Finding Photographic Inspiration
11 Ways to Climb Out of a Photography Rut

Looking for photographic inspiration? This article will give you some idea as to where to find it. Digital photography inspiration is all around you.

I woke up this morning to another gray English day feeling completely uninspired. Have you ever had one of those days? I'm sure you have. I'm doing the 365 Project on Flickr and I have to take at least one picture today, but so far I can't even think about getting my camera out.

When you feel completely uninspired what can you do to get your creative juices flowing again? Here are some things I do to regain my photographic inspiration.

1. Visit a Photo Sharing Site

Sites like Flickr can provide you with lots of inspiration. I like to look at the pictures in the Explore section for inspiration. There are so many talented photographers on the site. You're sure to see a picture that will give you your own idea about what to photograph. You can even try to replicate someone else image in your own surroundings as a challenge.

I also highly recommend joining a group on Flickr. The groups cover various styles of photography, editing applications, and equipment. Besides the pictures posted in these groups there are also discussion forums.

2. Visit a Photography Forum

Speaking of forums, photography forums can help provide you with inspiration. Often times forums have tutorials on them that will teach you how to take a picture that you might not have considered before.

4. Pick Up a Magazine

Magazines are full of photographic images that can inspire you. Just flip through the pages of any magazine looking for pictures you like.

5. Read a Photography Magazine

Photography magazines have lots of great pictures and tutorials to help you feel inspired.

6. Check Out Your Favorite Photographer

Whose photography do you like? Try looking at pictures by your favorite photographer or reading or listening to an interview with them. I really love Mary Ellen Mark's photography and like to look at her pictures online.

I also love street photography and look for street photography websites to get inspired.

7. Look at Your Best Pictures

Sometimes I like to look through some of the best pictures I've taken to help me feel inspired. Looking at my favorite pictures helps me feel better about my photography and gets me inspired to get out there and start taking pictures.

8. Listen to Your Favorite Music

Music is really inspiration to me. When I'm taking pictures I'm usually listening to music. I go through stages of finding different songs more inspiring than others. If you have a certain type of music you listen to when taking pictures try listen to that. If not just listen to any of your favorite music.

9. Chill

Relax a bit. This is good to do while listening to your favorite music. Just sit on the couch, close your eyes and wait for an idea to strike.

10. Get Out

Go out somewhere. Go to the zoo, a museum, a farmer's market, the mall, a crowded street, or any other place that will fill your senses. Take your camera with you with the idea in your head that you'll take at least one picture. Being out among people or out in nature will really inspire you.

11. Just Take Some Pictures

Just start taking pictures. You may seem uninspired at first, but inspiration will start to take over once you get going. The more pictures you take the more inspired you'll be.

If you liked these tips on how to find photographic inspiration check out our other digital photography tutorials.