Photographer's block ...

[DionM]

I think I have it ... or something worse.

I brought my 20D and a couple of lenses with me this week for work. You know, try a bit of mid-week inspiration after work. Didn't work. I took a few photos but knew they were rubbish and I was just taking photos for the sake of taking photos. My heart wasn't in it. Put the camera away.

I have hundreds of photos from my trip to Germany still to process. Photos that - when I took them - I was over the moon excited with the potential of the images and so happy about what I was capturing. I just can't seem to get into the mood to start editing them.

I have a christening for friend's child to attend this weekend. I can't be bothered even contemplating taking the 20D and 70-200 along, even though this would have been my natural reaction in the past.

Hell, I have a pregnant wife that only a couple of weeks ago I couldn't wait to take photos of. But my heart just isn't in it.

I used to love just taking my rostered day off, jump on a bus with the camera and some lenses ... and go rambling for photo opportunities. I haven't done that in months and don't have any inclination to ...

I regularly drive past a large building in Brisbane they are demolishing and I have special access from my work that means I could get closer and take some great photos. But I don't go and do it ... yet some months ago I would have moved heaven and earth to go do that ...

I look in the Image Reviews section and just get depressed.

Help!

[jethro]

Snap out of it get over it SHOOT!
Jethro

[NikonUser]

I think I have it ... or something worse.

I brought my 20D and a couple of lenses with me this week for work. You know, try a bit of mid-week inspiration after work. Didn't work. I took a few photos but knew they were rubbish and I was just taking photos for the sake of taking photos. My heart wasn't in it. Put the camera away.

I have hundreds of photos from my trip to Germany still to process. Photos that - when I took them - I was over the moon excited with the potential of the images and so happy about what I was capturing. I just can't seem to get into the mood to start editing them.

I have a christening for friend's child to attend this weekend. I can't be bothered even contemplating taking the 20D and 70-200 along, even though this would have been my natural reaction in the past.

Hell, I have a pregnant wife that only a couple of weeks ago I couldn't wait to take photos of. But my heart just isn't in it.

I used to love just taking my rostered day off, jump on a bus with the camera and some lenses ... and go rambling for photo opportunities. I haven't done that in months and don't have any inclination to ...

I regularly drive past a large building in Brisbane they are demolishing and I have special access from my work that means I could get closer and take some great photos. But I don't go and do it ... yet some months ago I would have moved heaven and earth to go do that ...

I look in the Image Reviews section and just get depressed.

Help!

You're not alone!!

I've been the same for about a month.

On my days off I used to jump at the oppertunity to get up at 4:30 and travel for a few hours to go out shooting birds or other wildlife... lately I've just been sleeping in. Last week I went out to take photos of birds but gave up after about an hour. Didn't take a single photo.

I think I'm getting over mine though as this afternoon I had the urge to go out bug hunting in the garden (no luck!)

I think sometimes a break can be good. Try to relax and forget about photography for a while (I took up shooting people in the online game "Battlefield 2" ).

I'm sure it'll come back to you It happens to me every now and again.

Good luck

Paul

[Justin]

Do something different.

Take some macros. Some short depth of field. Some low light.

Or just put the camera on the shelf for a week or two and see what you feel next time you pick it up.

In fact, go outside right now and take 35 photos of the palm tree in the back yard. Try and get something you wouldn't normally shoot and see how it comes.

[99]

I know what will get your blood rushing.....................BUY A NIKON

[admajic]

I know how you feel. But I have the opposite. I go out for the day take say 30 or more pics and then look through them and maybe feel I like 1 or 2 for PP. Just take a break and then you will find you want to get back into it.

[shakey]

I've sent a PM.

[avkomp]

I used to eat and sleep and breathe photography but became photoed out and didnt even touch a camera for over 20years.

when I picked up a camera again it was a digital and I felt I wanted to take pix all the time but felt mindful of what happened before.
these days I go thru stages where I dont take any pix for days or even weeks but it doesnt worry me because I know I can whenever I feel like it.

Often we have other stuff to do and feel no less satisfied in having done that instead of photography.

you will want to do it again and all will be well.

Paul: I know how you feel. I have just gotten over a dose of cold/flu and havent felt like getting up early. It is easier to get up earlier in winter dispite the cold because you dont have to get up so early.
feel I want to go do a few early mornings again soon.

Steve

[greencardigan]

I understand the feeling too. I get it on and off.

Paul uses the same remedy as me.

I took up shooting people in the online game "Battlefield 2"

I find this helps me get over lots of things.

[big pix]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059610 ... 1?n=283155

this might help.........

[obzelite]

I actually find the photographic version of plagiarism helps.

Find some images you like and try to replicate the shots, there’s nothing worse than taking photos and finding u hate them all. Find some photos you like and try to replicate them, once you succeed you will find it feels good to look at your own photo and like it, then you just feel good about taking new stuff.

[gstark]

Dion,

I find the the best cure for this affliction is to go out and spend some money.

Satisfy your lust for a new toy, and then go out - it's playtime!

[Willy wombat]

I have hundreds of photos from my trip to Germany still to process. Photos that - when I took them - I was over the moon excited with the potential of the images and so happy about what I was capturing. I just can't seem to get into the mood to start editing them.

Help!

I had the same problem post South America. 2000 keeper photos that overwhelmed me. I have approached the situation by letting many of them sit there for a rainy day. I pick over them from time to time. I understand the way you are feeling though .

One thing that keeps me fresh is to combine your photography with something else you are interested in. I.e. I like fish tanks and aquaria and have been trying to take more aquariums shots in recent times. Perhaps try to get back into it my participating in the monthly expression session, or by focussing on something new and different. May awaken the sleeping giant?

[sirhc55]

Dion - I look on photography as I look on sex.

Sometimes it’s great and sometimes it’s better to forget. There are times of great abundance and then the times of drought.

But, in the end it’s the memories that are important and at least with photography you have something tangible

[blacknstormy]

Dion - I'm with you at the moment

Sometimes I feel that I take some good photos, and then you see something someone else has done and think 'Nope ... I just take shit' But I know that feeling will pass, and I'll get the bug again _ I'll still take shit, but have fun doing it. I think when my flash turns up, I'll be back into the swing of things .....

But as for the building they are demolishing - you should take some shots, even if just for prosterity - we lose too much of our 'history', and if you have the opportunity, you should embrace it.... and I've seen your photos, you don't take shit !!!!

Hugs, and get snapping
Rel

[Dug]

Dion - I look on photography as I look on sex.

Sometimes it’s great and sometimes it’s better to forget. There are times of great abundance and then the times of drought.

But, in the end it’s the memories that are important and at least with photography you have something tangible

Like sex, sometimes it's great, sometimes its amazing

And sometimes it involves groveling round in the most ridiculous positions imaginable to get a good result!

[CraigVTR]

Dion
I recently returned home from a 6 week overseas trip and took about 4000 shots. Over the last couple of days of the trip I had less and less urge to take photos. In fact on the flight home I had a free upgrade to business class, could not sleep and did not have the will power to take out the camera and get some great shots over the outback.

I know now, after a couple of weeks at home that the lack of desire was because I was tired from all the travel. I now have the urge to pp all the shots and chase more images, but not the time as I have six weeks of paperwork that needs doing.

The urge will come back to you, but sometimes you need a rest and a short change from the usual routine. Good luck.
Craig

[pippin88]

I'm at the same stage.

No desire to go out and take photos.

I've dragged the camera with me a few places and taken a few shots, but nothing new and have had a very poor rate of decent shots.

Was really looking forward to the Stockton shoot today, but unfortunately have had to give it a miss due to a 21st. Took my best photos ever on the last stockton meet.

I also find the images section a bit depressing - "why don't my shots look like that". I know there are very good reasons (partly me not actually being out there taking photos) but it's not fun when the image in your head is not met by what you get when you get home.

I think part of it is new and different priorities for me. And Freecell - I hate that damn game.

I'm trying to slowly get moving on selling a few photos though. I got a bunch printed ages ago at a lab and the colour came out really good. I think they stuffed around with it, and I hadn't been able to reproduce it. I think I've managed to get it now, so I'm happy with that.

[Onyx]

Get a new hobby - something completely unrelated to photography... then, use your camera to capture that new hobby in some way, to either appreciate it more, or to advertise/show off to others.

[tasadam]

Hhmmm. An interesting problem. I have analysed all that has been said and have come to a conclusion.

You need a holiday.

OK Jokes aside (though the holiday may help...), why not sit down and sort your best few hundred photos of all time, and have a slideshow - like a slide night, invite some friends, have some good wine (if you're into that), munchy food like cheese, sundrieds & crackers, and all sit down and watch the slide show. Hoping you've got a big screen to do this with.
Talk about a few of the images with your friends and prompt feedback.
Basically, give yourself a big head.
Not everyone may marvel at every image, but when you can share some of your best images with friends, you may just find that you enjoy the night the most!

Hopefully it will give you some motivation to get the shutter flapping again.

Let us all know how you get on.

[DionM]

I'm slowly getting motivated.

I think there are just too many other things competing for my time and I feel a bit guilty indulging in photography when there are a billion other things.

I am going to order a Spyder to calibrate my monitors, that is one thing that I have been using to procrastinate with (why spend all that time PP'ing if the monitors are 'off'). So maybe that will motivate me

Thanks for the suggestions thus far ...