Rustybucket Loc: England

Hi Hoggers,

Can you help me.

I've been going through a tough patch with depression There, if actually said it! and seem to have lost my inspiration and drive to either take or "make" images. Has anyone out there ever experienced the same thing? My thought processes are all over the place and I can't seem to focus them. I'm not much of a photographer in the sense that I "take" good photos but if I was lucky enough to have a photo "speak" to me I would get the urge to "make" a better image from it. I'd love to see some of you Hoggers favourite work and know what inspired you to take it in the first place and then "make" it portray your inner thoughts. I just know that some of you will have had Eureka moments at some time and I'd love to see and hear about them. I'm hoping it will bring back the memories of why I was drawn to photography in the first place. All the picture I've posted have been produced over the last 15 years but nothing from the last 2 years. I'm hope that your stories can inspire me and give the the prod I need. Thank you in advance.

I'll start the ball rolling with this dog portrait. it was originally a shot of the whole dog but the eyes were so soulful that I was compelled to crop it tightly and give the coat a sketchy treatment in CS3. If anyone is interested in the "how", I cropped and saved the picture then re-opened it in PS. Created a new filled gray layer on top then went to work with the Art History Brush. This brush acts like a Clone brush (cloning your base layer but adds an art texture at the same time.

I'll appreciate any examples of your own images and thoughts behind them

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

For me, it's just the opposite. Seeing perfect photos gets me depressed because I don't take perfect photos. But that's life. I enjoy what I do, and I'm always learning about photography and processing. I enjoy learning about my camera and trying something different. Occasionally, I'll go through a photo book or watch something about photography on YouTube.

Rustybucket Loc: England

Jerry.... Thanks for your input. Seems like I'm not the only photographer nut with a hang up. It must come with the territory. Knowing what our hang-ups are and learning how to dance round them can only be a good thing.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Sometimes the best way to deal with a 'block' is to get away from what you've been doing, do something else. For creative people, this means instead of photography, try to write a story. Try drawing or painting. Don't even think about photography.

OR assign yourself a project in photography in an area that's completely new for you. Instead of portraits and photoshop, do landscapes for a while. Try doing night shots, or astrophotography. Or enter the world of macro photography. Anything to keep it fresh, gain a different perspective, until you're ready to return to the area you like best.

Or buy/rent a new camera or lens. Sometimes that will stimulate you to approach your subjects with a new feeling of confidence.

Sorry to hear you've had a rough time, but doing something fresh and untried might help give you that push to overcome the depression and lift your spirits again. Best of luck, and I love the shot you posted here.

Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

Rustybucket, I assure you, you are not alone...

This is a photo I took a couple months ago.. Very early morning, the air was extremely still and a dead silence in the air. I felt like I was the last person on earth.. Then I walked upon this shot.. I slowly changed my lens to my 300mm.. I started to focus in, just then behind me I heard a voice, it was a man that said "I will wait right here until you finish because my dog will scare him".. I thought how many people would be that considerate and show appreciation for what I was trying to do.. So, for that reason alone this shot is a reminder of the goodness in people and makes it special to me.. I don't think I thanked him enough, because he was gone the moment I said "I got it"...

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

The love of the outdoors and God's critters makes it easy to keep clicking away. Just look into their eyes and you will see how special they are. :thumbup:

Rustybucket Loc: England

Travesty.... A truly special, atmospheric shot and a wonderful description of your feelings at the time. Although photography is usually a solitary pursuit it's always helpful to remember the whys and wherefores of the event. Now I think back...I've had the same consideration from strangers along the way. It's these little things I have forgotten. It's really all the small moments that build the landscape of your life. Thanks for the reminder

Rustybucket Loc: England

Thanks Chewy. You are so right...and you certainly looked right into the eye of this little critter...AND... he looked right back at you. Nice one.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Unless we keep clicking, many great moments will be lost. Thank you

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I sometimes suffer from seasonal affective disorder in the winter when there are long stretches without sun. I was driving one morning trying to find clear patches from heavy fog that had blanketed the area for days when this sight suddenly presented itself.

Being out in the beauty of nature can be nourishment for the soul even if you don't take a picture. I'm not religious but sometimes feel a spiritual connection to nature and wildlife.

(btw, I posted this shot on the critique/analysis section and several people aided with pp; however this is my original shot)

Thinking of you, rustybucket - wishing you all the best.

Wendy2 Loc: California

At the time I saw this scene, I was somewhat dumbfounded! I love Monet and there was a Monet, right before my eyes at the Japanese Gardens. It truly looked like this...all I had to do was take the shot. It was very exciting to see that I had captured what I saw. I have shown it to others that had 'lost their way' and it helped them wake up a bit and say, "Wow, you have given me new enthusiasm!" BUT, it was not just the photo, it was my excitement while telling the story.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

Rather than repeat what others have commented, e.g. Treepusher, Travesty, I will simply add -- just stick with it, bear with yourself and there will be better days.
Ignore the negative commentators and spend a lot of time viewing and studying the images by shooters that grab your attention. Comment to them that you like their photo(s). It's also a wonderful way to learn and it's inspiring.
In other words do anything that is positive. Creating in a negative environment is just about impossible.

Pierre

Rustybucket Loc: England

chewy.....You certainly didn't lose this moment. Super detail right across the image. The fungi on the left is a real center of interest and the ducks just happened by at an opportune moment. Great shot. Like the framing too.

Rustybucket Loc: England

Hi Linda...I love misty scenes and this one's no exception. Glad the mist cleared enough to see the wolf. I'd love to see a PP version if you still have it. Thanks so much for posting

Here's a picture of a little boat in the middle of a little tidal stream (basically a muddy puddle) I added the mist, the reeds and the heron to make it a little more picturesque. Sorry I haven't got the original boat pic to send :-(. My memory is atrocious for fogive me if I've already posted this.

JoboX Loc: Liverpool UK

Rustybucket

I'm going through the same although in a different area of my life... I have used photography to kick start my recovery and it has helped immensely in getting me out of the house feeling sorry for myself... I set myself small goals ( go out and take a shot of a building etc) and have started to increase the exposure to situations I would shy away from... I went on medication and now feel I have got through the worst thanks to my photography.... This picture was the catalyst for recovery and the time I spent processing it was my rehabilitation.... Breathe deep and long get out the house with a goal and watch the change take place slowly at first then as you hit each goal it gets better... From someone who has been there..

Head up and your first targeted goal is a building then post it... regardless of how it turns out.