Limitation sets you free (Patreon)

In photography, you can  do anything, which can inhibit creativity because there are so many options. Sometimes it's a great idea to limit yourself. 

It could be to using only one specific light source, or one background, or one prop. 

When you limit yourself, you create a framework and have to work hard to explore the possibilities within that framework.

In my old studio, we had some west-facing windows. From late spring to late summer, the sun would hit the brick wall and create some interesting light patterns. 

On the opposite side of the street, there was an apartment building (I'm sure I have supplied good entertainment to a few inhabitants). Anyway, that building is a couple of stories higher than the studio, so at some point, the roof would start to cast a shadow and because it's further away, it would cast a softer shadow (see the second image).

So when the sun was shining and reaching the wall, I would often shoot whatever I could in that light, using the pattern as framing, and exploring shape and light on the model - until the sun went down behind the other building.

I firmly believe setting restraints make you explore things that you would otherwise not do, and that will make your images more creative. Some of the pictures you create may not be perfect, but others might be extraordinary.

The model here is Maria Kissov