THOUGHTS ON HOW TO BEAT A WINTER CREATIVITY SLUMP
I am a Summer person. There is no doubt about it. I thrive in the warm sunshine and feel alive and motivated when the days stretch longer. That big ball of gas in the sky stimulates extraordinary chemical reactions and does wonders for my serotonin stores.
When it comes to Winter, my mood, energy levels and enthusiasm plummet faster than a Boeing 747 with quad engine failure.
Inevitably, the cooler months tend to see a decline in creative productivity in my house. Instead of spending time working through ideas, trying new techniques or planning out photo shoots, I’d rather spend my hours curled up under a blanket, just willing the seasons to change.
Over the years, I have come to recognize early on in the season when my mood is starting to drop, and have learned to adjust my attitude just enough to be able to make use of the winter days in a more productive way. After all, the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the south, is well and truly done and dusted by mid-June, marking the start of warmer days to come. So it’s only up from that point on!
Here are a few things that keep me going during the gloomiest of days:
Practice techniques indoors
When the weather isn't conducive to outdoor photography, set yourself up inside and practice something new. I’ll often bring out my lights over winter and experiment with various lighting techniques. In summer, I usually rely (some might say, lazily) on the abundance of natural light, so 'making use of hay when the sun don't shine' makes sense. If you don’t have ‘proper’ lighting to work with (such as strobe flashes or speed lights), you can still play with this idea using the artificial lighting around your home. Lamp light can make for some beautifully, moody light.
Here, I wanted to practice using artificial backlighting as its something I don’t always feel confident with. Setting up a fairly simple lighting setup indoors with a key light to the front-right, and a backlight to the left, I was able to create this image, which feels like we ventured outdoors, but in reality, I got to stay warm and cosy inside!
Another option I enjoy during the cooler months is shooting still life or floral photography. There are so many unusual blooms in winter that are often overlooked. Head to your local flower market and grab whatever catches your eye. Flowers provide endless opportunities for photo play.
MakE use of Winter Light
While there are plenty of days when we barely see a ray of sunshine through the blanket of thick clouds, when the winter sun does burst through, it can be truly glorious.
The sun naturally sits lower in the sky during the peak of winter, so when the rays punch through, they can be beautifully long and golden. This unique lighting creates dramatic shadows and highlights, adding depth and mood to your photos. A casual (but rugged-up) walk around 4 p.m. on a clear winter's day can yield stunning images for photographers of any skill level, or look for the beautiful shadows that are often cast indoors.
Also, pay attention to the weather forecast for frosty or foggy mornings, as they can be a treasure trove of inspiration for stunning photography.
Curl up with a great book
Winter is a great time to catch up on photography books. With the days being shorter and the evenings longer, it’s the perfect excuse to cozy up with a good read and dive into new techniques or fresh perspectives.
There’s something about the chill outside and the warmth inside that makes flipping through a photography book feel extra satisfying. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to spark some creative ideas while you're hibernating from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the year.
