shake up your practice
When we think of practice, chances are our thoughts turn to honing skills and getting better at what we do. But what if, from time to time, we intentionally focus on shaking up our process, changing our ways or even intentionally making mistakes? What might we discover?
For years, I have photographed moving water by setting my camera on a tripod for long exposures. It is still my preferred way of photographing moving water. But recently I’ve begun to make long exposures that are not only handheld, but that introduce a great deal of random camera movement. While I quickly delete most of these after importing them to my computer, I am finding more and more that I like. I’m beginning to learn which motions produce what kinds of results at which shutter speeds and have even tried this on subjects other than water with interesting results. The images are unexpected and quirky, and sometimes convey a strong sense of mood or emotion.
What part of your process or technique might you change—just to see what happens? What happens when you throw out assumptions and time-honored practices? When you do this and stumble upon something that is interesting, think about ways you might push that change even further and keep experimenting. You may discover something unique to expand or enhance your work.
Shake Up Your Practice

Awash. Amelia Island, Florida. ©2018 Lee Anne White.