Feb 21 2012

Do you ever wonder how much your environment affects your creativity and inspiration?

Do you ever wonder how much your environment affects your creativity and inspiration? My parents live in one of the cutest little towns in England. Their house is in the middle of the countryside, overlooking field upon field, and I love it there. It’s so calm and peaceful, and there’s barely anyone around. It’s wonderful to grab my tripod, camera and take off into the wilderness to attempt self portraits like these:

When I’m there, all alone in fields upon fields of greenery, chirping birds, and random wildlife, it’s like I’m flying high on inspiration every. day. There is something so invigorating and refreshing about it.

And now here I am, in the middle of the city, lacking any sign of the inspiration that previously flooded my soul. It’s just gone. And I sit here and blame it on the concrete, on the tall buildings and on the lack of green. Because obviously your surroundings affect your inspiration levels, right? So it’s a totally valid excuse.

Wrong.

I have not once grabbed my tripod, remote and camera and gone for a “therapeutic self portrait session” in the city. Not once. What’s holding me back? Fear. What if people look at me weird? What if someone I know walks by? What if I drop my gear on the concrete? What if? What if? What if? The “what ifs” are pretty pathetic. It’s embarrassig even admitting that these lame things are what have been holding me back. But you get into your comfort zone, don’t you? Of the countryside. Of the total lack of people. Of the rolling hills and chirping birds. And it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone. So hard.

So how can I blame my lack of inspiration on my city surroundings when I haven’t even really tried?

So here’s my challenge – For you. For me. For us. :

1) Find inspiration! Research other self portrait photographers who live in the city. Convince yourself that since it’s been done before, you can definitely pull it off, too!

2) Remind yourself that caring what other people think is a total waste of time. Self portraits are fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.

3) Embrace stepping out of your comfort zone. Know that will only make you stronger.

4) GRAB YOUR GEAR AND DO IT! No more excuses, my friend! Just. Do. It.

Are you in? :)

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Posted in Personal

11 comments

Mrs TeePot - March 16, 2012 - 8:21 PM

I need to do this! *shakes self*

Laurenbythesea - February 24, 2012 - 6:36 PM

Alex, i heart you :) IN <3

AKP Photography - February 22, 2012 - 11:43 PM

Youre self-portraits are amazing, i love the composition, colors and you look beautiful :D

Callie Lee - February 22, 2012 - 9:33 PM

Love this advice Alex!

Cat Lane - February 22, 2012 - 9:21 AM

Oh man, THIS. 6 months ago I moved from a tiny village a 5 minute walk away from the woods to the middle of a town, and even though luckily I can still find fields if I want to, the parks are gorgeous and I’m terrified to shoot in them for fear of people staring or thinking I’m a bit odd! These last two weeks I’ve committed myself to stepping out of my comfort zone with self portraiture, so I’m most definitely IN in continuing that :D

Zee - February 22, 2012 - 7:51 AM

Thanx Alex, I’m always scared people would think I’m a little vain if I took too many self portraits… Total waste of time, lol. Your work is wonderful and I’m totally inspired again!

Nicole Coombs - February 22, 2012 - 1:17 AM

Thanks For the Inspiration I have been wanting to do some self portraits but always find an excuse not to!!! Thanks!! xoxox

audrey - February 22, 2012 - 12:46 AM

im in.

sara Beadon - February 21, 2012 - 11:20 PM

you could use the straight lines of the buildings and the reflective images created by the glass of the buildings to do something creative. Work with what you have, after all a good picture isn’t created because you have a good camera or the setting, it’s YOU!!!

Ali - February 21, 2012 - 11:10 PM

Great post, Alex! My parents live in a smaller town but they still live in a full neighborhood, so sometimes it’s awkward going out there and shooting on the streets. I often park along a country road and shoot by fields too. Not long ago an owner of one of the farms stopped and just stared. I was rather embarrassed and didn’t know what to do because I was almost finished shooting and getting the perfect shot. I stopped what I was doing and slowly walked closer to their car and they eventually rolled down their window just waiting for me to say what I was doing. I said something like “hi there.. I’m just taking some photos for school!” They were like “well this is our farm so we just wanted to see what was going on.” I was sort of angry at this moment because it was clear what I was doing and they sort of embarrassed me so that didn’t help my emotion of anger. I admit I got a tab bit snooty and said “well thank you for letting me use your farm, I’m almost done!” I regret it and should have said something more like “Is it okay if we finish up a couple shots and then we will be on our way. If I knew who the land belonged to exactly, I would have came to the house and asked first.” But I thought.. what’s the big deal!? I’m just a young girl with a tripod and camera and we weren’t even standing in the actual field. Oh well.. things like that will probably happen in the city. There will be private properties and buildings you shouldn’t go in and stores you can’t resist shooting in. But I guess you should just take the chance and the worst that could happen is someone telling you you’re not allowed, or someone looking at you as they walk by. It helps me if I bring a friend along.. It gives me more confidence and then eventually I feel more comfortable going to those awkward places alone. Good luck!! :)

Rocio D'Oleo - February 21, 2012 - 11:06 PM

Im so in!

Alex Beadon Photography » Photography. Inspiration. Beauty.

Do you ever wonder how much your environment affects your creativity and inspiration?

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