In a recent attempt to find a more natural style for me, I went out and bought some of the more inexpensive gear that I could find.  Equipment that I could use to be more creative.  And what I found both surprised and excited me (as an artist, so get your mind right).

So I now feel like I need to tell you all about this stuff.

The first that I felt like I needed to get (God, I wanted one so badly) was a smart trigger.  I've seen a few different models out on the market, so I did a little research on the subject and decided to go with the MIOPS Smart+.  There were other smart triggers on the market and some were definitely less money, but the Smart+ just seemed like the best fit for me (I cannot say this enough, research equipment before you buy it).

A real quick explanation would be that it's a device that you hook up to your camera to use different situations to trigger the shutter.  For example, maybe you use the light from lightening or the sound of a gun or something to tell the camera to release the shutter.  You can even use the app to control everything on your phone.  I definitely encourage every photographer that is even remotely interested in something like this to read up on it.  I love this thing and it really opened a lot of doors for my photography.

If you are interested, here's a link to the MIOPS Smart+ Smart Trigger.

After I got that, I immediately realized that if I was going to get creative, there was a good chance that I would need more lighting.  You know, new colors and such.  But I had to read up on the subject (again).  I mean, I don't want to go and spend a ton of money on something that really doesn't do what I need it to do.  What I found was perfect.

I found a whole bunch of lights for $50 and up, but they didn't really seem to be a great fit.  What did though was the Weeylite S03.  These things are perfect!  The provide all kinds of different lights.  All colors from across the color spectrum, soft lighting, hard lighting, everything.  You can use them for light effects to provide all kinds of different touches to both photos and videos.  You can even use the Weeylite app (for free mind you) to have complete control over up to six units.

And what really grabbed my attention (because I'm always going to try to work the inexpensive angle) was the fact that each unit cost only $25.  With that in mind, I didn't want to buy one.  I bought three and I swear by them.  Check them out through the link in the last paragraph.

Now I have my smart trigger to get those more difficult shots (lightening, split second photo opportunities, HDR or bracketing shots, time lapses, etc).  I also now have my lights to get whatever combination of colors and light effects that I need for just about any situation.  There was really one other thing that I could think of to make my photography pop with creativity: creative filters.

A lot of photographers don't like to work with filters for a few different reasons.  And really, who could blame them.  They're almost all a complete pain in the ass to use in one way or another.  What with having to change them out between shots and whatnot.  But there are plenty of upsides to them.

The proper ND filter is almost completely necessary for long-exposure photography.  A good grad ND filter will make a sunset or sunrise landscape photo complete.  And a CPL (circular polarizing lens) filter can bring out the best in an outside photo by killing unwanted reflections and making the colors deeper and more saturated.

However, there is a whole different category of filter that I find to be perfect for adding that personal flare to my work when I want to be a little more artistic with my photography.  I just lump them together as creative filters and the right one will turn your photography from reality to the surreal quickly and without excessive time spent on programs like Photoshop.

Creative filters would include a whole bunch of random filters to add little bits to your photos.  This could be colored (both full and gradient), kaleidoscope and prism styles, and random filters that add effects to characteristics that are already in the shot.

In this case, I invested in a set of handheld (they don't attach to the lens and you have to hold them in front of the camera) kaleidoscope-style filters by a company called Fractal.  I can definitely say for sure that I would recommend these to anybody that wants to have some fun with their work.  To check them out for yourself, try using this link:  Fractal Filters.

I've also picked up a KnightX prism filter and a halo filter.  The first one will give you a perfectly repeated photo across the lens (you would have to check out KnightX prism filters through this link to really understand).  The halo filter, also known as a "whirlpool" filter (again, you might as well use this effects filters link to check it out, and make sure to look at the other ones on the linked page), creates a blurred effect around the image, framing the central subject with a blurred image from whatever is in front of the camera.

I've just uploaded some of the photos that I made with this equipment, and I will keep doing so as I go, so make sure to keep an eye on the Galleries page.  I will be constantly putting new work up.  These have opened so many options for me when it comes to truly creative and artistic images.  Welcome to the mind of the artist.  Welcome to surreality.

And I will see you on the other side my friends.