9 surefire ways to get out of a photographic rut

Shooting the same subject in the same way isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be a great way of improving your technique and taking better pictures.

However, most photographers go through periods in which their photography becomes a bit stale and they’re effectively taking the same shots over and over again without making any real progress.

If that sounds familiar, our nine tips may help you climb out of your photographic rut.

1. Make some time
Many of us have to fit photography in around everything else and it’s often shoe-horned into other activities.

A walk with the family allows a few snatched shots, for example, but there’s rarely time to really exploit a scene’s full photographic potential and erecting a tripod is greeted by groans from the rest of the party.

So one of the best ways to get out of a photographic rut is to give yourself some time. Creativity isn’t something you can just turn on and off, it needs time and space to develop.

If you were in a football team there’d be a time each week when you’d train and another when you’d play a match – there’s no doubling up of activities.

Treat your photography in the same way and decide a time each week in which you will concentrate on taking pictures.

SEE MORE: Inspirational Pictures: 8 ways to get your photo mojo back

2. Find a new feature
Modern cameras are incredibly complex with a huge array of features, yet many photographers only scratch the surface using the same familiar settings.

So our next tip is to reach for your camera’s instruction manual or press the menu button and take a look at all the available options.

There’s bound to be something interesting in there that you’ve never used. Perhaps there’s an intervalometer that you could use to create a timelapse sequence. Or maybe you’ve never really explored all the Picture Style modes that give JPEGs a different look?

Whatever it is that you discover, think about what it is designed to do and the type of images that it will suit and then shoot something appropriate.

SEE MORE:5 digital camera features no photographer should be without

3. Splash some cash
A new piece of kit can be very inspiring, offering a whole new range of possibilities. While a new lens that offers a focal length or aperture setting that you have yet to exploit can work wonders, you don’t need to spend a fortune.

A neutral density filter, for example, will allow you to take long exposures in daylight so you can try your hand at blurring moving water or clouds.

SEE MORE: 10 essential accessories for your new camera

4. Learn a technique
Take a look through our techniques section or flip through the pages of a quality magazine like Digital Camera and you’re bound to find a photographic technique that you’ve not mastered – now’s the time to give it a proper try.

The important thing, especially if it’s a post-capture software technique, is to think carefully about the sort of subject and scene that would suit the technique and shoot something suitable, don’t just make the technique fit into what you’ve been doing for ages.

SEE MORE: 6 composition techniques that will improve your photography

5. Shoot a project
A surefire way to get your photographic mojo running is to set yourself a project and give your photography a purpose. Perhaps there’s an issue that you feel strongly about that you could document, or maybe you’ve always fancied taking a few photographs of your home town with a view to making a calendar?

Or you could set yourself a challenge such as entering a photographic competition or achieving a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society (http://www.rps.org/). Whatever it is, start making plans and get shooting.

SEE MORE: Project 365: ‘I used a different camera every single day for a year – here’s what it was like’

6. Phone a friend
Most of us have a friend with whom the conversation always turns towards photography. Well how about organising a joint photographic outing? Going out shooting with someone else could be just the shot in the arm that your photography needs.

One of the first things that you’ll need to decide between you is what or where you’re going to photograph, your friend may have a favourite haunt that you’ve never explored. That in itself can give you a spark of inspiration.

Talk through the location/subject options and the creative possibilities that they offer. Then when you’re at the shoot location, feed off each other’s ideas.

Your friend is likely to spot subjects and angles that you don’t, and vice-versa, it’s interesting to see somewhere from a different person’s eyes.

Having two photographers also opens up a few creative options; painting with light, for example, becomes a lot easier because you can take turns to do the painting and shooting.

SEE MORE: 8 ways to tell if you are growing as a photographer

7. Explore a new area
Visiting a new location can really invigorate your photography as you’ll find lots of new areas to explore that are full with potential subjects.

If you’ve lived in the same place for a long time you may need to go quite far afield to find somewhere new and exciting, but that shouldn’t hold you back.

Take a look at a map and see if there’s anywhere that looks interesting that you haven’t been to and browse the tourist information leaflets and websites.

Television programs can be great sources of location inspiration, for example, you could head to a site mentioned in a history program or visit a city mentioned on the news.

SEE MORE:73 photo locations to shoot before you die

8. Take a break
Holidays are the perfect time to indulge your pastime. As well as having some time devote to photography you’re likely to be in an interesting and attractive area.

Before you go take a look at a map of the area and browse for images on the Internet to get you thinking about what and where you’d like to shoot.

There are also lots of photographic holidays and workshops on which you’ll get some helpful advice as well as visit some photogenic locations.

SEE MORE: Creative Photography: 10 tips for getting out of your comfort zone

9. Find a model
Booking a professional model costs money, but if you get together with a few friends it doesn’t have to be prohibitive. There are also lots of people with aspirations to be models or actors who would love some shots of themselves and who are willing to sit for free provided they can use some of the images.

The best way to find a model is by signing up to a modelling website and posting a request. Be honest about your experience and explain the type of photographs that you’d like to take. Also mention your proposed location and shoot date.

Alternatively, assuming that you’ve photographed your own family ad infinitum, why not ask friends and neighbours if they would like a few shots of their kids or grandchildren?

And if you know any friends in a band or who take part a sport or activity, they will probably jump at the chance to have some photos of themselves in action. Go on ask, what harm can it do?

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