Constraints Fuel Creativity
I love participating in photo competitions, but it’s not because I’m super competitive. For me, these competitions provide a clear purpose and set limits that spark my creativity.
When I have a blank canvas and no specific topic, I might take a lot of random photos, relying on luck to find something unique. As I shoot, I might settle on one idea and create a series of images around it. But during a photomarathon or when tackling a specific challenge, I have to brainstorm ideas, create a story, and plan my shots. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t, but the limitations help me focus on making the images I want instead of just snapping whatever I see.
This idea of constraints as a source of creativity explains why many photographers work in black and white, why some choose just one lens for the day, and why others join photomarathons with set themes and time limits. Creating a project can also be a self-imposed constraint that gives direction and purpose to your photography. There’s an excellent blog on this topic by the Australian photographer Adam Kenna.
My advice to anyone wanting to improve their photography is to look out for opportunities to take images with a deliberate purpose. Photo challenges, camera clubs, and on-line communities all provide these opportunities. For example, I’m part of a camera club in Abingdon, Oxon, where we have a three-round league for individual photos, two competitions with themed panels, and various topic challenges each season. I’ve also been active in the online project 52 Frames for years, submitting a new photo every week. And of course I enjoy Photomarathons, and have participated in events in Cardiff, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bristol, Newport, and Rhondda Cynon Taff. What ties these experiences together is the presence of constraints, which really boosts my creativity.
John Whittle - Chair Oxford Photomarathon
Useful Links
52 Frames: 52Frames.com
Stockholm Fotomaraton: stockholmfotomaraton.se
RCT Photomarathon: RCTPhotomarathon.com
Adam Kenna’s Blog: adamkenna.substack.com/p/constraint
Abingdon Camera Club: abingdoncameraclub.org