I believe we all hate it when we get stuck in a creative rut. But hey, it happens, and there are ways to overcome it. One of the ways to get out of it is to try a different genre, and that’s exactly what Manny Ortiz did. The portrait photographer hit the streets and tried something new – street photography. It didn’t go quite as he expected, but he learned a lesson that will be valuable to all of you who are currently experiencing the creative block.
Manny took his Sony A7III and paired it with a 55mm f/1.8 lens. This kit is small and discreet, perfect for street photography, so he went out and started looking for some interesting people and scenes. As you can see, the photo walk didn’t go exactly as planned. He found that taking good street photos is not easy at all, even if you’re generally a good photographer. Street photographers need to change settings on the fly, find interesting compositions and act fast to capture them… And Manny struggled with it through his little experiment. But you must be wondering now: how did all this help him get out of a creative rut? And how could it help you? Well, trying out a completely different genre may not be as easy as you expect. You may not end up with photos you’re super-proud of. Still, it’s not about taking perfect photos. When you’re in a photography rut, it’s all about rewiring your brain to try something new and different. It’s about challenging yourself. Manny advises you not to have any expectations. Instead, just grab your gear, challenge yourself and enjoy the experience itself. It will make you learn new things, get out of your comfort zone, and it will ultimately inspire you and spark your creativity anew. [My first time doing STREET PHOTOGRAPHY (Not what I expected) | Manny Ortiz]
