Harnessing your photographic passion

By Ilex

Passion refers to the thing that we enjoy most in the world. What do you enjoy most? The answer might not seem like a passion, but it can be developed into one.

The Chainless Links (2011)
This underwater picture was taken in a black-bottomed pool. Because it was a controlled environment, the model had time to work on the pose and to create an image that was graceful and fluid.
If you’re asked what your idea of a perfect day is, and you respond: ‘Going to see a film at the cinema,’ ask yourself why do you like cinema so much? Is it because you get lost in the world of the movie? Is it because you love watching the period style, plot, the wardrobe, set design, or the emotion portrayed on the faces of the actors?
Once you’ve identified what it is that attracts you so much, use it as a signpost to discover where your interests really lie. If it’s the expression of emotion that appeals to you, consider taking an acting or dance class to hone your expressiveness for use in self-portraiture and model direction. If it’s set design or period style, you could try your hand at making costumes. Or you could try something totally different and make a short film to see where that leads you.
Taking a hands-on, active approach to whatever you identified as your greatest interest could turn it into your passion.
The Tide that Takes Us (2012)
Part of surrealism is about creating a reality that is unlike our own in some way. In this image, a ship floats in the sky, carrying the subject to safety from the ocean.
When it comes to photography, try asking yourself, ‘If I could photograph anything, what would it be?’ Don’t limit yourself to what you know you can access or the costumes that are ready to shoot. Don’t give a thought to the budget, either temporal or financial. Answer the question honestly. The answer will be the one that not only gets you excited to shoot, but also provides endless inspiration to fuel your passion.
For anyone whose passion is narrative in photography, you might face obstacles to constructing your dream shoot, but do not allow them to stop you. While you might not be able to logistically shoot what inspires you, it can be used as inspiration for other projects.
Looking for Air (2012)
Once upon a time, Brooke Shaden once answered the question of ‘What do you want to shoot?’ with ‘I want to shoot a shipwreck on the bottom of the ocean.’ At the time, she didn’t have access to a shipwreck and she was wary of the sea. However, that initial idea sparked many more. She began shooting underwater, which took her a step closer to the shipwreck. She found a toy boat that could be used as a prop. One step led to another and one passionate interest in underwater photography inspired many more images.
By establishing the building blocks of your big idea, it will grow to seem more achievable than it does at first. If you have something to strive for, and are focused on it, you will push yourself to try new things and grow as an artist.
Inspiration is not a far-flung concept, out of reach to all but a few great artists, and nor is it a matter of chance; as a photographer it’s possible to train your mind to see the creative possibilities in any situation. Featuring the pioneering work of author Brooke Shaden and a selection of carefully chosen contributing photographers, Inspiration in Photography book provides the perfect balance of insight and instruction to help you find inspiration whenever you need it and capitalise on it every time.