Even at our most creative moments, we could go further if it were not for that little voice inside our head.
And that little voice puts up roadblocks. Sometimes those roadblocks are real, but more often those roadblocks are completely constructed from nothing but irrational fear or the most basic of actions. Perhaps knowing that other people share many of the same silly roadblocks–and even knowing what some of them are–will help us all move through them.
So today’s post is simple. Let’s put it out there. Just complete the sentence “I’d be more creative if…”
I’ll start us off. I’d be more creative if I more regularly created the quietness in my life that creativity requires.
Now it’s your turn.
[Why Do We Fail poster by Allen Ruppersberg]
I’d be more creative if I had time to practice being creative
It sounds like such a bogus excuse…
That “small voice” is what Seth Godin calls the Lizard Brain.
Trying to ignore it but it has been talking to me for so many years…
..if I had an income.
I’d be more creative if I didn’t get fall for the distractions (Things I’ll use to procrastinate) that fear puts in front of me.
if I had parents that appreciated nevermind encouraged creativity :-/
I’d be more creative if I spent the first four hours of every day working for myself, not my clients.
…I had more confidence in myself.
I got more sleep.
… I had no time and lots of stuff to do on the list. I am most creative if I know that I can’t realize things in terms of time, money and space
I’d be more creative if…. I wasn’t trying so hard to be creative.
I’d be more creative if I understood the world more, and what it offers.
I’d be more ceative if I realize frustration is the first step to creativity, hence a rut is nothing more than a starting point
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t regularly paralyzed by the necessity of making money and keeping my to-do list under control.
…if I had fewer priorities in my life to juggle…
As you say the quietness of mind needed to be creative is often a fleeting moment rather than the dedicated hours I’d prefer.
I’d be more creative if…. I didn’t have so much real life to deal with!
…..if I had a higher level of confidence in my creative abilities.
I’d Be More Creative If I could shed some of the “uniformity” I aquired in the military.
if i let myself be more creative!
… if I could get over my fear of failure and harsh criticism.
If I had more money to get the items I need to….
I’d be more creative if I could conquer fear.
… I didn’t have to listen to other people’s problems.
seriously though… if I didn’t worry about other people’s judgments.
… if I just had more courage to make bigger investments in my favorite ideas.
I’d be more creative if I followed through with more ideas.
I have no shortage of creative ideas that I ant to pursue. It’s just actually getting out there and doing them that holds me back.
…if I allocated the time to start at least one of the projects on my list of ideas.
I’d be more creative if my day job didn’t consume my life.
bummer johny. =(
I’d be more creative if… ” I didn’t have to take as much creative direction from an account coordinator who’s relaying a message from an account manager whom is receiving direction from the account director, getting creative from the marketing manager, who is in turn considering the brand guidelines wondering if that’s right messaging to use, being applied in a separate market.
I’d be more creative if I believed in myself the way others believe in me.
I’d be more creative if i didn’t have the responsibility of other lives.
I’d be more creative if I was more assertive.
I’d be more creative if I was more prepared.
I’d be more creative if I was more decisive.
I’d be more creative if I was more focused.
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t so lazy.
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t afraid to make mistakes.
I’d be more creative if I was willing to spend the time to craft my work to fit my vision.
Hah, Ben, snap! We were writing essentially the same thing at the same time.
I’d be more creative if I followed through on the 20 ideas a day but I am too scrambled with what needs to get done as opposed to what I want to get done.
I can think of two things that I think regularly before I realize it.
“I’d be more creative if I had the time to shoot more”
and
“I’d be more creative if I had a dedicated space to make into a studio”
Both of them are BS of course, and thanks for reminding us of that!
… if I accepted risk as a necessary part of that creativity and let it power me instead of intimidate me.
I’d be more creative, if I were more creative…
I’d be more creative if I knew that I could use it…
That may sound a bit strange, but I actually have more creative ideas that I can implement – or know how to implement.
It often comes down to a time limit – I don’t enough, but I’ve often found that the more creative my ideas are, the harder they are to implement. Sometimes it can be as simple as me being unable to explain my idea to the model.
So maybe it could be:
I’d be more creative if I know how to control my creativity with reality checks
Oh, and btw: I always write it down when I have an idea for a shoot. I never look at the list, but it’s a good way to think about things and solidity the idea. For me.
Id be more creative if i made myself pick up my camera more and spent less time trying to find clients to be creative for.
if i read more than I am reading, spend my time with people who have broad horizonts and are interested in art of any kind
If I could accept failure of my “great” ideas and lean from the rather than fear that failure.
I’d be more creative if:
I unplugged my internet.
I got my hands dirty.
I didn’t give a shit what people think.
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t trying to come up with excuse as to why I’m not more creative
i’d be more creative if i would achieve the balance of mind, body and spirit and be present at the moment.
I’d be more creative if I just let go of everything that I would “blame” for holding me back.
Just start writing down your ideas and pursue your creativity.
If I wasnt afraid to look silly to onlookers or clients and then the idea not even work out…
… if I had more free time each day.
… if I wasn’t stuck in a cubicle from 8-5.
… if I took more risks.
… if I had more money to be able to afford the right tools.
… if I didn’t have to worry about paying the bills.
If I wasn’t always thinking about whether other people will like it, ……if I wasn’t thinking, does this mean something.
I’d be more creative if I’d 1) clean up, organize, get rid of the physical clutter that weighs me down and 2) paste the camera to my face and give myself permission to be… give in to the blinders-on, freefall, nonjudgmental experimentation and jumping-without-a-net exhilaration that is creativity. (That’s how it can be for me sometimes, anyway.)
I’d be more creative if people were willing to take more chances and step out of the box!
I’d be more creative if I spent less time reading blogs about cameras and more time using one.
…if I got off my butt and tried the things running around in my head!
I’d be more creative if I would just do it.
… if I could separate the ‘business’ away from the photography.
…if I would alone all the time
I’d be more creative if I quit wasting time wondering why I’m not more creative.
I’d be more creative … If I worried less about what other people think.
I am creative. Everybody is one way or another. But other people should stop asking “if” or “why”. An image is as beautifull is the feeling it gives you.
I am laughing a bit, the question is something I would expect Dr. Phil to say. You want the honest truth, creativity and ideas are easy to come by. You can ask my wife, she calls our bathroom the ‘idea room’ because every time I come out of there, I have at least one good idea. The problem is not how to be creative or where to find ideas, it is in culling the crap ideas and finding time and resources for the great ideas.
I’d be more creative if I didn’t feel guilty over the time it sometimes takes trying to be creative….. yeah…. I’ve got to get over the excuses. Focus more, worry less. Good topic.
i’d be more creative if….. I had more confidence in myself and the creative ability I DO have.
I’m right there with you bro.
Amen.
…if I had more time.
… if I trusted myself to fail well.
That is an awesome statment…Fail Well…
So true…a lot of times creativity and success do not go hand-in-hand.
I sometimes think of another term…”Beautiful Loser”
I’d be more creative if I didn’t doubt myself all the time.
John R nailed it for me. I spend too much time thinking about what others might think about my efforts.
Absolutely.
Time is the block, not creativity, for me.
…if I focused less on the money a d more on product, service, and blowing my clients minds.
…if I didn’t fear the unknown.
I’d be more creative if I didn’t have to pay everyday bills!
If I spent less time worrying about not having the right gear
if I stopped reading blogs…it’s my way to procrastinate
I’d be more creative if I created.
…If “procrastination” wasn’t my middle name.
I’d be more creative… if I do more through trial and error.
if I would stop reading the photographer tweets with catch phrases and actually create something…
If I wasn’t afraid of rolling the kayak while I was shooting. Also, kind of timid to get those model releases that I need sometimes.
If I had more deadlines. So that’s what I’m giving myself right now, thanks.
…I did more projects for myself instead of my job.
We can be more creative? Cool!
I’d be more creative if I actually applied myself and went out there to do things
…. if I set a block of time aside at the end of each week to at least attempt some the creative ideas I had when I didn’t have the time. ( oh and the procrastination thing rings true too )
…I just bucked down and did what needed doing to express and nurture my creativity.
I’d be more creative if didn’t distract myself with side projects
… the problem isn’t being more creative, the problem is learning to successfully sell our creative ideas to current and prospective clients.
Many clients are securely rooted in status quo. The challenge for most is to break that “just use what works” mentality with an idea that is truly unique, often under an unrealistic budget with a tight, unrealistic timeline.
That is the challenge. The payoff is real recognition. Perfect example? Wieden + Kennedy (Craig Allen and Eric Kallman) and their old spice commercial (i’m on a horse) that went somewhere beyond viral into the realm of a marketing perfect storm.
I’d be more creative if I spent less time comparing my work developed over the past two years to work developed over the past 50.
I’d be more creative if I did more things in the moment and asked questions later.
I would stop worrying the photograph won’t turn out GREAT, and realize you must have failures to know what success is.
If I spent less time reading, thinking, browsing, talking. And more time making stuff.
Making stuff is the important bit. THEN edit to find the good stuff. Make more stuff. Edit. Make some more. Edit again. Make. Edit.
But when I edit my ideas, before I have made anything, I become creatively constipated.
Think less. Do more.
…if I had the supportive network of professionals needed to develop my ideas with me. I try, but fail to be able to do it alone.
…. if I didn’t have a 9-5 job.
…if I was independently wealthy.
… if I wasn’t afraid of failure
..get more peace, happiness and trust in my self.
I could be more creative if I simply place more faith and confidence in the tools I already have, and my ability to use them…
I’d be more creative if I acted on my creative ideas, instead of thinking of more ways to be creative.
…If I actually just did stuff instead of over thinking it all the time.
…if i learned the craft of photography so well that i wasn’t constantly thinking about the technical aspect of the picture – if that was so well engrained in me that it came second nature – then I could focus more on creating an interesting image.
…If I wasted less time doing unimportant, time waster-ish things…
… if I worried less about being creative.
I would be more creative if I pulled my finger out of my @$$… and put it on the shutter release button. The rest is easy compared to, say, running home after a vasectomy. It really is up to me to just get up and get the shot together and shoot it! I fail when I am too lazy to succeed.
Thanks for that revealing introspective moment Chase..!! LOL Time to move my finger…
…if I had two hours each day just for myself and my relaxing hobbies!
If I shut off that voice. ….if i didn’t have to pay bills, …worried about failure,…worried about success,…ill do it tomorrow . shut off the voice do it now be in command of your feeling not a save to them.
I would be more creative if I took all the labels off the common subjects around me and just photographed them as shapes, tones and textures.
…if I stopped trying to be Chase Jarvis, or Jeremy Cowart, or Joe McNally, or….
I’d be more creative if I worried less about what other people where thinking
if my canon 500D had manual features on the video mode. duh!!!
I’d be more creative if I believe more in myself and I dare a little more
Chase thanks for these moments of introspection
I’d be more creative if I sat down to think about funny experiences more often.
I’d be more creative if I dedicated more time to my craft.
Same here….. Daily life just gets in the way too much for me to be truly creative.
I’d be more creative if I allowed myself to just do rather than plan.
I’d be more creative (and true to self) if… I could find the gumption to quite my f/t job and go back to being self-employed
I’d be more creative if I put money worries to bed…
I’d be more creative if I had more (or took more) time during the day to think abstractly.
i’d be more creative if i had arty/inspiring friends/traveled more
I’d be more creative if I felt deserving of that reward.
I’d be more creative if I really figured out who I am as a photographer and stopped being like everyone else…
i’d be more creative if I wasn’t so bloody knackered.
I’d be more creative if I felt I was shooting for my career’s sake and not just for the heck of it. I’d be more creative if I could set aside the money for a new website/branding/marketing. I’d be more creative if I wasn’t scared of being disappointed if I fail. I’d be more creative if I wasn’t afraid to let my wife down financially.
I heard a great quote that’s been a motivator lately:
(paraphrased) – “I don’t love to write, but I love to have written” – Donald Miller via DuckDuckCollective.com. It’s been helping me get off my ass and just SHOOT PHOTOS.
I’d be more creative if I spent less time in front of a screen reading all these blogs
I’d be more creative if I would work on one project at a time.
I’d be more creative if I asked more questions of myself and of my clients. Chase, thanks for asking such a simple, yet powerful question. You rock!
I would be more creative if I started trusting God more to provide equipment instead of trying to go forward by my own power.
I’d be more creative if I wouldn’t be scared of taking risks and instead start doing all the crazy stuff that’s in my head. Damn I should really just do it…
with a name like ‘wild’ you totally should. =)
I’d be more creative if I had people that believed in me and supported me.
I’d be more creative if I stop listening to the naysayers and doubters and trusted more in my own abilities
I’d be more creative if I got up at 6am every morning to run.
I’d be more creative if I read more books and saw more films.
I’d be more creative if I made photography a ritual.
I’d be more creative if I deleted all RSS feeds.
I’d be more creative if I made it my goal to make as many mistakes as fast as I could, then learn from them all.
I am going to print this out and live by it TODAY.
I would be more creative if I wasn’t so afraid to go with my initial thoughts and not second guess myself.
Stopped all the excuses…
I’d be more creative if I followed through on executing random photography project ideas, rather than thinking “what’s the point? how will that ‘get me anywhere’?” and simply not do it.
I’d be more creative if I followed through on my creative ideas, so I could move on from them, and come up with the next one.
I would be more creative if I focused on the story more than the picture.
I’d be more creative if I did not use the excuse…”If only I had willing subjects to practice on…”. Finally, I decided to set up an empty black and decker box and light it as artfully as possible. I actually learned a thing or two that I was able to use in an engagement shoot.
Chase, I love your blog. Thanks for your inspiration. How did so many talented photogs end up in the Seattle area? Is there a creative vortex going on? Maybe we will never know the answer to that one, huh? At any rate, keep doing what you do. You are appreciated.
I’d be more creative if I got up off my ass and did it instead of thinking about doing it.
I’d be more creative if I practised mindfulness more often. By that I mean being actively aware and remaining alert for the exceptional moment that can be captured. A camera can only can only capture an image in the here and now. By remaining mindful and alert the I am compelled, moment by moment, to remain in tune with the present and thereby be ready for the moment.
I’d be more creative if I got the stupid idea out of my head that having to live most of my daily life speaking in a foreign language was a hindrance and not an opportunity.
I’d be more creative if I had a better…..what was I saying….oh, yea…a better attention span.
I’d be more creative if I had $1million and didn’t have to work a stupid day job which sucked all my energy and will to live.
I’d be more creative if I managed my time to take a mental break and let my mind roam free.
I’d be more creative if I committed to make more time for myself every week.
i’d be more creative if i just shut up, and went out there and did it…… whatever IT is….
if my boss belive in my ideas!!! and stop been scare of what the audience might understand of it!!!!!
I’d be more creative if…
wait a minute. One of the traps humans fall into is thinking about what could be only if. I wish I were more creative. But just sitting around wishing for it won’t happen. Not to mention that no boost in creativity will come from external factors beyond an individual’s control. What has to be done is one’s work. The power in doing the work is that it generates it’s own cosmic energy and the fallout are things that we want.
so…
I’d be more creative if I stopped worrying about not being more creative and got down to doing my work. For that is the fountainhead of universal gifts.
I’d be more creative if I could get even bigger and better creative teams around me. I like to feed on a pool of creativity around me when shooting – then I need not be the only one with the ideas – instead I like to steer creative ideas towards the given goal.
If I would stop getting in my own way.
I’d be more creative if I had more time.
“There is always room for something new. But most people who might be the source of that new thing will give up in frustration before they get to realize it.” –Todd Rundgren
I will be more creative when I learn more through trial & error and not worry about others perceptions of me or my work
I’d be more creative if I stopped worrying about “shoulds.” As the saying goes, “Don’t should on yourself.”
I would be more creative if I cast a wider net for collaborators. I’m working on it!
I’d be more creative if I created more!!!
Id be more creative if I didn’t let the work get in the way.
If I could get off this couch!
I’d be more creative if I can get focus on one thing and not trying to do all at the same time.
I’d be more creative if I took fewer, better photos.
…if I stopped watching junk TV and get out to be creative
I would be more creative if I stopped being afraid – afraid of how I will pay the bills, afraid of failure, afraid of my own limitations, afraid of what people think about my work.
Umm..Daniel? I think we’re long lost twins. I’m right there with ya!! Thanks for not being too afraid to admit your fears.
word dude! im feeling that way all the time!
[...] if i just listened to my wife! (lol)
I’d be more creative if my lizard brain didn’t question every decision I try to make.
I would be more creative if I created more
I’d be more creative if I was more willing to aimlessly explore.
……if I had the time required to actually shoot more then a few times a month.
……if I had the connections to team up with others that share my vision.
……if I was actually creative in the first place and didn’t bang my head off the wall every time I try to be creative..
……if I could actually let myself fail.
I would be more creative if I just picked up my camera and shot.
I would be more creative if I cared less about what others thought of my work.
I would be more creative if I just took the time to be alone to be creative.
Air conditioning & fluro lights are killing me slowly… real air + real light = more creativity for me
[...] if I had more time with my camera
…If I didn’t work 8-5 for the Navy.
Totally agree with David Redding. My biggest problem is reading and studying photography but not actually doing anything.
also:
[...] if I had a mentor that can give me good criticism.
I;d be more creative if I did today what I put off ’till tomorrow!
…if I could spend less of my mind on the trivial worldly affairs and concentrate on what my heart speaks.
…if I stopped worrying about what others think.
If i weren’t so lazy and dared more. To take the extra step to get the “perfect” picture.
… if I just did it!
I would be more creative if you just stop thinking about how, when where and how.
I’d be more creative if…I just let go.
I’d be more creative if… I brought more of myself into my work… stopped comparing myself to others and accepted my quirkiness as an asset.
I’d be more creative if i were under pressure… ’cause laziness is THE DEVIL!
boys, boys…excuses, excuses…
if we have motivation and discipline we can do what we want…
… I stopped looking at what everyone else is doing and just did my own thing.
http://the99percent.com/videos/5822/seth-godin-quieting-the-lizard-brain
there is an explanation to all our fears about being creative, my discovery of the day
I would be more creative if I focused on the art and didn’t worry about the bills. Of course when I do focus on the art and creativity the bills take care of themselves. Funny how that works.
I’d be more creative if I limited my email inbox viewing to once an hour.
if I could tell people what they want and weren’t looking for their acceptance.
I’d be more creative if I stopped going out to the workshop making longboard skateboards instead of working on a complete makeover of my portfolio….
I’d be more creative if I’d overcome my lazyness..
I would be more creative if I would slow down and think about things more, instead of trying to get projects finished and out the door.
I would be more creative if I stopped letting little things choke me up. Little things like school work, personal relationships, computer space, and time. My biggest problem with my creativity right now is that I’m not making time for myself to be creative, instead I’m becoming trapped.
I’d be more creative if…I stopped over thinking the process and planned better. – Really boils down to putting the effort forth.
6 months ago I would have also added if I had more time…but I’ve been doing a 365 (plus have a full time gig, shoot weddings, and have a family to care for as well), and have learned the time has always been there I just didn’t use it properly.
So now that I know it there I just need to learn to better manage my time to give myself time to be creative and free to create.
A tip to all those I’d be more creative people, stop saying to your I’d be and just go out and do it!! We all have the what ifs. I say the hell with what ifs and go out and break new grounds, challenge yourself everyday to something new and all the good stuff will come with. We all start at the bottom with I’d be better with better equipment, better tools, better this better that. Well use what you have and be better than everyone with what you have and when you get the new goodies it just step in getting better and better.
Just go out and have fun with whatever you do!
Live life to the fullest and have fun while doing it.
Great article Chase!!
Cheers
…if I didn’t have perpetual writers block. Honestly, it’s the most frustrating thing in my life. The second i have to “think” of something, my head clams up, I freeze. Creative constipation. A day out for the kids, a new photo project, doesn’t matter what it is. Think? Argghhhh!!
The only times in my life I can remember have clear creative thoughts and ideas have been after two berievments and a traumatic split with an ex. I assumed this is normal, a lot of successful artists seem to have pain and angst in their lives. (Come on, how many poems have you ever written and what was her name?
)
“I could be more creative if…I was miserable more”???
)
(I’ll settle for happy and frustrated thanks
All of the above – but especially fear of rejection…
I would be more creative if I just trusted my gut instinct more, did what I like to do and forget about money and paying bills and just enjoy the ride.
I’d be more creative if…I would remember that I’m an equal to whomever; that no one is better than me, it’s just that they have different experience to share that makes me think they know more.
I’d be more creative if my damn left brain didn’t always beat my right brain. If my left side had its way, I would wake up and head out on foot rather than get in my car to rat race to the office to pay fund this trip called life. It is such a catch-22. Er, I’d be more creative without these excuses.
G2G – I’m going to go get creative.
I’d be more creative if my life depended on it.
I’d be more creative if I stopped trying to make everyone happy.
This thread made me tear up a little bit. Next time we view a photo or other work of art, even if we’re tempted to criticize it lets try to find something we truly and honestly enjoy about it and relay that to the artist.
Lets all encourage each other so that hopefully we can stop worrying about what others will think of our work… I’m sure we’ll end up better off in life.
I would be more creative if I was more confident in my life.
…if I let myself work one or two ideas through instead of getting so overwhelmed with the TONS of inspiration around me.
…if I just let go and explored on my own and didn’t care about failing.
…if I interacted more with other artists.
I’d be more creative if I spent more time in real space and less time in cyber space.
Reading blogs is just another form of Procrastination. Although I enjoy reading A Photo Editor, Heather Morton Art buyer, What’s the Jackanory?, Benjamin Kanarek blog, Melissa Rodwell blog, Thoughts of a Bohemian, Seth Godin blog as well as Chase’s blog, this time could be better spent actually doing something.
So I’m going to cut my internet time by 90%. Starting now!
i’d be more creative if i got my own clone, one to do the creative stuff one to do the hustle bustle ‘you-have-to-do-it-work’
I’d be more creative if I shed the small stuff, focused on the art, and realized every day that what I do makes me the happiest in the world; no one in the world can take that away from me.
There’s no way I could be more creative. I can be as creative as I want to. I think that the question was read in a misleading way by most (if not all people – I didn’t read everything, sorry!).
Most people just gave some form of justification of why they didn’t spend more time on being creative. Or more effort, you choose your poison, it’s the same thing.
Because I have a job, because I don’t charge anyone for my pictures, does that mean I’m not creative? Was Chase a non-creative entity before he went pro? Are all the students in all colleges around the world, just mindless gray people?
No! Absolutely not. I feel that I’m as creative as my own limitations (jobs, spouses, these are all external). It’s my own incompetence or unwillingness to go further that limits some aspects of my creativity.
Or even, not my creativity, but my creative actions, or output. The actions is what’s affected by our own roadblocks. Not our creativity.
Nothing else… Jobs, the government, the navy seals, you name it, are not limits to your creativity. Because you create first with your mind.
I could be thinking of making a jeans commercial that involved three young models with jean pockets sown into their eyes (make-up) and nothing else, while they enjoyed a frenzy of drinking and sex, but be afraid to share this idea with said three models, or with the client.
Two different things.
… if I thought less about gear and just went out with what I have to create.
I would be more creative if I simplified my mind, and stopped worrying if I’m being creative or not.
…if I weren’t so bogged down with how I was going to pay my basic bills.
I’d be more creative if I could get more first-hand experience with different cultures.
I’d be more creative if i could run away from this monotony life i recently dive in.
I’d be more creative if I didn’t worry so much about things.
If I could quit my day job to focus on my creative ambitions
If I stopped reading all the gloom and doom stories of magazines, etc. and focused on the making of great images and stories with those images.
“… i would be more open and a bit better in self marketing
”
Thats what i try to learn.
… if I was more adventurous and took more risks.
… if I was more deliberate about collaborating with creative people.
…….. if I wasn’t so worried about not being able to meet my basic financial responsibilities.
Reading what others have said, and writing my own contribution, is quite cathartic – great idea Chase.
Well put Paul: Cathartic it is… thanks Chase
I’d be more creative if I’d put my fear aside and stop procrastinating
I’d be more creative if I’d stop focusing so much on the technical aspect of photography and just …shoot…
Amen Stacy! I feel like I was much more creative when I first started shooting a couple of years ago. We’re so afraid of failure that it squanders our creativity (and this has been reinforced by all of our years spent in school learning that we must not make mistakes in order to achieve good grades… way to go public school system!)
I’d be more creative…if I had more open and free time to create instead of forcing myself to create when all of a sudden I have a free moment in life.
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t so worried that people would think my work was bad.
I’d be more creative if I had didn’t have bills to pay!
…if i just had that one lens that the other photographers have…or a better camera…or pocketwizards…
…if I didn’t hold down a full time job in the evening, spend my mornings in college and stay up at night finishing typing papers.
If my D5000 would remotely fire my SB-600 with the commander!!!
… if I could let my anxiety and self doubt go for 1/1000 of a second and just let the shutter fly with my ideas…
Amen Stacy! I feel like I was much more creative when I first started shooting a couple of years ago. We’re so afraid of failure that it squanders our creativity (and this has been reinforced by all of our years spent in school learning that we must not make mistakes in order to achieve good grades… way to go public school system!)
+1
…. if I could take pictures without a camera but with my eyes. Just imagine the possibilities!
….. also if I could worry less about failure and a nonsuccessfull career.
if I had more resources
if I could spend more time with my camera
I was going to say:
“… if I could drive. So I could explore further on my own without worrying about my companion’s boredom threshold.”
but then I smacked my forehead and said:
“…if I just used a little more imagination instead of finding practical excuses.”
If i have slr camera…
I’d be more creative if I had it in me – more creativity less techie.
I’d be more creative if I had the time to think of things
I’d be more creative if I had more ideas
I’d be more creative if I stopped doing the same-old same-old stuff, said NO to it, and kept time to doing something new and interesting.
I feel “I’d be more creative if”…. is a slight contradiction. Creativity IS thinking… thinking beyond your limitations. Beyond your equipment. Beyond money. Everyone is creative. Just have to think it.
However…. I’d EXPRESS my creativity better if…… I had more time, better equipment, access to unlimited resources etc…
I’d be more creative if I just asked….
Id be more creative if I wasnt bombarded with so many images and thoughts in one day thats swamp my creative thoughts
I’d be more creative if I didn’t think as much.
I’d be more creative if I had some more spare time away from the work that pays my bills. and i know how to do it, and it will happen
…I stopped thinking about what I am going to do and just do.
…if had more courage to do what I want to do, and be fearless of leaving the dock.
…if I were giving the extra effort and go farther than I usually do.
I’d be more creative if I wasn’t too afraid to ask others for help.
I’d be more creative if I took a chance, dropped everything and went for it
I’d be more creative if, every time I had an idea, my mind didn’t immediately rush forward and envision who would see it, their reaction and what that would mean for me both emotionally and professionally. I’m much more creative when I stay inside myself and nurture the concept.
I’d be more creative if I had a Nikon D4
I’d be more creative if i had less gear. And knew that gear inside out. Too much gear complicates everything when not needed. It blocks creativity and makes me be technical minded.
..if I spent as much time shooting as I do watching Jarvis’ photos & blog… naah, kidding!
I’d be more creative if I spent more time practicing.
… I could learn to trust my own intuitions more and stop worrying about what others think about my photographs.
………….if I didn’t fear criticism.
I’d be more creative when I let go and let ideas unfold on its own… and not worry about having the routine of a day job to interrupt such moments.
I’d more creative if I could…watch how Chase Jarvis works a little more
(You are a big influence and inspiration to a lot of creative people who probably ask themselves this question a lot!)
I would be more creative if was more disciplined with my time and money.
For all those people who blame their lack of creativity on their camera equipment or lack there of, I have to tell you all that out of the past 5 years I’ve been practicing photography 4 of them I used point & shoot cameras, I knew I was limited but I loved to take photos so I learned to master those cameras and use every single feature on them and studied composition and just kept taking photos. I now have an SLR but it’s an old Nikon D100, only 6 mp, with third party flashes and ebay transmitters, but I use what I have and I’ll use it all till I can’t any more. I bought the camera with old dirty lenses for $535, and I have made over a $1000 with my photography in the past 8 months or so and I haven’t even owned my SLR for a whole year yet.
My advice to you all is to just use what you have and keep using it, and use it some more, don’t ever let your excuse for your lack of creativity be because you don’t own some mechanical piece of equipment.
I’d be more creative if I had accountability.
…if I stopped trying to be so damned creative and just created!
…if I listened to that little voice in my head that said “shoot it, that’s right, now shoot it again from a totally different angle and a different point of view”. Instead of the other voice that butts in and says “awwwww, ‘probably won’t work out man, hold off for something better”
Your construction struck a chord, though for me I would describe it as “I’d be more creative if I more regularly created the kind of energy in my life that creativity requires.”
Still discovering how to do it but some of it is: clear out must-dos that take up mental space when unfinished; spend time with creative people; focus on the thing in front of me, not the thing that “might be better” somewhere else.
Provocative and interesting question.
I would be more creative if I stopped making excuses, pinning blame, and just got of my ass and did SOMETHING; stopped being held back by the thought of doing EVERYTHING.
And I will do that. Today. If nothing else, I’ll have pictures to share.
Thanks for the kick in the ass, all.
If I got off my ass and used the resources at my desposel. I have said so many times that you can make a good photo with a cardboard box and some film. I need to take my own advice.
If I weren’t afraid of success and the accompanying feeling of lack of worthiness when I’ve successfully and painlessly sold my work.
I’d be more creative if I stopped second guessing myself. It’s art – if it feels right to me, it’s right. Period.
(now if I only believed that wholeheartedly)
Sooooo agree with this, I’m a big sufferer of that
… if I could rid myself of the money worries and think more outside the box.
I’d be more creative if I stopped comparing myself to other people.
If I had people to be creative with.
If I was more comfortable with me.
I could make an image of everthing i see….ahd share it wit the rest of the world
I’d be more creative if I were free. Since I finished college and started a full-time job I haven’t produced anything like I did when I was an unemployed student. I’d be more creative if I wasn’t forced to grow up and spend all my creative moments behind a desk, in front of a work computer.
I’d be more creative if I stopped worrying about what other people thought, and let that stop me creating. And if I stop making excuses and just do….
I’d be more creative if I could break that subconscious restraining barrier.
…I had more time and balls to do more personal projects, wasn’t afraid to fail.
I’d be more creative if I lowered my standards and kept in the front of my mind that I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.
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