We know the feeling of being stuck in a rut. It fucking sucks.
To be honest, I would rather be dead than be stuck in a perpetual creative rut.
First of all, I think the purpose of being an artist and photographer is to CREATE. To make and build shit. To change the world. To transform physical and visual things. To harness some sort of control or order over reality.
Anyways, how do we focus on getting out of a creative rut, to actually create?
And to be clear to be a “creative” doesn’t mean having good ideas or design sense.
To be a creator is to CREATE!
Personal remedies
What has worked for me:
- Randomness: Look at random art that you might not like. Go to an exhibition, gallery, or book store. Browse, and peruse. Random sparks of inspiration will fly. I randomly went into a Bang and Olfusen store (high end speakers), and was inspired by the simple Bauhaus design, and marketing materials.
- Study philosophy: Some of my best ideas on photography and art have come from Seneca, Nietzche (read on the will to power, chapter on Art). Also check out the “8 bit philosophy” series on YouTube.
- Read poetry: Horace, Ovid, and Homer are my favorites. They paint a beautiful, epic visual image. Poetry often inspires me more than images. Find inspiration in words.
Creative ruts are good.
If you’re in a creative rut, you’re usually just bored.
Solution: avoid boredom.
In my photography, when I get bored with street photography I pick up personal photography. I start to shoot landscapes, like an inspiring recent trip to Sapa, Vietnam.
In Kyoto, I was super inspired by the minimalist Zen aesthetics (join my ZEN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE). I loved the slower pace of life, and ended up shooting mostly urban landscapes.
I don’t need to travel to find inspiration. Sometimes, I like to watch rap music videos. “Face off” by Future shows a dystopia world, akin to Clockwork Orange, where the divide between the rich and poor is insanely massive. I also love all of Kendrick Lamar’s music videos, for the music, and visual direction.
Why make photos?
Above all friend, ask yourself:
Why do I make photos?
From PHOTO JOURNAL: find more personal meaning in your photography.
For me, I make photos to feel a deeper connection with the human beings around me. If photography is alienating me from my fellow human beings, it is a waste of time.
This is why I love STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, it makes me more courageous to explore the world, society, and connect with (real) human beings.
Any kind of photography that brings me closer to humans is good to me.
But of course this will be different for you.
So why do you make photos? If you’re in a creative rut, why are you in a rut? Share your photographic life story and any issues you might have in ERIC KIM FORUM.
And to re-inspire yourself, buy HAPTIC TOOLS and join me for an ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE. Trust me, it will be epic.
BE STRONG,
ERIC