Wilson Photojournal

Borrowing "this week tip" of creativity from istockphoto. To my surprise I've pretty much been doing a few of these points below. Just to remind us on to 'think different' or just simply having fun.

As a creative, you’re a rebel by nature, but it’s easy to feel trapped under a boring, non-risqué cloud where it rains isolation and discouragement. iStock wants you to banish that stormy disposition with a furious hurricane of risk, creativity and exploration.

1. Take Risks – Rebels don’t follow rules, so start by admitting what habits you retreat to when you’re uninspired. Introduce alternatives to those habits, which will throw off your routine. Try a new cafe, change your haircut or leave your house more.

wilson: same goes if you'd like to do your own biz. Risk & being secure doesnt work well sometimes. Does controlled risk really work?

2. Invite Creativity – If you’re a photographer, take your camera somewhere unfamiliar. You never know what you’ll see on a trip to the dump or a walk through the neighbourhood on the other side of the train tracks (iStock’s HQ is on the other side of the tracks, for inspiration purposes, of course). If you’re more of an illustrator, take your sketchbook everywhere, from a garage sale to the aquarium, you just never know when inspiration might strike.

wilson: You could also go on a slightly different route when time allows. This way you'd get to see things slightly differently than your usual environment. Or buy magazines that may not be too relevant just to see other point of view.

3. Seek Inspiration – Whose art baffles your mind or arrests your soul? Not sure? Well, now’s the time to find out. iStock’s Design Spotlight, Article of the Week and Artist of the Week are a good place to start. Branch out to the ultimate rock stars of your genre who you dream of one day competing with. Take a tutorial you've been avoiding.

wilson: you must have liked someones artwork, person or amazed by his/her creation. Read his bio, his way of thinking and philosophy than just admiring the work. This will empower you more into creation than just on the surface.

4. Scrapbook it – No, not quite like your mother used to do. Gather artifacts like photos, ads, concert tickets, articles, lucky shoelaces or fabric samples. Whatever floats your boat and stirs your imagination.

wilson: sticky notes, use social bookmarking like digg, facebook, delicious to keep your most important link to come back next time. Talk about scrapbook, my desk is an organised mess!

5. Surround Yourself with Creativity – Pump up the volume on your stereo or iPod, rent that old Alfred Hitchcock flick or play a little music to get into that creative space.

wilson: music, items collectibles and definetly good friends to brainstorm ideas are your best source of creativity.

With creativity, those who add more risk and adventure will find more creative rewards. Now, go mix it up!