I recently listened to a podcast where a musician talked about how he sustains his creativity, and it turns out it was curiosity! Being curious can make you a better listener if you are interested in understanding a person or situation. It helps to be curious when problem-solving, particularly when other solutions haven't worked, but why is that important to creativity. I did some research and this is what I found:
"Since the mind is like a muscle that becomes stronger through continual exercise, the mental exercise caused by curiosity makes your mind stronger and stronger. It makes your mind observant of new ideas. When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas related to the subject. And it brings excitement into your life" - Anderson University. And according to an article in Greater Good Magazine, "For children and adults alike, curiosity has been linked with psychological, emotional, social, and even health benefits."
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | 1/80 | f2.8 | 640
I can see the benefits of curiosity for overall health and strengthening relationships, but I had not thought about it when it comes to my art, photography. It is true that I am motivated by exploration and discovery, but I hadn't put curiosity in that mix.
So how does one sustain curiosity? I read with interest these tips from Anderson University and have translated them to my photography:
"Keep an open mind: Be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn."
For me this means signing up for workshops that push my comfort zone, experimenting with different lenses to get a subject to work, and getting out of my routine to try something else. Also, when something doesn't work, go back, and try another approach.
Lensbaby Sweet 35 | 1/2500 | f2.8 | 100 with Omniuniversal Silver Swiss Cheese reflector
"Don't take things at face value."
I can get stuck in a routine, going to the same places to take photos, so it helps to deliberately pick a different place or look for what else is available around me. I can look at a field and see the general landscape, but by getting off the path, there are many interesting subjects to explore.
Lensbaby Sweet 35 |1/80 | f4 | 100 with 8 mm macro converter
"Ask questions"
It certainly makes sense when looking at problems or situations, but asking what, why, when, who, and how can be helpful in photography. Asking what story I am telling, why would anyone care, when is the best time to take this, who is this for, and how can I capture it more interestingly are some examples.
Lensbaby Sweet 35 | 1/80 | f2.8 | 250 with 8 mm macro converter and Omni Rainbow Film
"Don't label something as boring. When you label something boring, you close one more door of possibilities."
I have been guilty of calling my walks boring, so this one jumped out at me. Yes, it may be the same walking route, but there are daily changes - a flower that has bloomed, a toy left by a child at an unusual place, the clouds in the sky, people along my path, and of course, the light that changes every day and hour.
Lensbaby Edge 50 | 1/800 | f4 | 100
"See learning as something fun."
One of the most exciting things about being a photographer is that I am constantly learning with each image I take: why it does or doesn't work, what story I am telling, and, more deeply, what my photos are saying about me. Through my journey with toy photography, I have learned that my pictures show caring, inclusiveness, humor, and embrace playfulness in a way that I wouldn't have expressed verbally. Curiosity is definitely at the heart of my urge to explore and discover my inner and outer worlds through photography.
Lensbaby Soft Focus II | 1/400 | f4 | 100 with 8 mm macro converter and Omniuniversal Swiss Cheese reflector
"Creativity flows when curiosity is stoked." - Neil Blumenthal
Lensbaby Sweet 35 | 1/160 | f2.8 | 100 with 8 mm macro converter
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