What do you do when you feel uninspired? It could just be the relentless heat of summer driving you indoors toward cabin fever, or maybe you’re in a rut with your regular go-to creative expression. That’s where I found myself yesterday. Luckily my insightful husband noticed the downturn in mood and suggested I put down the paint brush and pick up my camera! I took to the backyard for a macro photography nature walk and boy did it deliver! So much beauty came out of that creative cross-training that I just had to share it!

Always Nature

In late July I rarely go outside to explore with my camera. The roses and lavender blooms have faded, our saturated greens have dulled with the summer sun, and fall color is still a long way off. Although I’m still in the yard as much as possible there isn’t a ton going on to take photos of. Or so I thought.

From forest to flowerbeds there was SO much detail that up until yesterday I’d never noticed! Texture apparently abounds this time of year. Who knew? The fern fronds were patterned with tidy little rows of brown spores. Blueberries had dried and shriveled on their stems, looking marvelously moody.

Wandering around the edges of the woods I found sprouting mosses and ruffling lichen. Aren’t they so delicate?

Color surprised me as well, with young persimmons blushing peach and the English roses producing hips the color of sunset. I thought I’d be waiting until October to enjoy these pretty rusty tones!

All in all I spent about half an hour rediscovering my late-July backyard. I’m so glad I did! My inspiration tank is full, I have new ideas for color combos and textures to use in painting, and I enjoyed learning what had been right under my nose the whole time. Give it a go, you won’t regret it!

Want to Give Macro Photography a Try?

There are a few ways to play with macro photography. Many phones now have a macro setting so this is an avenue accessible for most. If you own a digital camera there are special macro lenes available at different price points from a myriad of brands. Personally, I use a Nikon DSLR with three macro extension tubes attached between a 24-55 millimeter lens and the camera body. I like this option because I can use my choice of one, two, or all three extension tubes (depending on the look I want) and can use them with a lens I already know and love! (Tip: It takes some practice steadying your camera in manual focus, but I’ve found I like the results better than with autofocus when shooting macro.)

Although I personally needed to be outside enjoying the beauty of creation to enrich and revive my own art practice, your own “creative cross-training” discipline is absolutely a choose-your-own-adventure. Be it macro photography, painting, cooking, writing, quilting- it doesn’t matter. The jolt of perspective happens no matter what art form you explore with. Just keep your eyes open and see what you discover!

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What’s your favorite way to re-energize your creativity? Comment below or let me know Instagram! If you’re in the mood you can peruse my original art here, or check out some lovely Pinsperation here!

Grace + Peace! ~Lora

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*This is not a sponsored post. It does NOT contain affiliate links. Enjoy!

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