Finding Inspiration

Recently a photographer friend of mine said she was feeling a creativity block and wondered if other artists had tricks to overcome this feeling and find inspiration.
I believe that those in the creative fields are the most susceptible to this feeling and it happens to all of us at one time or another. Some of the reason are stress that can happen in our personal lives, being overworked, not feeling well physically, trying to rebound from a failure and so many more.
I think the biggest help you can give yourself is to figure out the reason. There may not always be a solution to the underlying cause besides just patience. However, there are many things you can do to get your creative mojo back. Sometimes it helps to just take a step back and find some time for yourself. Many of us own or own businesses and as a result our lives revolve around them. This isn't always very healthy. Take a break and do something you enjoy and be with people that make you feel great (or just be alone, whichever makes you feel best).
Another thing you can do is to find things that inspire you. A few minutes on Pinterest or reading my favorite blogs help. But, don't overwhelm yourself. Pinterest can put me in a funk even if I wasn't in one to begin with. I start becoming filled with self doubt. I think of all the projects I want to do but don't have the time and look at pictures of homes that are cleaner and more beautifully decorated than mine will ever be. I have to remember that one person did not accomplish and post every thing I see on that site. We each have our individual talents and capacity for creating and doing things.
Another trick is to do something physical. I always get more inspiration going for a walk than I do flipping through magazines or looking at other obvious inspirational sources. I think our brains get stagnant when we sit in front of our computers expecting to be visually stimulated day in and day out. Get out and get your blood  moving through your body and see how much better it makes you feel.
The best advice I can give is to realize that this feeling won't last forever. We all feel a little uninspired and defeated from time to time, but before you know it you will be back on your feet with too many ideas to conquer in a single day.

A Look at Image Editing

I ran across this well written article today and thought I would share. 

Retouching... Much Ado About Nothing

The article isn't super recent, but it talks about an issue of Marie Claire magazine that advertised that the whole issue was done without using retouching. Obviously this excluded advertisements (which make up most of the content of fashion and beauty magazines). The author of the article talks about how the images employ tricks used at the time the photograph was taken, well chosen lenses, filters and posing tricks.  And yet the images lack punch. The author calls them banal and says she wouldn't buy a magazine with such images.

Image editing isn't new. This image was included in the article. It is a 1930's portrait of  the actress Joan Crawford taken by George Hurrell:

Source: http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2010/04/04/retouching-much-ado-about-nothing/

The medium and techniques were different, but editing images has always been around. I believe it began with the idealized and stylized images painted by the famous painters of the past before photography was even invented. It is here to stay as well. Adobe Photoshop is our current tool, but who is to say that will always be the case? 

How to Choose a Makeup Artist

Choosing the right makeup artist can really help your glamour photography shine. An experienced artist will know how to apply makeup for photography. They will also understand the difference between the intensity needed for natural and studio light. The right application will save you time and money on retouching.
There are many ways to find artists. The trick is to find one that is talented in the type of makeup application you need and compatible with your personality, your client's and the way you work.

Know what you want:
The first step in finding a good artist is to know what you want. What type of photography do you do? Editorial and fashion images can be very edgy and you will want an artist that keeps up to date on current fashions and trends. They will also need to be comfortable trying new things. If you do mainly beauty images you will want someone that specializes in flawless and polished makeup looks.
It will help if you know what you want and educate yourself about what type of looks you are interested in your artist creating.

Interview Artists: 
You will want to set up a time to interview and talk with each potential artist. Have a few questions ready to ask each one but also leave time to just chat. Explain what you are looking for and ask what experience they have in that type of makeup application. Take a look at their portfolio, but remember these are probably retouched. Ask about their kit and make sure they own professional grade cosmetics and enough products to accommodate all skin tones and types. Also ask about their availability and fees. You will want to know these things up front.

Do a trial run:
Schedule a practice shoot with any artists you are interested in and see how they work and how their makeup applications photograph. Sue Bryce said recently in a Creative Live workshop that she asks the artists that want to work for her to do makeup on her. She believes it is important to have an artist that has a soft calming touch and one that puts her clients at ease. You can tell these things easily if the artist is working on you. I think this is good advice, however I still recommend having them do makeup application on a model that you can photograph as well.

Remember the time you invest in finding the right artist for your work will pay off with better photographs and less retouching.