Here are 10 ways to photography inspiration I put together. My general tip is to create limitations for yourself and stick to them.
1. Limit yourself in choice of motif, select a subject and concentrate
Find the most obvious, cliche motif to photograph and make it new. Autumn? Limit yourself to photographing leafs, but try to find new views.
2. Break the rules
Find as many “rules” as you can think of, check out tutorials for composition and so on. Then intentionally break them as much as you can.
3. Go black, white and square
Fake old medium format (or do it for real with a film camera). A friend of mine said (half joking): “Isn’t the image interesting? Crop to square and make black and white.” Remember there are many ways to go black and white, and the fastest are often very bad (desaturate for example).
4. Limit your gear to one lens
Technique should not be your focus, but I sometimes find it inspiring to explore what you can do with just one prime lens. Leave the big bag home.
5. Search for groups of your interest
Do you have another interest then photography? Search for image groups on the subject (on flickr, ipernity and similar services). This is so obvious but sometimes you forget. I am interest in medieval european history, suddenly it crossed my mind to search for it on Flickr. I found this.
6. Go through your archive
Several good things comes out of revisit to the archives. You will find new jewels. You will (I hope) see your own development.
7. Look at art history and contemporary art
Inspiration is a second hand merchandise. Check out favorite artist (if you don’t have one, get them). De La Tour for lighting perhaps.
8. Change time of day (and light)
Best example of course to photograph nature on other times then during the day – dawn, dusk. Defy bad weather. Daytime on a sunny summers day is very hard light to photograph in.
9. Criticize other photographers
Explain to others how things should be – sometimes the best way to straighten out your own ideas. There is lots of forums on the Internet. Be sure to use one were it’s understood that the other members seek criticism.
10. Don’t photograph
If you really don’t feel up to it and don’t have to – don’t do it. Wait til you get the mojo back. Go for a walk instead. I’ll bet you’ll see lots of things if you don’t have a camera ;)
