Sometimes "What" is More Important Than "How"

Sometimes the best answer to a question is another question. And nothing illustrates this point better than when a photographer is confronted with the question of "what should I photograph?" So if you are stuck in a creative rut and seem unable to find interesting things to photograph, try asking yourself the following 5 questions. The answers may be all you need to point you in the right direction!

1. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? This seems like an obvious place to start, but it not uncommon to hear about photo enthusiasts who never get around to photographing their leisure activities, hobbies or other interests. I know a photographer who is into skydiving with no photos of anyone actually jumping out of planes or floating above the landscape!  Personally, I've found that the greatest enjoyment I get from photography is when I combine it with two of my other main interests: dogs and travel. In fact, I've traveled so much and photographed so many dogs, that I published a book about it!

2. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? Many of us are so busy at work that we never take the time to consider our workplace from a different point of view. But using a camera can be a wonderful way to  see beyond the day to day grind of our jobs. Check out these images by Flickr members posting shots of their workplaces and these stunning images of workers by PrairieView diploma grad Matt Sawatsky.

3. WHAT IS YOUR COMMUNITY? The groups you interact with such as clubs, associations, movements or cultural and ethnic groups can all be good starting points for a photo project. Your camera can help you record your own unique view from the inside and tell the group's story to the outside word. PrairieView graduate Nilufer Rahman took this approach and along with her sister Saira made a feature documentary film about the voyage of a mosque that was built in Winnipeg and shipped by road and river to the small arctic town of Inuvik.

4. WHAT'S ON YOUR iPOD/TV/BOOKSHELF/WALL? The photos you hang on your walls, the books you read, the music you listen to and the shows you watch can all be great sources of inspiration. The subject matter they cover, the insights they offer, even the people who created them can all be the subjects of photo projects. Photographer Tim Mantoani created an archive that not only features iconic photographs, but also the photographers behind them.

5. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY/SAD, ANGRY/GLAD? We've all got 'issues'. There are things in life that make us happy or sad, angry or glad. And chances are, one of your 'issues' harbours a great subject for a photo project. Angry about recent political events? Happy about something new in your community? Concerned about today's youth? Why not follow PrairieView grad Ryan Bergan's lead - volunteer for a local organization and take a camera with you. You may get some great images like these.