Been dealing with a lack of motivation to go shoot.....and the strongest part is my disconnect with the outdoors. Appreciation ....I remember what it feels like, but when I go out....I dont seem to have that all encompassing love that really makes me look at the landscape diffrently and extract that little extra that technique alone cant make up for.
It is more like drawing a blank...than not being interested....the wiring is still in place for me to go out and shoot.....and most like my results....some have even been marked still....so I am not really missing in that aspect.
Do any of you go through lulls of your apprecation of being there? Am I the only one that is crazy enough to be (and miss) being totally in love with my world? (never really discussed that with my fellow landscape photographer out there so I dont know how many of you truly feel like that...or dont)
I am guessing that it will just take time and maybe even just putting my gear down and walking the places I love WITHOUT any photographic intent. Maybe batteling it is just making it stronger....and I should surrender for a while and let it go its course.
Ironic it is taking hold of me about the same time my being noticed as a serious local artist is happening......Some would point to that alone as a reason...but I am not feeling any pressure to get any more work done.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.....
Roman
Posted by Mark Hudon on March 10, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I'll be interested in responses because I'm feeling sort of the same way. I've been out four or five times lately but haven't had any real energy to find something and really work it. I'm really feeling that I don't want to do what everyone else is doing, that I really want to do something different and original (I know, I know, but let's not get off Roman's track by exploring "original").
To tell you the truth, I am just so tired of what I've been seeing here and ESS recently. I'm not seeing anything original or even very creative. Lots of nice photos, sure, but nice is not what I want to do.
Anyway... I have to go roast coffee till about two o'clock.
Posted by David Cobb on March 10, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I go through ups and downs Roman and in my 20's gave up photography for a few years. I love flower photography though, and every spring I seem to rejuvinate as the flowers begin to pop, and every spring I try and do something different. If I feel in a bit of a slump, I take that time to organize and prepare for the next burst of energy. This winter I completed entering in Metadata for all my images (thank god that's over). Sometimes when I feel a bit burnt out I may sign up for a workshop, travel, or photograph something I usually don't photograph (details on old building for instance). I like your idea of walking places without the camera too, it allows you to "see" again in a different way.
Thanks for posting this subject, I'm sure every photographer goes through a cycle of some sort.
David M. Cobb
Posted by William Lloyd on March 10, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Photograph something radically different....people, urban, or if it's gotta be nature/landscape, how about doing some macros for a while? Make a project list of 5 things that would be a technical accomplishment for you....mix it up. How about fooling with some faux product shots, or making triptychs of textures, such as fabrics, stone....take the next step into not just capturing what is out there at the best possible time/position, but combining elements or creative effects pre/post processing. Do more with the shots you've got in creative ways, and take a break from shooting. Somethings telling you it's time to move on, perhaps you'll return to the field with new intent after doing something that's very different from your usual.
Do something that's HARD! Easy is boring after a while, no matter how beautiful.
Me, I oughta do the same
Posted by Lance Warley on March 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Ok, here comes the Warley version of Dr. Phil and Gary Zuckoff:
To Roman: I think it's no coincidence that you're being noticed as a serious artist. You may be feeling commoditized.
To Roman and Mark: something is blocking the energy in both of you. Battling it, as Roman says, definitely wont help. Just do other things for awhile. The same-old, same-old boredom comes to me when I'm blocked. Strong physical exercise could help. Get the endorphins flowing.
Eventually, whatever is jamming up both of you will come out of the darkness into your conscious thoughts and you'll be able to deal with it head-on.
End of sermon.
P.S. Easy for me to say, but don't worry about it. I know this because I'm a worrier. Worrying makes it worse.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on March 10, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Sure, Roman, everybody hits a batting slump. The slumping hitters in baseball usually come out in the Spring on a hitting spree. The break does wonders.
Pack up your gear in it's boxes, all of it, and stash it in the closet. Make it really hard to get to (yep, that's a fair amount of tedious work). That way you can't do an impromptu "pull out and shoot" session. Then wait a while. You'll eventually come across several situations where if you had your gear you'd have gotten some great images, and it'll frustrate you to no end because it's all packed away.
When the itch gets to the point where you can't take it anymore, unpack your gear because you'll be rarin' to go.
Posted by Marc Dilley on March 10, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I feel for you guys; I have been there. However, currently I have the opposite problem -I'm totally psyched but have almost no time, and won't until maybe mid to late summer. I've got an old house to remodel, a new house to trim out and landscape, and a day job to tie the loose ends together before I retire in September. I'm staying in touch by logging on here and NPN as often as I can.
I'm sorry about your lack of motivation, if that is the correct diagnosis. I've certainly had my downs in past years, back in the 35mm slide days. My biggest slump followed an approx. 5 year period of very active wildflower macro work. I gave a lot of slide shows to local service clubs, etc. I never sold any prints; after about 5-6 years I had a large catalog of natives, but I wasn't doing anything with the images and my attitude became "What's the point?". I went completely cold turkey on all photography except family shots and candid hiking pix. I took a lot of crummy shots for many years even though I saw some beautiful stuff.
What shook me out of it? Digital photography. I didn't realize it, but I needed a new challenge, and the Digital Revolution provided me with it. I needed to learn about digital cameras for my work as a tech for WSU, and I applied my newly acquired knowledge to purchase a camera for myself. The digital camera + Photoshop gave me creative control that I never thought possible. I was hooked.
Don't know if that helps, but that is my perspective.
I'm going through this right now and I'm finding that photographing stuff that has nothing to do with nature (buildings, people, old cars, etc.) is really helping me to find some mojo. I'm experimenting with some alternative processing too, and that has been a blast. It's forcing me to look at scenes with a new eye and challenging my creativity.
Interesting topic, Roman. Every now and then, I just go out without my gear. It helps me remember why I picked up a camera in the first place. I just go and look and observe, with nothing in mind except appreciation. The first while that I'm out, I try to remember to do the same thing: Appreciate the details in my scenery. The difference in my images tells all.
And if all else fails, ya, go do something else for a while. But set a time line so you come back to the photography.
Just my advice.
Nancy
Posted by Curtis Knight on March 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
A couple years ago, I accidentally stumbled onto something that helped me out of a slump. When my wife and I go hiking together, it drives her nuts to have to stop and wait for me to spend 30 or 40 minutes working a subject I stumble upon along the trail. Well I simply can't hike without my camera. I can go without the tripod once in a while, but leave the camera completely? nope, it just doesn't happen.
So, one day during a creativity slump, I agreed that I would leave the gear in my pack until we reached our destination. This accomplished several things, including, but not limited to the following:
1) Marie and I are able to chat the way we used to before she became a camera widow
2) I am able to make mental notes of ideas for stuff to shoot on the way back.
3) I am able to discover more things on the way up the trail and cull out the lest creative ideas.
4) Marie is able to give me more ideas about what to shoot along the trail.
5) I have more time at the end of the trail to work the real destination of our hike while Marie relaxes with her magazine.
Posted by Adrian Klein on March 10, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Interesting thread here. Good topic Roman. I guess I am lucky that I don't have that issue now. I sometimes get frustrated when I go on an outing or two and get nothing I am happy with but it does not take long for me to want to get back out again. Here are some thoughts I have hopefully folks find this helpful...
1) Bret mentioned this already but people talk about the mix of photographing other subjects for creativity and that cannot be more true I feel. I probably rarely get bored of photography because I am doing many different things from weddings to family wall portraits to fine art nature and more. That may not be your mix, it's your choice to mix it up with what you want to shoot! I also find that what I learn from one type of photography often helps in subtle ways for others. Or it just helps to remove that creativity and motivation brain block that has been building. You can't expect to do the same thing over and over and expect a different or better result. Isn't that insanity!
2) Other photographers, workshops, classes etc. Getting out into the field and photographing with others is important. See what they are doing and vice versa. I must admit I don't get out enough with other nature photographers but I am trying to change that as time allows. I have many relationships with other photographers and it never ceases to amaze me all the little (or big) things I learn from hanging out, watching, shooting, and talking with other photographers. This forum is great but it needs to go beyond an online relationship, so to speak.
3) Take more time just enjoying nature, go with the goal that it's not about the final images. I find as time goes on I tend to photograph less, take less images on trips that is. I still will take a fair number of images of a scene or trip that holds lots of promise but I tend to be more selective than I used to be which in turn has allowed me more time to just enjoy the moments (often with my son or wife) and think more about what to shoot and how.
Posted by David Schoen on March 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Good comments from everyone. Those of us who live in the PNW are also faced with SADD and rain, and clouds, the high price of gas, work, family, the to do list, etc.
Posted by David Schoen on March 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Good comments from everyone. Those of us who live in the PNW are also faced with SADD and rain, and clouds, the high price of gas, work, family, the to do list, etc.
Roman, I think your idea to go enjoy the scenery w/o the camera is a good one. I'm sure the scenery is what got you into landscape photography in the first place. I find I like to put the camera down while I'm shooting and just look at the beauty. It always puts a smile on my face. After all, I'm there to enjoy it.... I just happen to bring a camera along.
Roman, I think your idea to go enjoy the scenery w/o the camera is a good one. I'm sure the scenery is what got you into landscape photography in the first place. I find I like to put the camera down while I'm shooting and just look at the beauty. It always puts a smile on my face. After all, I'm there to enjoy it.... I just happen to bring a camera along.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on March 10, 2008 at 9:22 PM
All, a little twist to this subject, maybe skip over what I wrote above: I'm a bit of a newbie to all this, and I was surprised to read how many of the big hitters (Edge, Dilley, etc) mention that they too were feeling this slump. This may sound weird, but I'm very thankful that so many confessed this, because it's actually an encouragement to know that the best out there goes through dry spells. When you're climbing the ladder of learning, you tend to think the big guns hop out of a tent, hike to the golden sunrise and rip out dozens of great images without a blink. Don't mean to sound weird, hope I'm conveying this right. You may be feeling a slump, but good has come out of it... I know one person here that now feels like achieving great work isn't so out of reach.
If I may add my 2 cents worth, I too, offten find myself in a slump, something like writer's block. What I have found that helps is to change how and what I shoot. I switch back to film and B&W, completely manual exposures ( using hand held light meter) turn everything that is (automatic) off and force myself to think about the total process of "making" not "taking" a photograph. You'll be surprised how this can rekindle the joy and excitement you once felt in the crazy world of photography. Good luck, and KEEP SHOOTING
Posted by Darren White on March 11, 2008 at 12:09 AM
To Mark H.
I know exactly how you feel and at the same time I am limited as to where I can go right now....if you want to do something original, you are gonna need to travel, not the PNW or the SW but I mean like Asia, or Oceania, Greenland, Fishing villages in Alaska, you are gonna have to do some extreme stuff...Digital Photography in a sense has kind of ruined the novelty of seeing good pictures....Everyone has a camera and with so many cameras out there shooting, you are bound to see the same ole stuff........
I have just been out there having a blast and even though its stuff thats been shot a million times before by 100,000 people, I am still having fun.......Next weekend will be a new adventure!!!!!
Roman, We all go through this...I did for almost 3 years......you will snap out of it and when you do you will be all set and ready to go again......let time takes its course on things.....
> ...if you want to do something original, you are gonna need to travel, not the PNW or the
> SW but I mean like Asia, or Oceania, Greenland, Fishing villages in Alaska, you are
> gonna have to do some extreme stuff...
I find the sentiment expressed above very hard to accept. In my opinion, which by the way doesn't amount to much, this is exactly the mind-set that contributes toward non-original photography.
Roman,
Go out and buy the 1dsmkIII for eight grand then you woulld have to make it out there to substantiate your purchase. OK all kidding aside...I would just head out and hike around without any gear (except for maybe a p&s) and just take in the beauty the area has too offer. Soon you'll be saying "geez i wish I had my gear with me". I'm an advid golfer but still get burnt out ocassionally. I'll then take a few weeks off and that cures me. I come back loving it more than ever.
Roman, I'm definitely in your boat right now. I forced myself out today to take advantage of the nice warm overcast and do a little waterfall hunting. I wasn't really sure I wanted to go but I made myself because the weather has been so cooperative and I haven't done anything to take advantage of it. Well, I got to my first destination, thrashed around in the brush for 45 minutes, struck out, then just basically lost ALL motivation I had for the day. I've got 5 days off this coming weekend and I'm hoping that'll recharge me.
Thanks for the great suggestions EVERYONE! Even yesterday I saw great clouds in the horizon and felt the tugs to go out and shoot.....(stuck with my great day job). I have to remember though part of my issue is getting off my diet. Pre-diabetic and have to remember that is part of the mix for my attitude. Get grumpy as my sugar levels go up. Wife has me back on salads and meat...no buns, no starches....attitude improving. Oh....and my boss just approved flex time....which gives me a 3 day weekend every other week for longer excursions. Looking brighter ....thanks again for everyone support and I like the idea of a friendly competition that Curtis reccomended.
Posted by John Williams on March 11, 2008 at 10:21 AM
It's nice to read that most of us experience this! For me, it used to stress me out when my interest in a hobby (not just photography) waned without explanation. Now, I've grown to accept it and just roll with it. I move on to something else until the spark comes back, then jump back in again.
Posted by Marc Dilley on March 11, 2008 at 10:49 AM
A related issue for me - I think this might afflict many in creative fields - is the troubling feeling, which comes and goes in waves, that I'm faking it, that my work is substandard and that sooner or later people will lose respect for my work. Intellectually I suppose I know this isn't true (OK, good people, here's your cue!!!) but that little voice inside that tells me I'm not quite measuring up is one factor that keeps me striving. I am never completely satisfied with ANY final image I crank out of PS, and I always hope that the next one will be just a little better. Being unsure of one's work comes with creativity, if I may be so presumptuous as to suggest that we nature photographers are creative.
Roman, creativity certainly doesn't come in a steady gush, at least in my experience. I think you just need to ride out the "great clouds" (keep the camera ready for the real Great Clouds!) and realize that these too will pass. Regarding your health challenges, everyone is certainly different and must devise their unique workarounds. I feel for ya; I don't have anything that serious, but I get migraines and other issues that I just deal with. Mozart was an alcoholic who composed music in his head and simply wrote the music down in a steady gush. In contrast, Beethoven wrote in fits and starts, writing and rewriting and once scratched out a passage so violently that he broke through the paper. Maybe you're like Beethoven.
if you want to do something original, you are gonna need to travel, not the PNW or the SW but I mean like Asia, or Oceania, Greenland, Fishing villages in Alaska, you are gonna have to do some extreme stuff...
You're not talking "original" here, Darren, you're talking "different". Different is good but it's not original.
This is my experience, Roman: I am dealing with similar symptoms. However, in my case it is caused by several factors. First factor: aging. I am 50 at this moment and I simply have less and less energy to manage my family, work and many necessary responsibilities with my photographic passion.
My family doesn't like outdoors as much as I do, so going outdoors requires lengthy and tiring negotiations with my wife and kids. I kind of manage to go outdoors by myself once a month, but it needs to be planned in advance, and the problem with it is that you simply can't count on the right conditions on that specific planned date. And on the days when conditions are perfect, I can't go because of the family responsibilities. In the long term it is very frustrating and wears me out mentally.
Several years ago I managed to wake up early every other morning and go outdoors before going to the office. I have flexible hours so I could afford to show at work at noon and work late. Or go to work very early so that I can leave early and still have time to go to some attractive nearby location for a photo shoot. It worked well then, but recently my energy is running out because of my age, so I go less and less frequently.
Yes, constant compromising with the daily responsibilities wears you out mentally. To the point that you start questioning the hobby itself.
It's a problem, I admit. If somebody knows a solution to this, please share with me. I will greatly appreciate it...
I just looked at some recent pics on the computer, and I've shot mostly fam-fam stuff since Christmas. Mainly b/c of lack of time. But I do feel a slump, too. Most (possibly all) leads have been dead-ends, my first show was not a money-maker, and I just don't have the time to put into make this a second career job. My wife has been saying lately to shoot what I love, but it's hard for me to put down some serious money into gear when it's a hobby rather than to say, at least, a serious hobby. And, I thought I married a Montana girl who loves hikes and the outdoors, but she's a Montana city girl instead (I hope to hike at least once this year).
So I'm gnashing my teeth waiting for Spring to come to the Gorge. I want to hit as much as possible with my 5D since I haven't hardly used it to its potential.
So, Roman, your slump has a silver lining. Your shots are being recognized, people love them, and only by doing something that interests you will the slump back off. We all have slow downs - use the time to regroup, reenergize yourself, and do something fun that made you enjoy this in the first place.
I plan to check out all the poster prints at ProPhoto at the end of this month. That should get me rearin' to go out, too.
Discussion
26 repliesIt is more like drawing a blank...than not being interested....the wiring is still in place for me to go out and shoot.....and most like my results....some have even been marked still....so I am not really missing in that aspect.
Do any of you go through lulls of your apprecation of being there? Am I the only one that is crazy enough to be (and miss) being totally in love with my world? (never really discussed that with my fellow landscape photographer out there so I dont know how many of you truly feel like that...or dont)
I am guessing that it will just take time and maybe even just putting my gear down and walking the places I love WITHOUT any photographic intent. Maybe batteling it is just making it stronger....and I should surrender for a while and let it go its course.
Ironic it is taking hold of me about the same time my being noticed as a serious local artist is happening......Some would point to that alone as a reason...but I am not feeling any pressure to get any more work done.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.....
Roman
To tell you the truth, I am just so tired of what I've been seeing here and ESS recently. I'm not seeing anything original or even very creative. Lots of nice photos, sure, but nice is not what I want to do.
Anyway... I have to go roast coffee till about two o'clock.
Thanks for posting this subject, I'm sure every photographer goes through a cycle of some sort.
David M. Cobb
Do something that's HARD! Easy is boring after a while, no matter how beautiful.
Me, I oughta do the same
To Roman: I think it's no coincidence that you're being noticed as a serious artist. You may be feeling commoditized.
To Roman and Mark: something is blocking the energy in both of you. Battling it, as Roman says, definitely wont help. Just do other things for awhile. The same-old, same-old boredom comes to me when I'm blocked. Strong physical exercise could help. Get the endorphins flowing.
Eventually, whatever is jamming up both of you will come out of the darkness into your conscious thoughts and you'll be able to deal with it head-on.
End of sermon.
P.S. Easy for me to say, but don't worry about it. I know this because I'm a worrier. Worrying makes it worse.
Pack up your gear in it's boxes, all of it, and stash it in the closet. Make it really hard to get to (yep, that's a fair amount of tedious work). That way you can't do an impromptu "pull out and shoot" session. Then wait a while. You'll eventually come across several situations where if you had your gear you'd have gotten some great images, and it'll frustrate you to no end because it's all packed away.
When the itch gets to the point where you can't take it anymore, unpack your gear because you'll be rarin' to go.
I'm sorry about your lack of motivation, if that is the correct diagnosis. I've certainly had my downs in past years, back in the 35mm slide days. My biggest slump followed an approx. 5 year period of very active wildflower macro work. I gave a lot of slide shows to local service clubs, etc. I never sold any prints; after about 5-6 years I had a large catalog of natives, but I wasn't doing anything with the images and my attitude became "What's the point?". I went completely cold turkey on all photography except family shots and candid hiking pix. I took a lot of crummy shots for many years even though I saw some beautiful stuff.
What shook me out of it? Digital photography. I didn't realize it, but I needed a new challenge, and the Digital Revolution provided me with it. I needed to learn about digital cameras for my work as a tech for WSU, and I applied my newly acquired knowledge to purchase a camera for myself. The digital camera + Photoshop gave me creative control that I never thought possible. I was hooked.
Don't know if that helps, but that is my perspective.
Marc Dilley
And if all else fails, ya, go do something else for a while. But set a time line so you come back to the photography.
Just my advice.
Nancy
So, one day during a creativity slump, I agreed that I would leave the gear in my pack until we reached our destination. This accomplished several things, including, but not limited to the following:
1) Marie and I are able to chat the way we used to before she became a camera widow
2) I am able to make mental notes of ideas for stuff to shoot on the way back.
3) I am able to discover more things on the way up the trail and cull out the lest creative ideas.
4) Marie is able to give me more ideas about what to shoot along the trail.
5) I have more time at the end of the trail to work the real destination of our hike while Marie relaxes with her magazine.
1) Bret mentioned this already but people talk about the mix of photographing other subjects for creativity and that cannot be more true I feel. I probably rarely get bored of photography because I am doing many different things from weddings to family wall portraits to fine art nature and more. That may not be your mix, it's your choice to mix it up with what you want to shoot! I also find that what I learn from one type of photography often helps in subtle ways for others. Or it just helps to remove that creativity and motivation brain block that has been building. You can't expect to do the same thing over and over and expect a different or better result. Isn't that insanity!
2) Other photographers, workshops, classes etc. Getting out into the field and photographing with others is important. See what they are doing and vice versa. I must admit I don't get out enough with other nature photographers but I am trying to change that as time allows. I have many relationships with other photographers and it never ceases to amaze me all the little (or big) things I learn from hanging out, watching, shooting, and talking with other photographers. This forum is great but it needs to go beyond an online relationship, so to speak.
3) Take more time just enjoying nature, go with the goal that it's not about the final images. I find as time goes on I tend to photograph less, take less images on trips that is. I still will take a fair number of images of a scene or trip that holds lots of promise but I tend to be more selective than I used to be which in turn has allowed me more time to just enjoy the moments (often with my son or wife) and think more about what to shoot and how.
I know exactly how you feel and at the same time I am limited as to where I can go right now....if you want to do something original, you are gonna need to travel, not the PNW or the SW but I mean like Asia, or Oceania, Greenland, Fishing villages in Alaska, you are gonna have to do some extreme stuff...Digital Photography in a sense has kind of ruined the novelty of seeing good pictures....Everyone has a camera and with so many cameras out there shooting, you are bound to see the same ole stuff........
I have just been out there having a blast and even though its stuff thats been shot a million times before by 100,000 people, I am still having fun.......Next weekend will be a new adventure!!!!!
Roman, We all go through this...I did for almost 3 years......you will snap out of it and when you do you will be all set and ready to go again......let time takes its course on things.....
> SW but I mean like Asia, or Oceania, Greenland, Fishing villages in Alaska, you are
> gonna have to do some extreme stuff...
I find the sentiment expressed above very hard to accept. In my opinion, which by the way doesn't amount to much, this is exactly the mind-set that contributes toward non-original photography.
Go out and buy the 1dsmkIII for eight grand then you woulld have to make it out there to substantiate your purchase.
Roman, creativity certainly doesn't come in a steady gush, at least in my experience. I think you just need to ride out the "great clouds" (keep the camera ready for the real Great Clouds!) and realize that these too will pass. Regarding your health challenges, everyone is certainly different and must devise their unique workarounds. I feel for ya; I don't have anything that serious, but I get migraines and other issues that I just deal with. Mozart was an alcoholic who composed music in his head and simply wrote the music down in a steady gush. In contrast, Beethoven wrote in fits and starts, writing and rewriting and once scratched out a passage so violently that he broke through the paper. Maybe you're like Beethoven.
Regards,
Marc
You're not talking "original" here, Darren, you're talking "different". Different is good but it's not original.
My family doesn't like outdoors as much as I do, so going outdoors requires lengthy and tiring negotiations with my wife and kids. I kind of manage to go outdoors by myself once a month, but it needs to be planned in advance, and the problem with it is that you simply can't count on the right conditions on that specific planned date. And on the days when conditions are perfect, I can't go because of the family responsibilities. In the long term it is very frustrating and wears me out mentally.
Several years ago I managed to wake up early every other morning and go outdoors before going to the office. I have flexible hours so I could afford to show at work at noon and work late. Or go to work very early so that I can leave early and still have time to go to some attractive nearby location for a photo shoot. It worked well then, but recently my energy is running out because of my age, so I go less and less frequently.
Yes, constant compromising with the daily responsibilities wears you out mentally. To the point that you start questioning the hobby itself.
It's a problem, I admit. If somebody knows a solution to this, please share with me. I will greatly appreciate it...
So I'm gnashing my teeth waiting for Spring to come to the Gorge. I want to hit as much as possible with my 5D since I haven't hardly used it to its potential.
So, Roman, your slump has a silver lining. Your shots are being recognized, people love them, and only by doing something that interests you will the slump back off. We all have slow downs - use the time to regroup, reenergize yourself, and do something fun that made you enjoy this in the first place.
I plan to check out all the poster prints at ProPhoto at the end of this month. That should get me rearin' to go out, too.
Kevin