenge. Take only five pictures and take them within half a mile. Make each picture unique, and test the different settings on the camera. Play with shutter speed, aperture, focus, etc. Do not establish any preconceived ideas of what pictures to take or how to take them; just photograph at will. Once the oxygen is flowing through the blood, and the analytical aspect of the brain relaxes, the creative part wakes up and gets to work.

Next, create an idea portfolio. Store interesting, artistic, unique pictures in a folder, or paste them in a notebook. Save inspiring articles and store those as well. Write down ideas for future pictures or future goals, and, if inclined, even draw or paint ideas and see if the effect can be executed with the camera. A portfolio not only has the ability to help a photographer remember old ideas or think of new ones, but it has the ability to help a photographer stay contemporary in style.

Another idea is to try something new. Shoot from a new perspective. Get down on the ground and aim the lens up, or go to a window, or balcony, and aim the lens down. Pick an entirely new and different subject, or photograph at a different time of the day. If the funds (and excuses) are available, buy a new piece of equipment. Rarely do photographers not get excited about shooting when there is something new to play with and get to know.

Lastly, be patient. Sometimes it is okay to go a while without picking up the camera. Use this time to review old photographs. Revisit them in Photoshop, or other photo editing software. Play with color versus no color, saturation, contrast, artistic effects, etc. Read a book or manual on photography. Return to the camera’s manual and check out all of the different settings to see if there are any not being utilized. Or give the brain a break from photography and do, read, or learn about something completely unrelated to cameras and taking pictures. In the end, there may be some new subjects to shoot.

Have no desire to pick up the camera can be frustrating. However, there are steps the photographer may take to get back into taking pictures. Sometimes the solution is as simple as just shooting anyway, and other times it takes a bit more work and mixing up the routine to get creativity back again. Whatever the reason for getting stuck, for most photographers the problem is only temporary (and typically fairly short-lived), and they are able to come out of it with a renewed passion for the hobby, and perhaps with a few new skills to hone down.

The Nature of Photography is a column on the Corner Blog written by Nicole Heaton (aka CornerflakeGirl).