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On Creativity and Inspiration |
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Written by Jim Hunter, Editor-in-Chief/Chief of Operations
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Tuesday, 04 April 2006 |
Does not the very word 'creative' mean to build, to initiate, to give out, to act - rather than to be acted upon, to be subjective? -Berenice Abbott
The other day while surfing the web I came across the web site of a stock photography production company. The site read in part:
"Utilizing highly creative art direction and the latest digital imaging technology, XXXX produces a distinctive photographic choice for clients licensing stock photography and commissioning creative imagery."
"Covering the full gamut of photographic styles and with diverse and unusual subject matter, XXXX stock material is available through an international network of licensing agents."
Now I've been around the block more than a few times and fully
understand advertising hype and wanting to put the best spin on things.
However, looking at the images on the site which, one would tend to
think would be what they consider the absolute best they have to offer,
I can't say that I saw anything that I would consider "highly
creative", "distinctive" or which covers the "full gamut of
photographic styles". In fact to my eye, there was nothing there that
couldn't be found at any number of online collections these days.
Maybe I'm too old school or out of touch or maybe just a dumb photographer who really doesn't get it but that's not really what this exercise is all about. Looking at the images that were offered got me thinking. Exactly what is creativity?
According to Wikipedia, Creativity (or creativeness) is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations between existing ideas or concepts. The products of creative thought (sometimes referred to as divergent thought) usually have both originality and appropriateness. Although intuitively a simple phenomenon, it is in fact quite complex.
Equally complex and just as mysterious is the inspiration that triggers the creativity in each of us. It has always amazed me how a photograph, a painting, a sentence in a book or magazine or an overheard fragment of conversation can suddenly produce a completely unrelated idea and the inspiration to create something completely distinct from the initial input.
From an early age, I was influenced by many of the masters of photography. Everyone, from Ansel Adams and Diane Arbus to Edward Weston and Minor White inspired me. Also, the photographs and photographers from the original Life and Look magazines initiated in me the desire to become a photographer.
Another source of inspiration for me has always been in quiet places and moments of solitude. It is at these times I am most able to think, to feel and to dream. To open myself to what ever my muse is trying to tell me.
Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: "Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? -Ansel Adams
I would also like to hear what others find creative and inspiring. We have created a new category in the StockPhotographer.info forums for Creativity and Inspiration. Tell us what you think.
© 2006 Jim Hunter, All Rights Reserved Bio Contact
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 17 September 2006 )
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