The photography industry is constantly evolving, thanks to new technologies, trends, and demands. As a photography student, you need to be aware of these changes and adapt accordingly. In this article, we will explore some ways you can develop your creativity and innovation skills to succeed in the competitive and dynamic field of photography.
One way to enhance your creativity and innovation is to learn from a variety of sources, not just your formal education. You can find inspiration and new perspectives from online courses, podcasts, blogs, magazines, books, and social media. You can also network with other photographers, both online and offline, and exchange ideas, feedback, and opportunities. By exposing yourself to different styles, genres, and techniques, you can broaden your horizons and discover new possibilities for your own work.
I have said this a thousand times, and I will say it a thousand times more: photography degrees are not serious qualifications, and I strongly recommend that beginners should avoid formal study altogether. The world's greatest photographers never studied photography, and we shouldn't either. The better way to learn photography is to spend your time and money on exploration, travel, practice, and expanding your knowledge. The cinematographer, Roger Deakins, said, "I genuinely feel that cinematography, like photography in general, is not something that can be learned but, pretentious as it may sound, can only be discovered."
Visionary Artist/Owner of Diamond-Point Needle Vessel-Ship Industries Inc.
I totally get that. True creativity and imagination should be raw and organic with a substance material that allows for spontaneity. I never once considered myself a professional photographer. I am self-taught veering my focus towards artistic presentations and my photography has since evolved to include photo-journals for each chapter of my recent books "The Evolution of Spiritual Consciousness" and "Crown of Life" further evolving into a "Live Performance" script. It applies to music as well- I am self-taught, but my ear was trained to be attuned with 7 years of violin. I do not read sheet music; I play by ear and feel it. In many instances my eyes are closed not watching what I am doing. It is also spontaneous.
Another way to boost your creativity and innovation is to experiment with new tools and technologies that can enhance your photography. For example, you can try using drones, 360 cameras, VR headsets, or artificial intelligence to create unique and immersive images. You can also use software and apps to edit, manipulate, and transform your photos in innovative ways. By exploring the potential of these tools, you can challenge yourself to create something original and distinctive that stands out from the crowd.
A third way to improve your creativity and innovation is to develop a personal brand that reflects your vision, values, and style. Your personal brand is how you present yourself and your work to the world, and it can help you attract and retain clients, collaborators, and fans. To create a strong personal brand, you need to define your niche, your target audience, your unique selling proposition, and your visual identity. You also need to create a portfolio, a website, and a social media presence that showcase your best work and tell your story.
Adapting to the changing landscape as a photography student requires flexibility, resilience, & proactive approach to learning & career development. Some strategies to help photography student adapt: Keep up to date with the latest trends, technologies, & development in photography industry. Expand your skills set beyond traditional photography techniques. Embrace new technologies & tools that enhance photography practice. Pay attention to market demand & evolve client preferences. Establish strong online presence via professional websites. Develop business skills & practices. Seek mentorship & guidance from experienced photographers. Maintain creative mind set & experiment new ideas. Stay connected, persistent, & resilience.
A fourth way to enhance your creativity and innovation is to seek feedback and improvement from various sources. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn from your mistakes, and discover new opportunities for growth. You can ask for feedback from your instructors, peers, clients, or online communities, and use it to improve your skills, techniques, and products. You can also seek feedback from yourself, by reflecting on your goals, progress, and challenges, and setting new action plans.
A fifth way to boost your creativity and innovation is to embrace change and uncertainty as part of the photography industry. Change and uncertainty can be scary, but they can also be exciting and rewarding. They can force you to adapt, learn, and innovate, and they can open up new doors and possibilities. Instead of resisting or fearing change and uncertainty, you can welcome them as opportunities to grow and thrive. You can also prepare yourself for change and uncertainty by staying updated on the latest trends, developments, and demands in the photography market, and by being flexible and resilient.
A sixth way to improve your creativity and innovation is to pursue your passion and purpose as a photographer. Passion and purpose are what drive you to create, express, and share your work with the world. They are what motivate you to overcome obstacles, challenges, and setbacks. They are what make you happy and fulfilled as a photographer. To pursue your passion and purpose, you need to find what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. You also need to align your passion and purpose with your personal brand, your goals, and your actions.
A good photographer needs to be a decent videographer too. The equipment used is capable to meet this skill set and the value addition to clients seeking digital photography skills is immense.