The speaker reminds us that “creativity isn’t a gift — it’s something you work at.” Reflect on your own experience in this class: when has creativity felt like work to you? What part of your process do you think you could keep developing or “working at” as you build your portfolio? by Kathryn Mayo

Creativity

2025-10-07 23:49:41 UTC

I find the biggest part of the class that feels like work is going from the details of an assignment and trying to create a concept of the image to shoot in my mind. I had always been more of a passive photographer, capturing what I saw in the world around me. Now I’m learning to construct the image and manipulate the environment or the shot better.

2025-10-08 06:04:22 UTC

I think that creativity has felt like work to me when I force inspiration and when I lack of imagination. Most of the time, I feel pressure to be creative and I can't think of a clear idea or subject. It becomes difficult rather than it being a natural expression. This is something I should keep developing as I build my portfolio. I need to start with an idea to provide a clear goal and make the creative process more intentional. Also being more observant of my surroundings to see abstract elements like light, lines, and shapes to create better photographs.

2025-10-09 01:01:15 UTC

I would have to agree with my classmates the biggest part of work that comes from this class it’s not being able to freely take pictures. I’m so used to just taking pictures of what I feel is inspiring or creative to me Versus being giving a prompt or subject to re-create that style of photo. It’s definitely different. It’s definitely challenging, but at the same time, it helps to learn to be very intentional when it comes to photographic anything

2025-10-09 23:50:21 UTC

I think for the portfolio specifically this relates towards actually putting in work to develop a concept, it cannot be just a one shot and done deal. Portfolios take time and effort to build on ideas, it takes reflecting and reshooting to strengthen those ideas. Honeslty I have fallen behind on my portfolio assignments, but I would rather offer something that is a working and be able to continue exploring it.

2025-10-11 00:15:43 UTC

Creativity feels like work when there are boundaries or when I feel limited. It almost feels like a chore when having to meet those specific requirements and details. And I must confess, it makes me want to do the work even less. I'm starting to understand the concept behind it though. It helps build on our foundation of creativity and it helps branch out new ideas that we didn't even think we were capable of. I want to work on accepting new ideas and getting out of my comfortability.

2025-10-11 04:10:20 UTC

Not only in this class, but many times before and probably after, I feel like creativity turns into "work" when I hit a creative bump and have to force myself to come up with ideas instead of them coming more naturally to me. I think for me, learning more of the basics opens more possibilities for new and more creative ideas.

2025-10-11 18:34:13 UTC

I feel like creativity feels like "work" when I have syllabus requirements and strict guidelines, although these things also end up pushing my creative practice further so I appreciate them, even if I'm initially "stumped" about how to address the challenge. I would like to be able to develop my creative practice further, so that I get less "writer's block" in brainstorming images. Seeing examples from other photographers helps, but I also want to be able to branch out beyond just imitating other artists to really find my own niche and visual language. I'm still early in my practice, so I guess it takes time and more practice.

2025-10-13 06:00:30 UTC

I think that photography starts to feel like work when you are prompted to do things. I think it's difficult to shoot for someone else other than yourself especially when you have been doing it as a hobby beforehand. But, where there are limitations, there are ways to work past them and to grow as an artist. I see challenges as something to help improve myself as a photographer. One thing I know I need to work at is creating images that tell the viewer a story. I believe that is one of the hardest things about photography because you can explain your photo all you want, but when your work is up in a gallery, you won't be there to explain. My photos need to speak for themselves and that is what I want to work on for the portfolio.