What is the most difficult thing we face in our photography? The will to photograph.
Some thoughts:
What is photographic will-power?
What is willpower? It is a physiological over-whelming of wellness, strength, and well-being. Then what do we do with this uber-health and sense of uber-vitality? We direct it into our artistic creations; for us, this is our photography.
What is the will to photograph?
The will to photograph is this:
We have an insanely epic lust and gusto for making images — to experience new things, to witness new things, analyze new things, and to compose, frame, and capture them.
It is not enough for us as photographer-artists to simply capture images; it is our imperative to re-transfigure and re-mould reality.
So how do we increase our photographic willpower?
Some thoughts:
1. Focus on your physiology
First of all, we need to focus on our physiology– that is, our bodily health and strength. In my eyes it is imperative that we sleep great; 8-12 hours. In my opinion, to force yourself to sleep early (and turn of all devices in the evening) takes more discipline than forcing yourself to wake up early. Personally speaking, I don’t look at any devices or screens after dinner-time, even though I am quite awake. I also make a personal rule to never have my phone in my bedroom. This helps me sleep earlier, and thus when I wake up I have more vigor and strength to pursue creative things like photograph, go on little adventures, and process and review/edit my photos.
2. Blank slate
Blank slate creativity that is:
Shoot like you shot for the first time.
No notions of good or bad, no notions of ‘cliche’ or not. Shoot like a child. See the world with eyes pure, and half of the reason why you shoot is this:
You shoot because you’re curious how the scene will render as a photograph.
3. External and internal motivation
External motivation is good from studying the masters of photography and studying cinema and other great forms of art [learn from the masters of art].
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And ultimately, your motivation must be internal. Your hunger and desire to create art; our philosophical will to existence.
4. Invest in experiences
Investing in experiences– workshops (online or in-person) or in road trips, or flights to places local or international. For us Americans, it seems Mexico City is an ideal street photography getaway location.
Even something as simple as going out to eat, or going to a coffee shop. Embodied reality is the only place to find motivation to make photos.
5. Ask ‘why’ you photograph?
Ask the ‘Why app?‘ why you photograph? If you know why you photograph, to find the willpower to photograph is easy.
6. Empower other photographers
Give feedback to other photographers (arsbeta.com) as a great way to exercise your feedback skills, which will motivate your photographic will to shoot.
7. Just shoot it; discover the motivation later
And when in doubt, JUST SHOOT IT!
ERIC KIM
Motivational tools
From HAPTIC: