When it comes to creative photography, finding inspiration in a creative rut means having to look beyond the familiar. For Hong Kong-based wedding photographer Ben Tang, his passion and dedication have been instrumental in his ability to stay fresh. Throughout his career, creative blocks have come in a myriad of ways, not least due to factors such as weather and lighting. 

Nevertheless, Ben was still able to adapt and bring out a distinctly artistic element in his photos, whether they were breathtaking wedding ceremonies or appetizing dishes. His works speak of his ability to push through challenges and provide a unique voice via a rare gift to inject an artistic perspective across a range of photo opportunities. In this article, Ben shares his tips on honing creativity to capture the perfect shot regardless of the environment. 

1. Adapting to Disruptions 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought massive disruptions to most, if not all, industries across the world. For Ben, the disruption to his job as a wedding photographer was felt particularly hard, but it was also a pivotal moment in his development as an adaptable photographer who is highly proficient in almost any situation. 

"Bookings over the past two years took a nose-dive and it severely slowed down my work," Ben explained. "There were far too many changes from clients, some wanting to reschedule and others requesting to cancel their shoots for their safety."

With the few events that went through, things became harder as Ben and his assistants had to work separately. Keeping one another updated was important to ensure that they could deliver each photoshoot smoothly and with minimal problems. This way, Ben and his team could provide the end product that would satisfy their clients. "My assistants would prepare the venue in advance, and I would conduct the shoot when it was ready," Ben said.

2. Finding New Spots in Familiar Places 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben knew he would need to think outside the box to keep his business sustainable. With travel restrictions in place and couples preferring to remain in Hong Kong, locations for photoshoots were relatively limited. Ben wanted to capture photos that looked visually similar to other places around the world, so he and his team set out to find unique locations in Hong Kong. "From Sai Kung's outer lands to Luk Keng and Cape D'Aguilar to Tai Mo Shan, our main objective was to scout for romantic and breathtaking locations for fresh angles," he said. 

Throughout Ben's journey, he was able to uncover visually stunning locations that also allowed Ben to bring attention to Hong Kong's parts unknown. 

3. Expanding into Indoor Photography 

Over the past 2 years, Ben had to come up with new ideas to execute his photoshoots. "The pandemic had given me a flurry of new ideas to make me a more versatile photographer. Focusing on indoor photography allowed me to venture into maternity and family photography," he said. 

Photographing children was what he found more challenging than wedding and family photos, as children tend to be more uninhibited and expressive. He needed to be ready to take advantage of moments when they were cheerful and calm before clicking the shutter. A tip that Ben offers is to capture the moments as they are. It is easier to ask a child to pose or to show a specific emotion, but creating genuine moments is what parents cherish the most. He also advises photographers to be patient around children and be ready for moments when they are smiling or even crying. Ultimately, children, like adults, respond to familiarity. The more time a photographer spends with a child, the better they become at understanding them.  

Ben also delved into food photography, which allowed him to play around with different lighting, angles, and props. When capturing food, the lighting is what sets the mood, but the props are what give the photo story and context. For this reason, Ben makes sure to not only focus on the main dish itself but also frame the props with the dish. These props can include the ingredients used to make the dish and the cooking utensils. Taking test shots is another habit Ben has added to his experience, as it helps with developing ideas on portraying the subject in the official photoshoot. 

"Though I am new to food photography, I am still able to apply this newfound knowledge to wedding photography. I'm a much more accomplished photographer because of it, and believe it will add to my creative arsenal," Ben said.  

4. The Courage to Explore 

Ben believes that creativity allows photographers to capture the best moments that stand out from the rest. "Hobbyists looking to break into photography must never be afraid to think differently and try new methods. Finding fresh angles will breathe new life into the photos they capture," Ben said.   

For Ben, the key to becoming a creative photographer starts with being able to push through difficult circumstances. It also means getting out of his comfort zone to find the perfect angle, lighting, and backdrop before clicking the shutter. One never knows where and how inspiration can take hold until they get out and explore new horizons. This holds especially true for Ben, who feels that his latest works are his most memorable by far as they were born out of challenging times.