Getting unstuck and feeling creative again
After many visits to Granville Island, Vancouver’s jewel of diversity, creativity and culture, I found myself following my own photographic footprints. And that’s a problem.
A huge challenge I often face as a photographer is finding new ways to express myself instead of repeating myself. When we humans experience success, the tendency is to do it again. This becomes very limiting. I was in a rut. I was determined to create a new path in my photographic travels through Granville Island. So I set myself a project to make several visits this summer with the intention of creating images that were “out of the rut”.
The challenge was great. It amazes me how strong the tendency is to do what I’ve done before. It forced me to say no to those familiar opportunities and think through the many other possible options. Sometimes the light would go on and I was off on a joyful journey. Other times, I hit a wall. After each visit, I came home exhausted. This task of digging deeper is hard work!
Here are a few of my most satisfying images followed by a short slideshow.











Well, if you made it this far, thanks for hanging in. Here’s a short video that shows you more.
Thoughts for Photographers
Do you relate to the tendency to repeat what you have done before? Especially to repeat what you have done successfully? Have you ever wondered why this is?
This tendency used to frustrate me enormously until I learned more about it. It seems our brains are wired that way. It’s not our fault!
When prehistoric hunters went out to capture food, you can bet they repeated their successful strategies so they’d have food the next time. And we do this constantly. Made a good dessert that everyone loved? You’re guaranteed to serve it again. Found a successful strategy that works with a difficult person? It’s now your predictable approach. What about you fishermen? Are your favourite fishing holes and lures because they’re beautiful or because they’ve rewarded in the past?
When I realized that it wasn’t just me but that I was wired that way, I decided to accept this tendency and work around it. And that’s what my purpose in this Granville Island project was all about. By pushing outside of my comfort zone, I entered new territory, where I experience lots of failure but am rewarded with occasional joyful discoveries.
If you recognize that you photograph the same ol’ stuff in the same way over and over, you may be on a dead end path to boredom. Sadly, many photographers quit the craft because they’ve “lost interest”. But here’s the answer: find a new path. Think different and rekindle your interest. In my intermediate photography class, which offers many creative strategies, a key principle is to find another way. This means to continue photographing even after you think you nailed the shot and always ask yourself, “How can I do this differently?”
Wishing you success in your creative journey.

Nice work Dennis, and interesting to read about your creative project. It is a good reminder for all us indeed, to continue the artistic development. Some standouts among the many wonderful ones are: Second Windows, Quad Light, the last photo of the reflected building and grey sky, diamond shaped lamps, and the “church” windows.
Hi Chris. Sorry with my late reply. Thanks for taking a good look and making comments. Really appreciate it. You picked out a few of my favourites!