A Creative Push

For the past few years, Regina Boston and I have collaborated on a Project 52 where weekly we commit to capturing for a theme and then posting a diptych including one of each of our inspired images. Instead of unique weekly themes, this year we opted for a quarterly focus in order to further invest in the techniques. This quarter we chose “Intentional Camera Movement/Slow Shutter Speed.” While I had used this technique in the past (with some positive outcomes) this time around I struggled. I found myself frustrated that my results were not matching my vision. I could have said, “Ugh, this is too hard. These images are blah. I have nothing worth sharing.” Instead, I approached this challenge with resolve. I read and watched tutorials and sought artists who created moving images using ICM which prompted me to capture differently and shift my settings. Perhaps more importantly, I let go. I allowed myself to embrace the actual process of creating instead of fixating on the outcomes. This mind shift opened imaginative possibilities. Are all (or even some) of my results earth-shaking? Nope. Am I finding joy in the process? Yep. Perhaps that’s the point.

How have you pushed yourself creatively recently? Where are you finding joy in your artistic process? If you’re not, what one step can you take toward freedom?

I appreciate your feedback: Which, if any, of these speak to you?