In an effort to get organized, and to save some time after I wasted hours trying to locate a file, I started the tedious task of keywording all of my recent images.  I know,  I know, I should have done it from the start.  But I didn’t.  I know better now.  The little time it will take me to keyword upon import, will save me hours in the end.  That said, it led me to go through all my archived files, falling in love  with some photos I had looked upon or wanting to re-edit some to change the mood.  I also found all my experimentation of the last year.  There is plenty!  I did play a lot this last year, and I had fun!

Whether you play with your compositions,  your camera settings or your software, you’re bound to get some nice surprises in the end.  You’re also going to ignite that creative spark, that elusive light that seems to dim now and then.  I know I need to play in order to remain creative.  Doing the same things over and over again does not work for me, I get bored way too easily.  I guess that’s why I fall in a creative slump on a regular cycle.

Playing keeps me on edge, and I learn tons of stuff too.  The creative possibilities are endless today, why not use them?  Even if you’ve been taking or editing photos for years now, you’ll still learn new things.  That knowledge will allow you to push your creativity up a notch, if not in the long run, at least enough to get that spark back.  And that’s enough for me.  I hate the feeling of wanting to create something, having that clear image in my head and not being able to pull it through.  Isn’t it frustrating?  I get so excited when I manage to make it, even though it took time and effort, it’s so worth it in the end.

So, here’s a showcase of my efforts to try and learn new things.  No perfection here, just trial, error and instinct.

Ghost effect created in PS.  From three different images, shot with that purpose in mind.

 Blur effect created in camera.  Set the speed to 1/13 and moved the camera vertically to create a blur that would make the trees look painted.

Stepping on thorns…  Used the Liquify Filter and it’s Turbulence tool to create thorns.

For this one, Polar Coordinates in PS again.  That was fun!

Composite made in PS with two photos of mine, taken with that concept in mind.

Dragon Boy, composite made with stock images and my own photos.

Double Exposure created in PS, with two images of mine.

Here’s my creativity slump therapy, what is yours?  This post is part of the Sisterhood Stories blog circle, visit Laura‘s blog and make your way around the circle, don’t forget to leave some love along the way…

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