What started as casual viewing quickly turned into a creative rabbit hole.

 

How Binge-Watching Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year Can Change the Way You Take Photos

Let’s be honest — sometimes we photographers get into creative ruts. We fall back on the same angles, the same subjects, the same editing style. But every so often, something unexpected sparks a shift. For me, it wasn’t a new camera, a workshop, or a trip abroad — it was binge-watching Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year.

What started as casual viewing quickly turned into a creative rabbit hole. Before I knew it, I was looking at light, composition, and even my own photography habits in a completely different way. Here’s how a painting competition on TV led me down a whole new path in photography — and how it might do the same for you.

1. Seeing the Subject, Not Just Shooting It

When portrait artists begin their work, they don’t just glance at the sitter and get to it — they study them. They look at bone structure, posture, personality. They observe the character of a face. Watching that, I started thinking: “Do I do that with my portraits? Or do I just raise the camera and click?”

Now, I take a moment before shooting — especially with street portraits — to really see the person. What makes their expression unique? Where does the light fall? What emotion do I want to capture? Suddenly, my portraits became more intentional and expressive.

2. Reframing Landscapes with Mood in Mind

In Landscape Artist of the Year, it’s not just about copying a pretty scene. It’s about capturing the feeling of a place. Some artists paint what they feel rather than what they see — using bold brushstrokes, color exaggeration, or minimalistic shapes.

That cracked something open for me. Why not apply that same idea to photography? I started shifting my mindset from “documenting a location” to “evoking a mood.” I experimented with contrast, shadows, silhouettes, and even white balance to lean into the emotion of the moment — not just the visual facts.

3. Letting Style Emerge Through Play

One of the most inspiring parts of binge-watching both shows was realizing how wildly different each artist’s interpretation was — even when painting the exact same subject. There’s no “right” way to represent a face or a landscape.

That encouraged me to loosen up. I started experimenting more: using in-camera filters, unusual focal lengths, odd framing, even blurring on purpose. Some shots didn’t work. Some surprised me. But out of that playfulness, I started to see my own photographic style take shape in ways I hadn’t before.

4. From Binge-Watching to Photo-Walking

At one point during a binge session, I paused mid-episode, grabbed my camera, and went for a walk. I wanted to see my surroundings with the eyes of a landscape painter. I noticed how tree branches formed brushstroke-like shapes against the sky, how a puddle reflected light like a glaze of paint.

That one walk turned into a series. And now, any time I feel stuck, I revisit an episode and let it rewire my visual brain. It’s like a creative reset button — one that’s fun, relaxing, and sneakily educational.

Final Thoughts: Your Next Breakthrough Might Be on TV

Sometimes we think creative breakthroughs have to come from epic journeys or deep inner reflection. But sometimes? They come from the couch, snacks in hand, binge-watching British painters stress over oil and acrylic.

So the next time you’re aimlessly scrolling, give Portrait Artist of the Year or Landscape Artist of the Year a try. You might come away with a new appreciation for light, a desire to slow down and observe, or even a fresh direction for your photography.

Because when you binge-watch with a creative eye, you’re not wasting time — you’re feeding your vision.