This is how I see creativity progressing, specifically in a photographer's journey.

Person with a camera: Begin to play around with camera, try different ideas..don't just use it for regular picture taking, they begin to be creative.

Beginner: Start to read online (or in books) about different techniques and attempt to imitate what they see. Are a little more knowledgable how to mess with their camera, but still are somewhat unsure of how to do things.

Amatuer: They know how to do things, and are still quite creative. They do photography for the love of it, and enjoy being creative by trying new ideas and now know how to use their camera.

Professional: First paid job -- brick wall. It now becomes work. It's not just for your own enjoyment, but for profit as well. The results matter, you can't just hit the delete button and not worry at all. What do you do now that your creativity is forced?

1. Learn - A photographer never stops learning about up and coming techniques (HDR anyone? Oh wait, that's old news), about new programs, and how to stay afloat in the photography world. Technology is always progressing, and thus changing. You have to keep up with all the changes.

2. Practice - Put into practice what you read about..try those new techniques, get the programs you need to. Practice makes permenant, perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice being creative it will actually help you become more creative.

That's what I mainly wanted to talk about -- practicing creativity. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. An athlete has to go into the gym and work their muscles everyday..it's the same thing, but they're improving at it, just by doing it. So if you want to be more creative, you have to practice being creative. Not just on the job, but all the time -- take some of your off time and use it to try some new ideas.

Creativity..what are your thoughts on this interesting monster?