Finding Creativity
Many of us labour under the belief that something isn’t worth creating unless it’s grand, iconic, spectacular, and, especially, if it will be award-winning or, at least, garner a lot of likes and faves on social media.
But creativity is never about the output, or the product. It’s about the process. The lived-in moment when you are honing your vision and putting all your creative thinking into bringing something into existence where before, there was a void.
I find that the search for creative expression can be soothing, therapeutic, even thrilling. For example, patchy backyard light can render things dramatic and beautiful. Creativity is a headspace, and the camera the means by which you can immerse yourself in that space.
Redefining Creativity
Creativity is deeply personal and inherently imperfect. It isn’t about achieving technical perfection or widespread recognition; it’s about letting yourself explore ideas without boundaries. We often let the fear of judgment paralyse our creativity. We hold back, convinced that our work must be exceptional to be meaningful. However, true creativity emerges when we grant ourselves permission to be flawed, experimental, and spontaneous.
If you want to be creative, you have to stop aiming for perfection.
Consider the everyday surroundings that we often overlook. A cracked window, a puddle in the bitumen, or the uneven shadows cast on an aging wall can be seen as mundane. Yet, through a creative lens, these overlooked details transform into something else. Photography, in particular, serves as a tool to see these moments in a wholly unique way.
The Therapeutic Pursuit
The act of creation itself can be a source of comfort. Whether it’s painting, writing, photographing, or crafting, the focus on shaping something from nothing can help settle cluttered thoughts. Creativity can be a sanctuary where self-expression flourishes without fear of critique.
It’s not about capturing the most technically perfect shot but rather about telling a story, expressing a mood, or just feeling the texture of a moment. When freed from the pressure of perfection, creativity becomes playful and liberating, and that sense of freedom can be very therapeutic!
Practicing Creative Thinking
Like any skill, creativity requires nurturing. Try small, intentional practices: take a short walk with your camera, focusing on capturing everyday beauty. Frame your shots not for perfection but for the feeling they evoke. Allow yourself to make mistakes — often, those unplanned elements bring a unique charm. Play around with light and shadow, use unconventional angles, or photograph familiar objects from unexpected perspectives.
Over time, these exercises train your mind to notice opportunities for creative expression, even in the most mundane settings. Creativity becomes less about a grand idea and more about developng a mindset that sees potential for a picture everywhere.
Letting Go of Outcomes
I can’t emphasis this enough: the most profound barrier to creativity is the expectation of results. We often measure our creative worth by the reception our work receives, whether from peers or online communities. This mindset not only stifles innovation but also erodes the joy of the creative process.
Instead of seeking perfection or validation, immerse yourself in the act of creation without anticipating how it will be received. Embrace the unpredictability and let your curiosity guide you. When the process becomes the reward, creativity becomes more accessible and enjoyable.
In the end, finding creativity is about embracing the experience itself, where the mundane becomes extraordinary, and the act of seeing, feeling, and experimenting leads to a deeper, more personal form of expression.
Give it a go. Be creative!
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