So how often do you find yourself in a photographic rut? Like doing the same thing over and over again! Like sunrises day after day. Or sunsets day after day chasing Instagram or Facebook likes and shares like they were candy on Easter morning.
I have been one of those photographers that does not do that. Photography is not about making images of the pretty postcard scene everyday just to get those shares and likes on social media. Plenty of people do it but does it make them better as a photographer I would say it does not.
I like to walk around looking for interesting every day things shown in a different light. Today was one of those days as the light was peaking out from behind the clouds. I found a scene I and many others have shot more than a few times. But today I chose to use a long lens and shoot against the light.
When you find yourself with photographers block – change it up! With today’s new lens designs everyone has a good short or long zoom and that’s all they walk out the door with. If that is all you have, find a focal length you never use and tape the lens in that position. Shooting with a focal length you never use will help you gain valuable insight into making great photographs. Then experiment with different f-stops. Very few photographers I know and teach like to shoot wide open. It’s an eye opening experience give it a shot.
The image above was shot at 55mm (85mm in 35mm terms) I almost never use this focal length. So I forced myself to shoot at this focal length. I can’t stress enough how important it is to make yourself move around instead of standing in one place with the zoom lens. Using a fixed focal length lens is a great way to do this. I’m not in a rut at the moment but it does happen and this is how I break out of it.