Inspiration and Creativity

A week or so ago I had a post called Left Brain Right Brain. In that post I talked about how the brain has different functions for creative and analytical behavior. This post is going to go one step further down the creative avenue. Creativity is the result of the imagination of ideas either original or from someone else. An idea or thought in and of itself is not necessarily creative. It is what you do with that information that makes it a creative thought.

So where do these thoughts come from? Sometimes the just come out of the blue, other times they are an amalgamation of random thoughts floating around in our head. Either way, by amassing these thoughts is a common theme, we become creative. That works in art. In science that same statement might look like this. We theorize by structuring and examining prior proofs with ordered thought to produce a viable and cognitive result or solution.

Yuck! I like the artsy expression better. But really what are we talking about here? Where do those ideas come from that we become creative with. Short of pulling a rabbit out of our hat with every creative moment we have there is a more simple answer.

The word inspire came from a Latin usage of the words inspirare or to breath or blow into. Used in reference of a divine or supernatural being imparting a truth or idea to someone. Christians believe that God himself inspired the authors of the Holy Bible in its original text.

Today inspiration takes on new meanings. Some say it is different for everyone, others just say they know when they have been inspired. Effecting some form of cerebral/emotional feeling of fulfillment. This is where we have to narrow the inspirational topic. People can get, or be inspired for different purposes or by other people, "He inspired his class to..."

Let's focus (pardon the pun) on inspirational photography. We often see soemething that inspires a thought. We don't necessarily need to immediately act on that thought but it does end up as one of those random thoughts in our mind. I don't believe there is any one event that inspires our photographic moments. I do feel there is a common thread that inspires each person in any realm of creativity. 

Some samples of inspiration in photography may be appropriate at this point.

• Landscape - When you come upon a view of this earth that is so spectacular, you just have to stop, set up, and take way too many images of the same scene.
• Nature - Seeing an eagle in flight, a bear grabbing salmon, the stare of a lion. These majestic animals inspire the nature photographer to capture unbelievable images for the pleasure of the masses.
• Portrait - When the light is exactly right, not by the rules of lighting or posing, but when it is "right". That emotional moment when the photographer just knows this is a most excellent opportunity.
• Wedding - When a moment can not be recreated and all the aspects of the moment you are in are perfect to capture a perfect memory for the couple you are photographing. It is this expectation of these moments that inspires the wedding photographer.
  
• Fine Art - What is the difference between fine art and pornography. Some may say nothing while others say it is the motivation. While we do not explore the area of nude art, we understand the appreciation of the artist/photographer that is inspired by the curves of the human figure.
  
• Journalistic - Similar to the wedding photographer, it is the non-recurring moment that can inspire him or her to endure the hardship they so often encounter.
  
• Architecture - Here it is again about light and shape. Inspiration to one who is drawn to architecture can come from the realization of what man has assembled with concrete and iron. 
  

So what is it that inspires a photographer. If you look at the highlighted words above, there is one common thread that runs through all the types of photography listed. It is not a tangible thought or process that spurs that moment of inspiration but an essence beyond what we can comprehend. Something our creator has provided for our enjoyment.

My bottom line assessment on the inspirational photographic moment is when God presents himself to our eyes that others do not see. That moment when you know you must stop and capture the moment to share with others.

Hey, I have carried on long enough so its time to get out-a-here!

Cya... Doug