Stuck for Inspiration? Try Something New with the Explorations Series

Every photographer hits the same wall sooner or later. The light feels ordinary, the subjects feel familiar, and the camera bag stays by the door. What we need in those moments isn't more gear or more time — it's a fresh prompt.

That's exactly what the Explorations Series at the Oakville Camera Club is designed to provide.

A Permission Slip to Experiment

Led by Robin King, the Explorations Series assigns a category, technique, or theme that members are invited to interpret in their own way. Past prompts have ranged widely — paper, glass, water, high key, low key, multiple exposures, cityscapes, textures, and a variety of colour assignments. You can browse the results in "Past Explorations" to see how broadly members have taken each idea.

The point isn't to produce a perfect image on the first try. The point is to stretch — to try a tool you've avoided, a genre you've dismissed, or a technique you've never had a reason to attempt. After the shoot, images are reviewed in depth in a small-group setting, where constructive feedback helps each photographer push the work further.

Why the Series Exists

Robin started the series as an encouragement for OCC members to experiment with alternative genres, tools, and techniques. It isn't for every member — some photographers prefer to stay within a comfortable approach to their work, and that's a valid choice. But for those willing to reach out and try new ways of working, sharing the results makes everyone better. Newer members in particular benefit from seeing how others interpret the same brief.

As Robin puts it, creativity shared is the main idea.

Who Is Robin King?

If you haven't met Robin yet, his perspective alone is worth showing up for.

Robin has been a photographer since 1968 — first as a professional photographer at the University of Waterloo, then as a lecturer and coordinator of the Sheridan College Applied Photography Program through the 1970s and early 1980s. He went on to develop Sheridan's Computer Animation Program in the 1990s, and has spent the past twenty years as an independent international consultant in creativity and animation, working primarily in China and the Far East.

In other words, he has spent a lifetime helping people see more, and he brings that to every session.

What You'll Take Away

Regular participation in Explorations gives you a wider range of genres, tools, and techniques in your toolkit, along with a better feel for the collective work and approaches of your fellow OCC members. Just as importantly, you'll start to ask new questions of your own photography — and new questions are usually what unblock the work.

"But I'm Not Sure I'm Ready"

This is the most common hesitation, and Robin is direct about it: Explorations is for every member, from beginners to advanced photographers. Sessions are built around open discussion rather than formal critique, so the conversation centres on different ways of seeing rather than judgment of any individual image.

In short: relax and enjoy.

How It Works

Explorations events are held several times a year via Webex. Each event has a description outlining the concept — your job is simply to get out and shoot, then choose three of your best images to submit.

To participate:

• Send your three images to Robin at [email protected]

• Submit at least 48 hours before the meeting date

• Images should be between 1 MB and 20 MB

• Include your name in each file name

Pick up the camera, take the prompt somewhere unexpected, and bring what you find back to the group.

We'll see you there.