Inspiration in Photography

Inspiration in Photography

by Brooke Shaden
Released January 2014
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781134615513

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Book description

Inspiration is not a far-flung concept, out of reach to all but a few great artists. It’s not random luck either, hitting people like lottery winners. As a photographer it’s possible to train your mind to see the possibilities in any situation, and this book will show you how. By introducing you into her creative process, Brooke Shaden—one of the most recognized names in modern art photography—reveals techniques and exercises that you can undertake in order to be inspired by your environment, everyday, everywhere. As well as the exercises, you’ll learn how to compose, plan and shoot colorful, atmospheric, fairy-tale artistic photography, so you can adapt Shaden’s techniques and apply them to your own photographic style. Indeed, all artistic photographers seek to achieve their own style, but it’s not always easy to see how to get there. This book provides the perfect balance of insight and instruction to help you find inspiration whenever you need it, and capitalize on it every time.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Contents
  4. CHAPTER 1: THE PHILOSOPHY
    1. Personal history
    2. How I got my start
    3. My philosophy
    4. Everyone is creative
    5. Creativity can be learned
    6. Inspiration is everywhere
    7. Finding meaning in everything
    8. Tips & tools for finding inspiration
    9. Finding your passion
    10. Harnessing your passion
    11. Defining your style
  5. CHAPTER 2: THE PRACTICE
    1. Fine-art photography
    2. Commercial versus fine art
    3. Fine-art lessons
    4. Case study: Maryanne Gobble
    5. Case study: Amy Parrish
    6. Creating new worlds
    7. Embracing your inner “weirdo”
    8. Listening to your voice
    9. Case study: Expressing your voice
    10. Reading images
    11. Different uses of color
    12. Black-and-white photography
    13. Using props
    14. Different uses of props
    15. Case study: Mariel Clayton
    16. Using costumes
    17. Different uses of costumes
    18. Using locations
    19. Shooting indoors
    20. Shooting outdoors
    21. Elaborate location examples
    22. Case study: Cari Ann Wayman
    23. Creating characters
    24. Character in all forms of photography
    25. The anonymous character
    26. Creating a character with substance
    27. Case study: Ashley Lebedev
    28. Dark art & surrealism
    29. Putting your stamp on your art
    30. Creating tension & controversy
    31. Fairy-tales
    32. Case study: Dark surreal art
    33. Underwater photography
    34. Dive into a new world
    35. Case study: Elena Kalis
    36. Fine-art nudes
    37. Using the human form as expression
    38. Case study: Chris Bennett
    39. Fashion photography
    40. Seeing fashion as art
    41. Creating a series
    42. Putting a story into a series
    43. Creating interest in more than one photograph
    44. Self-portraiture
    45. The benefits of self-portraiture
    46. Using yourself as a character
    47. Case study: Joel Robison
  6. CHAPTER 3: STUDENT CASE STUDIES & INSPIRATION EXERCISES
    1. Forms of inspiration
    2. Location case study: Emmanuel Lhermitte
    3. Prop case study: Melissa Shanahan
    4. Wardrobe case study: Rosie Kernohan
    5. Color case study: Lia Niobe
    6. Technique case study: Will Hastings
    7. Inspiration exercises
    8. Final word
  7. Contributor biographies
  8. Index
  9. Acknowledgments
  10. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: Inspiration in Photography
  • Author(s): Brooke Shaden
  • Release date: January 2014
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781134615513