It’s a double challenge! <use your best double-rainbow impression while reading>

So a couple days ago I wrote, I can (and often do) snap photos of anything that catches my eye, but here is a little secret; lots of those initial snaps are simply not good. Well I thought of that today when I woke up early and decided I was going to challenge myself to go out today and capture a photo using just my phone. Put my money where my mouth is so to speak.

So after breakfast, my morning coffee and getting myself ready to tackle my day… I took a nap. Napped too long. Destroyed all my original plans. BUT THE CHALLENGE MUST GO ON! So we moved the challenge to work.

On break crushed out my first top down what’s in my pocket shot. Creative is an exercise. Got 15 minutes? What can you make?

Tis but a memory…

Oftentimes I find creativity is simply an attempt by the artist to bring to life what is in their brain. Angels, demons. Stories and Poems. Some unique thing unlike something the rest of us could ever had dreamed. Other times it’s an attempt to bring a memory to life. Maybe it’s a familiar picture everyone else has as well. Difference is this one is mine. I created it. It captured my memories, and I hope it brings good ones for you. Sparks something. A smile.

Does the potential for money impact creativity?

It has for me. Creative endeavors that start simply as an outlet often, and sometimes quickly morph into a 2nd source of income; or that’s the hope, right. I like doing this thing, it relaxes me, and now I can make extra money… or maybe it gets big enough I quit my job, do this full time and work for myself.

Even if just for a fleeting moment many of us have this thought. Well from the moment someone, with the intent of a compliment, told me my photos were good, good enough to sell, this thought train ran through my head.

That single complement changed the direction of my photography. Can I make it more marketable? Do I need a website? How many hashtags should I use? Also for good and bad it has changed what I take photos of. I shot more portraits, which I love. I take more “normal shots”, that while I enjoy them many times it doesn’t carry the same passion.

I like finding and capturing interesting compositions parts of a scene that catch my eye. I am not sure they will ever sell, but it is where I feel the most creative. It is what I enjoy the most. This is what I will do more of:

Where do I use The Creative?

Great question! For me it’s often at the desk. I can (and often do) snap photos of anything that catches my eye, but here is a little secret; lots of those initial snaps are simply not good.

So for me I often times have to apply my creativity behind the computer screen and not the camera lens. I am much better with layout and flow in post. I often times just get to excited when I have a camera in hand and I’m just taking pictures for me.

So this one was downtown where I live. A street I’ve been on many times, just caught it at the right time at an interesting angle. Added some contrast in the sky and cleaned up made the color match what was in my head to finish it off.