The Evil Triangle of Creativity

If you are in any way creative in the arts, like writing, this might be of interest. Even though this piece is primarilly aimed at photographers, (because I'm a photographer) the difficulty of being trully creative affects all genres.

You may have heard of the exposure triangle? A basic knowledge graphic learnt by all photographers? But much less is known about - because I've just invented it - the Evil Triangle of Creativity.

This, I argue very weakly here, is the interlinking of three factors: Naivety, Self Awareness and the Dunning Kruger effect.

Let me explain...

Unlike the exposure triangle, which is undisputable and fixed, the evil triangle is a paradox of confliction. That's because it's not at all scientific and a bit more philosophic. Creativity, you would agree, is a basic function of the human soul and appreciation of the results of that creativity is in the beholder, is it not?

Nursery school children have their art displayed by proud (or just exhausted) parents on kitchen fridges the world over. Those that have fridges anyway. Yet naïve art is also celebrated in major art galleries too. So that's why I guess you also need - at least to some degree – to be naïve. Most artistic work we produce as we grow and learn is influenced by the art that precedes us. Hence, to be truly creative, do we not also need to be brave about our naivety and freely create much like a child?

This is a problem for photographers because our art is highly technical. We can't just pick up a brush and paint or cut out coloured shapes and call it art. As a consequence, we lose much of our naivety as we learn all the science and technicalities needed to produce an image using cameras. Aesthetic naivety can help in seeing things anew. Like most people, I don't know much about art but I know what I like. (I'm an ignorant buffoon in other words).Very few photographers do a Masters in Art Photography or study art much at all. In fact, many would claim the technical side is far more important than all this arty-farty stuff. Those of you who are in this camp have probably already left by this point. So on to the more arty-crafty stuff.

The next point on the evil triangle is Self Awareness. This is a very dangerous area. How can we both be creatively naïve and at the same time aware of that fact? Maybe by cutting ourselves off from art books and other world influences and live off-grid in a cave somewhere? That would at least give us a place dark enough for a back-to-basics darkroom and an early death from chemical poisoning. The added bonus being, once dead, you'll naturally become feted for your art.

Cynicism aside, it's difficult to do something that has never been done before. Or at least not been derived from the works of others. In fact, I'd argue it can't be done. But then again, some artist savant will inevitably prove me wrong. Which brings me to the last point on the evil triangle.

If we must necessarily be artistically naïve in order to be truly creative then this would also indicate a limited sense of self-awareness about that fact. And it's here that the last part of the triangle - the danger of the dreaded Dunning Kruger effect - comes into force. My mum (substitute Instagram followers) tells me my photography is wonderfully artistic, and to prove it, she sticks my art (lots of likes) on the fridge.

Not knowing what we don't know while proclaiming artistic competence is the chasm that awaits the unwary. Or the unaware. Or the ignorant. Even judges. So... it's complicated. The pursuit of new photographic creativity and the appreciation of that creativity by those that judge, is a labyrinth of paradoxes wrapped in a conundrum. Basically it's... did I say complicated already?

The moral of the story? Making a picture with a camera (not 'taking' - that's another can of worms)is a form of art, of course it is. And photographic art, like all art, is really all about the joy it brings to you.

There will always be that critic. That judge. That dismissive snort. That snide glance and the eye-roll. If you feel what you produce is below standard, don't get disheartened. Instead, remind yourself that you are, in fact, doing very well by not being complacent. All of us need to fight against complacency. Judges - by being the unappreciative idiots they are - help here. They might, just occasionally, have a valid point. Or two.

Use criticisms to improve by all means. But better to strive and learn from those who's work you admire - and then go and make your own voice heard in your own way. If to no one else, then at least to yourself. In the end, that's all that 'art' really is. And with luck, you'll be famous. Well, once you're dead I guess. Maybe. Such is life. Now where did I put that camera...?