Waar zit creativiteit nu eigenlijk in?

What does creativity actually mean?

Creativity is a crazy thing... we all have it deep inside us, but we all struggle to really get it out. We must encourage it and do our best so that we amaze ourselves and our surroundings.

Another tricky trait we all seem to have is that we never really think of ourselves as creative enough. Until someone else says it, then sometimes we believe it (a little).

The problem is that creativity only really flourishes when we are taken out of our comfort zone, when we do things that we are not used to. Then we cannot rely on routine but are forced to really think deeply.

Just like Ester when taking this high key photo. She had never done anything like it before and didn't even know if she liked it. Until a painting, a picture of a photo, appeared on the back of her camera.

Wow, she surprised herself with this. That wow feeling is the most beautiful thing there is....

During the workshop she learned that light is a huge source of creativity, and that playing with light can make or break a photo. What is the direction of the light? And the intensity? What is white balance?

But especially that direction of the light is essential. A tour of the Rijksmuseum, past the old masters, makes everything clear. They were known as masters of light. They knew exactly where to let the light come from in order to create a beautiful drawing of the light and shadows on the face.

And photography is nothing but painting, it matters to you too. If your subject looks at the window, the front of the face will be exposed. The viewer of your photo has direct contact with the model.

If your model looks away from the light, the light falls more on the long cheek and not in the eyes. It will be a distant photo.

Does the light almost disappear behind the model and is only an edge visible? Then we have a low key portrait. And much more near the axis of the camera and then considerably overexposed? Then we go to the high key portrait.

Did you know that one of the great masters with a leading role in the Rijksmuseum also has its own light pattern: the Rembrandt light. Just search with Google. A world will open up for you.

Here comes a challenge for you: take a portrait near a window that does not have direct harsh sunlight through it. Make sure the window is 45 degrees to your side and turn your model to face the window. In high key photo of Naomi (the model here), she would be looking right at the window. Then take a picture.

Now turn your model to the other side facing away from the light and then take another picture. Which do you like better?

Would you like to learn more about light and creativity? Then make sure you're at the Pro Creative Portraits workshop on Saturday. Then you will also learn to take the most creative photos:

https://shop.marcellogeerts.com/products/creatieve-portraits-pro

Until Saturday!!

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