6 Ways to Boost Creativity and Avoid a Rut

This time of year is tough for me. Outdoors it's still wintering with bitter chilly winds that I'm tired of enduring. Indoors, the light is getting more plentiful, but it isn't quite as cheery and bright as I'd like. Predictably, I find myself falling into a bit of a rut this time of year. So I thought I'd brainstorm some ways for me and maybe you too, to feel less rut-like and more inspired to photograph all the beautiful everyday moments. 

1. Just have fun

Rut equals blah. I find that sometimes I need to do the opposite of what I'm feeling to force myself out of a mood. Kick that negative self-fulfilling prophecy in the behind and jump into a more positive frame of mind. For me, the opposite of blah is energy. My children, even though they are getting older, still love to be silly. So let's bring on the silliness and laughter. Activities like jumping on the bed or couch, building a fort out of pillows, or even a trip to the park are bound to spark energy and fun moments that are worth photographing. These moments will bring a smile to your face too, and I bet, leave you feeling inspired and creative.

^{ISO 320, 35mm, f3.5, 1/1250SS}

2. Shoot from a unique perspective

Try photographing your everyday moments from a perspective that you don't usually gravitate towards. Shoot up at your subject or try photographing your subject from an elevated position. Try framing your subject through a doorway or another object. Think about ways in which you can step away from your natural choice in composition and mix things up a bit. Perspective changes are a great way to add variety to your images but can also spark creativity and push you out of feeling like you're in a rut.  

^{ISO 400, 35mm, f3.5, 1/250} 

3. Shoot through something

Shooting through objects is one of my favourite creative techniques in general, but it's also one of my favourite ways to break myself out of a rut. Grab anything! Slime, bubble wrap, lace, glass, dryer sheets, or crystals. It's amazing what fun and beauty you can create when you give yourself the freedom to experiment.

^{ISO 1000, 35mm, f2.2, 1/200SS}

4. Creatively edit 

Every once in awhile, I like to brainstorm an image and then create it. I have a little notebook that I like to keep track of images or ideas that I see that have inspired me. I use the notes in that notebook to inspire me in my creative work. Other times an idea pops into my mind, and I go about creating. Sometimes permitting yourself to create anything is very freeing. Even if the image doesn't turn out exactly as you imagined, I bet the result will leave you feeling inspired to continue to create. 

^{ISO 1000, 35mm, f2.8, 1/250SS}

5. Try a fun crop

Experimenting with crops can be fun. You can focus on details or use a crop in a fun way. There are so many possibilities here, so think outside of your usual when it comes to cropping! 

^{ISO 1000, 35mm, f2.2, 1/400SS} 

6. Go back through your old images

Taking a trip through my photo catalogue is one of my favourite things to do to get me out of a photography rut. I find old images can inspire me to capture a similar image with a new take on the old. This practice can also help you see how far you've come as a photographer. That feeling of accomplishment is bound to help move you out of a rut! 

^{ISO 200, 105mm, f3.2, 1/800SS}

Whether you feel like you might be in a rut or need a little boost in creativity, I hope you'll explore some of these techniques as you go about photographing your everyday moments!