In need of some motivation

Hey all!

I haven't been participating much lately but am starting to get the itch again. This is the first shot I have taken since January. I have taken my camera for a walk a few times but just didn't have the urge to get it out, o-well happens to everyone I guess. Anyways, this is a shot of Umstead State Park here in Raleigh. Not a great image but I am trying to jump start my creativity and with what I have seen lately here everyone has stepped up a notch! Comments and critiques always welcome and appreciated.

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Hey Eic,
I sent you an email response for this :-)

I think your right Eric, everybody goes through dry spells some longer than others. It'll come back!!

I think I'm going through one giant dry spell! I get out shooting occasionally, but not as much as I'd like. A new location, or a new technique, sometimes gets you jump-started. Try working on some black and white images, or photos of old buildings, abstracts, or macro. I like this image, it has some nice graphic lines in the branches. I might be tempted to crop the top so it's almost a square... the lines on the bottom are my favorite.

This may be trite, but try taking your camera where ever you go for awhile. I bet you have seen things that would have been great images, but had no camera. Then, use it!! Easy to say, eh? I carry my bag with camera and several lenses where ever I go. Sometimes I force myself to take it out and shoot something. Other times, the object is too good NOT to shoot and there the camera is, just a few feet away. I agree with the above, maybe shoot something totally different from what you use to shoot and maybe the magic will come jumping back. Luck!!

Troup

I am in the same boat. In the last year and a half I have taken a new job, promotion and juggled my two kid's activities schedule. My only shots have been of my kids soccer and swimming. Just lately I have found myself with "the bug" and have started experimenting with old exposures to create HDR images. The next step is getting my rear out the door with my camera and without my family for some shutter time. Any RDU area photogs ready to do a day trip? Jack? Bill? Matthew? or others?

Scott, I'm on my way to Michigan's Upper Penninsula (leaving July 4th) and will be gone until July 15th. I'd certainly be up for a day trip when I return.

Scott,

I'd be up for a trip to Weymouth or to the Jordan Lake cliffs with the RTP area contingent. . .

I am up for a dawn patrol day trip somewhere.

Bill,
Your are killing me. It has been 2 years since I've been back to Michigan. Our family cottage up there is for sale. Too much $$ upkeep with all branches of the family now living in the South or West. Have a grate trip

Scott
Good to hear from you. I may be able to do something this weekend, but after that, my weekends are taken until the end of July.

Jack

Scott, wish you could join me. We'll be in Newberry. I'm pulling my travel trailer to a campground up there. My two sons own twenty acres and a summer cottage near there and we are going up to visit them and see the grandchildren. I plan to visit Seney NWR and several other places in the area.

Hi Jack,
Can't do this weekend. Getting over severe bronchitis. I could do either next Sunday or almost any Saturday/Sunday after that.