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06/19/2007 03:08:32 AM · #1 |
Yes, or so I feel. My interest in Photography is dying. I am taking photographs less often, and rather not satisfied with my work.
Why should this happen after putting in more than 6-7 years in Photography?
Does that happen to you? |
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06/19/2007 03:14:41 AM · #2 |
it usually comes back.
might be a burn-out. |
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06/19/2007 03:24:46 AM · #3 |
| Stick some headphones on, put the camera around your neck, and go for a walk... |
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06/19/2007 03:27:32 AM · #4 |
| It should come back. Life is a series of ups and downs. We all are happy when we are up, then wonder endlessly why we go down to counter the balance of life. Everything has a positive and negative charge and you must be in a negative charge mode. Here try this. Take a picture and work on it for the whole day seeing all the possible things you can do with that one shot. Make a bunch of different processing from the one picture. Just an idea, might get you back on. |
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06/19/2007 03:41:04 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by skylercall:
Stick some headphones on, put the camera around your neck, and go for a walk... |
Now this is some good advise that I should also take seriously.
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06/19/2007 03:58:04 AM · #6 |
it happens to me too. What usually starts it up again is seeing other epeoples amazing work. Why not go and buy the latest photography magazine, or browse some other photographers work on here or other sites?
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06/19/2007 04:30:34 AM · #7 |
Interests often go in phases of strength.
Either let it fade naturally for now and hope it will come back of it's own accord at some point in the future. (Though if it doesn't, one assumes a different interest will have taken over that you enjoy equally).
Or do what some do here and force it a little by engaging in one of the photo a day projects or the like...
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06/19/2007 05:31:12 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
Yes, or so I feel. My interest in Photography is dying. I am taking photographs less often, and rather not satisfied with my work.
Why should this happen after putting in more than 6-7 years in Photography?
Does that happen to you? |
You know what, I do this from time to time..
Ignore challenges, just visit DPC for the forums etc, you find you end up stressing so much about the weekly challenge that you lose the enjoyment factor. Shoot for yourself, not this website.
Maybe take some time to brush up on photoshop skills as well, without being restricted by the rulesets, create some imagery you are pleased with and dont have the `trauma` of watching it get torn to pieces by the voters.
Set yourself challenges, for example "Wildlife", but make it a study where you are not restricted by a 1 week time limit to shoot & submit.
Mayeb though, you just need a rest, photography will always be there, and one day you will get the `urge` to go out and shoot shoot shoot..
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06/19/2007 06:30:17 AM · #9 |
| RA RA I Agree Simms. This website can suck intrest out of you if you let it. |
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06/19/2007 07:41:03 AM · #10 |
I dont often post on the forum here, but I came across this thread and it caught my attention.
I think most photographers go though this from time to time, When I started shooting years ago it was all fun all the time, as I developed my skills as a nature photographer, My work Improved and I set the bar pretty high for myself, I was posting on many sites and even selling a photo from time to time.
I then started to feel like I needed to hit a certain mark with every shot or I would be letting down the people that had boosted my ego via comments etc..
A friend pointed me to this link which i found to be high praise at the
time..
//www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=111747
But I found that from this point on every shot had to be near perfect!
I could not satisfy myself, and found flaws in every shot i took, It really started to feel like work and less of a fun hobby.
I would be out in spots telling myself I need a shot of a certian subject in this lighting with this pose etc..
At this point my intrest was dying and I found myself wanting to shoot less and less..
I did join DPC slightly before this time and though it would motivate me, give me a reason to get out and have fun again, what i found was that, though the challenges can be fun and a motivating factor, to go out and shoot specificlly for a challenge post it, wait for the challeng to begin, then have your work do horrible can actually unmotivate you.
What I learned in all this and has helped me was to realize no matter how good i become, or anyone on this or any site, I will never be the best.
To get back to shooting what Is relaxing and fun to me, dont shoot what you think others want to see or expect of you, but what you want to see and expect from yourself, There is a reason you picked up a camera and started shooting in the first place and you need to get back to that, your love for photography is the best motivation there is, dont turn it into work, If you do then it will feel exactly as so..
And last but not least, teaching others that are not as skilled as you can be really fun and motivating, I have since taken down my website and replace it with a place where Me and some of the people I have tought over the years can post there photos, basically anyone who dosent mind posting the good the bad and everything inbetween are free to join. to see posts shots that make them happy, makes me just as happy!
//www.armaniphotography.com/gallery/
I hope you intrest picks up again very soon!
All my best:
Marcus
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06/19/2007 07:44:56 AM · #11 |
Marcus...that is the best advice anyone could have given. Sometimes life gets so hectic that your thoughts tend to stray to what you think is important...but what turns out to be more for someone else..then what you really want.
What you need to do is do what you love....for yourself...and then let everything else fall into place.
And remember...friends are important in every aspect of your life...not just for being there when YOU need them.
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06/19/2007 08:11:44 AM · #12 |
When I get down like that, I try to go for a drive where I have not been in a while, by myself, and stop as often and as long as I feel like stopping to shoot pics. That seems to be a quick fix for the problem.
An even better solution is to take off for a week or so, and go somewhere far away where you can see fresh places to shoot, and just enjoy shooting anything and everything that gets your attention.
Message edited by author 2007-06-19 08:12:11.
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06/19/2007 08:20:54 AM · #13 |
| Maybe just waning? Youv'e got some excellent work - creativity and emotion. You just need to find the right muse. |
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06/19/2007 08:24:18 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by skylercall:
Stick some headphones on, put the camera around your neck, and go for a walk... |
but my camera doesn't have headphones... :( |
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06/19/2007 08:40:42 AM · #15 |
| My interest hasnt died but ive been take 90% less pictures. Probably something about that girl that used to like me taking pictures moving elsewhere lol. |
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06/19/2007 08:43:49 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Judi:
And remember...friends are important in every aspect of your life...not just for being there when YOU need them. |
Yes I did forget to mention Friends such as you, basically because there are not many Judi's In this world! you have always picked me up when I was in a down time, You have a way of analizing the reasons, though I dont know how, and set me back on course, for this I will always be thankful, I can only hope I have helped you at times and the feeling is mutual, as without you over the years I do think I may have given up Photography and might have lawn bowling as a hobby LOL..
I can only hope the OP has someone like you in there life, A good friend with your understanding can be the biggest motivation in the world! |
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06/19/2007 09:31:18 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by skylercall:
Stick some headphones on, put the camera around your neck, and go for a walk... |
I tried that, but the only place that the jack would plug in the camera was the video output jack. Ouch. : P
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06/19/2007 09:38:21 AM · #18 |
Sometimes I have to step away from the forums, photography sites, and photography magazines in order to remember why I enjoy photography and why I feel it's important. These sources of information, while useful, can often leave you feeling that nothing is good enough. Find a museum or gallery and get up close to some really good photography. Enjoy magazines that feature great photography but are not about photography.
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06/19/2007 10:16:34 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
My interest hasnt died but ive been take 90% less pictures. Probably something about that girl that used to like me taking pictures moving elsewhere lol. |
That injunction she got out against you didnt help much either though.
:)
Message edited by author 2007-06-19 10:16:52. |
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06/19/2007 10:38:30 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
My interest hasnt died but ive been take 90% less pictures. Probably something about that girl that used to like me taking pictures moving elsewhere lol. |
That injunction she got out against you didnt help much either though.
:) |
Yea real cute, nah not quite it was unfortunatly mutual. kick ass person I guess thats why we didnt get along.
Ive always been into taking pictures and video as a form of preserving the past and memories. But with my friends it was always no dont take my picture. And later on their like oh i like that one and that or send me a copy of that video on dvd.
I met courtney after i moved to the eastern shore and we went drinkign and what not. One day shes like you have to take some pictures fo myspace. Next thing i know I have 574 pictures and 5 sets of dead batteries. She made it real fun we even did some film work with my 66 Austin Healey. We moved to baltimore together one day I came home had enough and before I can even open my mouth she let me have it.... Okay well that worked out.
My friend dan once told me if you want to learn portraiture get a girl who will model for you. Guess thats why he is engaged to the girl who models for him lol. Since then I just havent shot much with no vehicle i cant get around and not too many people to shoot.
Message edited by author 2007-06-19 10:38:56. |
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06/19/2007 11:00:30 AM · #21 |
Happens to me with what I do all the time. This is what I do:
Walk away from it. Take up drawing, painting, build a deck, fix an car, build a computer (Hardcore Multi player Gaming never fails me), build a wifi antenna (cantenna), learn to hack, blog, get into bonzi trees, become a master at grilling on the BBQ.
Bottom line do something else that takes up some of your time, Something that will force you to sign up on some forum somewhere because your a noob and need some answers.
Even doing something you love becomes a job after awhile.
If it's over some chick........ your screwed. JK, then it's not photography you lost interest in, it's just that something else has interest over photography.
Good luck. |
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06/19/2007 11:02:12 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by AlexSaberi:
it happens to me too. What usually starts it up again is seeing other epeoples amazing work. Why not go and buy the latest photography magazine, or browse some other photographers work on here or other sites? |
I agree with AlexSaberi. That usually does it for me. I just love looking at others peoples work and looking at photography magazines. This gets me sooo motivated. I just wish I could carry my camera every where just in case an opportunity arises. I am now thinking of getting a point and shoot just to have around in my purse in case an opportunity arises. Hang in there you'll get it back. |
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06/19/2007 11:04:55 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by BeckyT:
Originally posted by AlexSaberi:
it happens to me too. What usually starts it up again is seeing other epeoples amazing work. Why not go and buy the latest photography magazine, or browse some other photographers work on here or other sites? |
I agree with AlexSaberi. That usually does it for me. I just love looking at others peoples work and looking at photography magazines. This gets me sooo motivated. I just wish I could carry my camera every where just in case an opportunity arises. I am now thinking of getting a point and shoot just to have around in my purse in case an opportunity arises. Hang in there you'll get it back. |
Thats what i do but now that i cary a larger P&S i have it in my carry bag and i cant get it out in time. I would not recommend any of the olympus units as i had one and their noise is beyond most brands.
Canon makes a few compacts but id have to recommend a Pentax M10/20/30 as a pocket camera.
I sometimes wish i had a dSLR in my hand at all moments like when my cat curls up or gives that cute look. |
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06/19/2007 11:15:22 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by BeckyT:
I just wish I could carry my camera every where just in case an opportunity arises. I am now thinking of getting a point and shoot just to have around in my purse in case an opportunity arises. Hang in there you'll get it back. |
Make a fun thing out of snapping silly stuff you see in life.
Look around you at a traffic light and point & click:
Document a day in your life. Take a shot of your breakfast, the gloppy toothpaste tube, the neighbor's dog lifting a leg peeing on the car tire, the goofball next to you at the light picking his nose, the car that took up 2 parking spots or the lady with her skirt hanging out her car door.
Life.
It's cool, it's all around you.
Life is waiting for point & click moments, with titled horizons.
Message edited by author 2007-06-20 01:33:44.
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06/19/2007 11:34:09 AM · #25 |
| Is something else taking over? Is there another interest on the horizon? Ia it time to join a rock band instead? |
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