DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> I've fallen and I can't get up.
Pages:  
Showing posts 26 - 46 of 46, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 06/15/2007 10:42:08 AM · #26
June - I've been through this phase. As a motivational speaker, all I can recommend is that you follow your first instinct and give it all up. Chuck your camera in the nearest bin, or better still destroy it with a hammer or mallet. Following that I suggest an identity change, shave your hair off and leave town without telling loved ones or those who care about you.

It'll all turn out fine then I reckon, probably.
 06/15/2007 10:52:56 AM · #27
While I think the advice that (nearly) everyone else has given is fine, my suggestion would be to just chill. Give yourself permission to not do photography. Stop thinking about how many days or weeks or months it's been since you've done or wanted to do something and just let it go. I think it's so easy to get wrapped up in the feeling that we need to be doing photography all the time and outputting massive amounts rather than just doing it because we desire to. Leave the equipment in the corner and be fine with not thinking about it. The chances are good that someday, your interest will be renewed. And if it's not, so what? You'll find something else. :)
 06/15/2007 10:53:27 AM · #28
Originally posted by Chiqui:
Originally posted by irisheyes:
Have you thought about joining a local photography club? You may meet new friends.


I did, but we are moving back to the US in September-October so there's no point in it now.

June


June, where are you moving to? Maybe you could spend this time starting to PM DPC'rs in your future area and build up a relationship with them. That way, when you guys move here, you would have built up excitement and a new circle of friends. Then you will have had a break, and will be ready for a photo adventure after your move.
 06/15/2007 11:11:52 AM · #29
Originally posted by WriteHeart:
June, where are you moving to? Maybe you could spend this time starting to PM DPC'rs in your future area and build up a relationship with them. That way, when you guys move here, you would have built up excitement and a new circle of friends. Then you will have had a break, and will be ready for a photo adventure after your move.


great idea!
 06/15/2007 11:51:23 AM · #30
I would bet that my 9 year hiatus (1994-2003) from photography is a bit longer than you are interested in, but I thought I'd mention it to let you know that it's OK to put your camera down for a while.

Personally, I simply burned out professionally as a photographer. I was exhausted from 80+ hour weeks (Full time job + several part time gigs). So, I went back to school and totally focused on that, then on getting started in my new career. It was not until I decided to sell my film gear and buy a Canon G5 in 2003 that I re-discovered how much I enjoy photography for its own sake.

Lately, I've had little interest in shooting and, like you, I felt that I simply didn't want to lug all that gear around. That's not blaming the gear, it's just a symptom of general photographic ennui. So, I went out and bought a much smaller camera (Canon G7) that I can take anywhere to shoot, yet still have nearly all of the control I have with my DSLR if I want. So far, I am enjoying it immensely.

It sounds like you just need to do something to shake up what you're doing and keep photography from becoming a chore.
 06/15/2007 11:56:57 AM · #31
Can't think of anything to add, but here's a BIG HUG!
 06/15/2007 01:02:16 PM · #32
You've got some great pictures in your portfolio. But if you are losing interest in photography I think the worst thing to do would be to force yourself to go out and take pictures. It would just make you dislike it more. Just go out and take pictures when you feel like it, and a more compact, but still capable, camera might be a good idea.
I would recommend you look at other people's work here on DPC and other sites. Look at it just for enjoyable art if nothing else. Chances are you'll get inspired to try a few things similar to what you see here. I have certainly gotten a lot of inspiration from this site that has rekindled my interest in taking more than just snapshots.
 06/15/2007 02:46:58 PM · #33
Originally posted by boyd2000:
You've got some great pictures in your portfolio. But if you are losing interest in photography I think the worst thing to do would be to force yourself to go out and take pictures. It would just make you dislike it more. Just go out and take pictures when you feel like it, and a more compact, but still capable, camera might be a good idea.

This was exactly my initial idea as well ... get a decent P&S and just take it along whenever you go anywhere. Don't go out to take pictures, just go out, and take a picture if you find something interesting; let yourself take simple snapshots and don't worry about every photo being an artistic masterpiece.

Sounds like you need some other activity -- work, volunteering, taking a class are some possibilities -- to fill up your time; your initial statement (and thread title) sound distressingly close to clinical depression.
 06/15/2007 03:01:11 PM · #34
screw it. take jon's advice, or some reasonable facsimile thereof.

there are two types of photography...stuff where the camera documents its travels, and stuff where someone uses the camera to express themselves. i don't believe you can go out and find the magic; i believe the magic comes to you when you're not looking for it.

so go, live, breathe, love, learn, share, whatever, and don't look back. if all that camera ever did in your life was to bring you and manic together, that's probably more than enough.
 06/15/2007 03:04:55 PM · #35
Holga. Lensbaby. Just play with something different for a little while and see how it changes your perspective.
 06/15/2007 04:06:57 PM · #36
Hi,

I was away from photography for 3 years, just got back into it again, I Don't think you should force yourself to do it, when you feel inspired you will want to do it but why pressure yourself, this is supposed to be for enjoyment not out of guilt...

Life has its ups and downs and I think it can be hard to be inspired when life may be on a down..I am not saying you are, but being away from home and having big changes on the way can be quite hard ( I too am moving abroad in 6 weeks time) Just let yourself be and when the time is right you will find a camera in your hand again, until then....
 06/15/2007 04:20:26 PM · #37
I lived in the UK for a year, several years ago, and have regretted not taking more photos of my time there. How about some of us expatriates from London etc. that may want a special photo/requests of a certain area in London and surrounding places? That might give you the initiative to get out there and take photos of required shots?

Just a thought anyway, but I think just adding the 50 mm lens was a good idea.
 06/15/2007 04:37:44 PM · #38
Originally posted by Chiqui:
Originally posted by irisheyes:
Have you thought about joining a local photography club? You may meet new friends.


I did, but we are moving back to the US in September-October so there's no point in it now.

June


Why is there no point? You have two months. One day makes a difference for anything. I feel the same way about carrying my camera around with me, and every time I don't have it I say,"Oh I wish I had my camera". It is all about how you think about it.

Don't think of the carrying the camera and gear around part. If you start to think about it just repeat three times, I love Photography, I love Photography, I love photography, then stop thinking and start moving.

To be prepared and to plan out your best strategy is good and wise but there comes a time when you have to stop thinking and start moving. Not the exact quote but it is from Napoleon Bonaparte.
 06/15/2007 05:25:33 PM · #39
Joking aside, I think you have to find a something mundane or functional to bring it all back. If there is a task perhaps, like shooting some stock images to sell on the libraries perhaps, or finding a reason to do a shoot where there is a deadline and a purpose - maybe that will help.

I felt a bit like this a while back and simply waited until something forced my hand. Some lyrics spring to mind: "don't push it, don't force it, let it happen naturally"... (is that tacky enough?)

Creative work has a habit of biting you like this, but like most art forms, the very gloom you feel may generate some nice photos. Pretend you're Kurt Cobain and shoot what you're thinking without planning it - shoot from the hip, for want of a better cliché.

If that doesn't work then find a hammer or perhaps a mallet...

TTFN
: j
 06/15/2007 05:31:45 PM · #40
Again, thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Imagineer........you're crazy! :P

Skip........that thing about the camera bringing me and Manic together is so sweet I could puke but so true :D

I am not going to force it. I am just going to let things run their course. If it happens it happens and if it doesn't, that's OK too.

Thanks!

June
 06/15/2007 05:38:49 PM · #41
Originally posted by Natasha:
I Don't think you should force yourself to do it, when you feel inspired you will want to do it but why pressure yourself, this is supposed to be for enjoyment not out of guilt...


I agree with this completely. I spent a long time away from photography, even though I started out as a photo major in art school (in fact there were no such thing as digital SLRs when I was studying, to my knowledge). After a while it seemed like it was harder to get all my gear and head out, and I started feeling guilty about not doing something that I felt I saw somewhat good at, but ended up putting my camera down and stepping back from it. After some time, I found myself gravitating back to it, and finally just got a digital SLR to replace my old Canon AE-1 years later, and I'm crazy about it again. I think by trying to get out and force yourself to go take pictures, or try and do some paid shoots or sell to stock photo libraries, you run the risk of making photography seem like a chore, which it shouldn't be. Just give it time.

Sam
 06/15/2007 05:49:52 PM · #42
Bloody hell June, you have just a few short months to get out there and grab images of all the best of the UK. How can you not be running round like crazy snapping everything in sight?

In December when you are back in the US you will be wishing you had used these weeks to record London and the rest of the UK.

Grab a train and head off to the coast for a day or two, get up early and get inspired.
 06/15/2007 05:55:11 PM · #43
June, there's a small, informal GTG going on on Sunday at Kew Gardens. Among the attendees (currently standing at a massive five!) will be Kavey. I know that a GTG was mentioned earlier in the thread and I know the motivational impetus that a GTG can give one.

All are welcome.
 06/15/2007 06:22:24 PM · #44
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
June, there's a small, informal GTG going on on Sunday at Kew Gardens. Among the attendees (currently standing at a massive five!) will be Kavey. I know that a GTG was mentioned earlier in the thread and I know the motivational impetus that a GTG can give one.

All are welcome.


Thanks! Unfortunately, I am working this Sunday. Ironically, I will be photographing a wedding! I sometimes do some freelance work for another photographer and Sunday is one of those days.

June
 06/15/2007 06:43:34 PM · #45
Time to be a point & shoot Tourist.
Take me for a walk around where you live. I haven't been over there in about 29 years.

06/15/2007 08:10:49 PM · #46
I'm having the exact same problem in London too. In the winter my excuse was the cold and the dark, now it's the heat and humidity.

I've planned a photo walk with some friends in a couple of weeks time, hopefully that should help.

However, I think these things are to be expected, I've had slumps before, and I find it best not to worry too much, in the end the desire always comes back, generally after looking through an amazing portfolio.

So the other thing I'd suggest is to go and look at some galleries, the Photographer's Gallery near Cambridge Circus, and there's that 100 years of Britain thing on at the Tate. Not that I've gone in a while, but I promised myself I'd go to the photographer's gallery tomorrow morning and I shall.

No really, I will.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/05/2025 07:22:38 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/05/2025 07:22:38 PM EDT.