In this lesson: Learn to train your eye to see creatively

Exercising your creative vision by deliberately looking at objects around you in a different way can open your mind to new photographic opportunities.

It’s said that creative people look at the world in a different way. Showing viewers something where it doesn’t actually exist is one mechanism you can employ to engage viewers. By consciously practicing the art of looking at things differently, you may learn that there are many ways of seeing. That knowledge can provide you with a newfound creative edge.

One of the simplest ways to do this is to look for scenes in which unexpected objects create shapes that look like letters. They can be obvious, like the sunflower that looks like an “O.” They can also be a little less obvious, like the “Y” shape in the sample image of the tree trunks.

The purpose here is to look beyond what’s obviously in front of you and begin to consider how you can highlight small vignettes that offer a more unique perspective. At its very basic level, this practice helps you develop your creative eye, that way you train yourself to see elements that can add interest to a scene – shapes, lines, colors, shadows, and the like.

Challenge Activity

Using objects you find in your everyday activities, create a photographic recitation of the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Step 1: Find and photograph an object in or around your home with the shape of the letter “A.” Look at shadows, small details, etc. and keep perspective in mind. Compose your photo to highlight the shape.

Step 2: Keep your camera with you throughout your daily activities and photograph “B,” then “C,” and so on until you’ve recorded all 26 letters.

Step 3: Start over, but photograph the letters in lowercase form (“a,” “b,” “c”…) for an added challenge.

Step 4: Going forward, find other ways to use this exercise to keep your creative vision sharp. Look for numbers. Create a series of geometric shapes. Use your imagination and have fun looking for these creative elements before you even look at the entirety of the subject itself.