Finding Creativity – I Need A Flow

DOUG GORDON

I ask myself a lot after finishing a wedding or portrait, 'How did I do that, was that me?' I try to write a lot about my thoughts and things that inspire me. How do I get to that creative place? It still escapes me fully, but the more I write about it, the closer I get

Next I think to myself, 'How can I get back to that creative, artistic space again?'
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As you already know, it feels so elusive sometimes. It is very easy to fall into the same old mundane routing. I try very hard to put myself in another world. I feel that when I am creating, I am in a trance. I would describe it as one mode of creative freedom.

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I find creativity because of the desire to know it, not by luck. Ok, maybe a little luck, I think, as an artist, one must constantly change or fall into trap of not caring anymore. So here are some of my reasons for better creativity and, more importantly, how to get there. Greater flow of creativity and productivity translates either directly or indirectly into greater income, especially if you’re a freelance or work for yourself. It’s also possible to lose the flow, if you don’t sustain the necessary creative environment. What’s necessary for achieving this state of mind? Mental stimuli and breaks from whatever you’re doing 'right now'. At least, that’s been my experience,

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How I get to that Place?

As you know I am very much about motivation and getting myself 'pumped up'. I look for music, sometimes music without lyrics, but more often music that has lyrics I can sing to. I DO sing! I sing and feel the mood of the singer, then make it my own. I let it fly. You should see me sing Lionel Richie. I can do it All Night Long. I look for ways to break rules and more importantly do things that nobody else would try. Oh! Those ridiculous rules that bind up everything, make the right lines, add only proper light, don’t tilt the camera, watch the horizon, etc. Those rules only cause me to create photos that are acceptable to traditionalists. In other words I am bored and going through the motions. I cannot be great, or special, or unique by following the rules. I need to go to another place. How do I get there? You must take the technical side out of the game and create with heart, create from emotion. Fill your photos with every emotion possible. Be it wedding art, portrait art – create a wedding fantasy as real as you decide it can be.

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The crucial ingredient is a constant stream of input. You have everything you need right on the web before your very eyes. My own experience is that when you 'feed your brain,' with stimuli (text, images, video, audio) from several niches, you cause the opportunity for ideas to intersect.

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Some Tips for Your Creative Flow

Those of you who’ve suffered creative blocks for long periods of time get into a cycle of the same old routing. But the solution might be a lot simpler than you think. Here are some suggestions for stimulating your creativity, regardless of what kind of creative work you do.

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Consume Knowledge. Whether it’s newspapers, magazines, books, websites, movies, whatever. The more mixed, the better.

Surf the web. Browse at least 50–100 web pages/articles in a short period of time, say 1–2 hours. You do not have to do this every day – just when you’re feeling your creativity and productivity turn to a trickle. Take photos of other poses or ideas with your phone so you can study them.

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Always keep your eyes open. Take in as much visual information as possible: images, video. I like to mix in browsing of fashion and wedding work.

Be passionate. Make sure that your consumption of information includes topics that you are passionate about. If you’re lacking this, no amount of input is going to help your creativity. Everyday Find a Way. Go for a walk and think of something unrelated to the type of creativity you’re trying to find. In other words take five minutes every day to think or do something you never have before.

In today’s marketplace, the time is now. Creativity is a must, change is a definite, most importantly, close your eyes and open your mind. Today, not tomorrow, not late; right now, go someplace you have never been and open your creative mind to what you can do there. Don’t go to the Ritz, go to the dirty, old, rustic building. What can you do? Show yourself. I hope you enjoy these photos from a recent wedding. I did it in the heart of the Long Island Vineyards. The caterer has never seen someone go to the dirty wine cellar. I knew it was the place for me. I hope you enjoy. Also I will be giving an all-day class at the Convention in which we tour London in the good old red bus. Don’t miss it. I promise it will be life-changing. Register now at www.swpp.co.uk. Seating is extremely limited.

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