Will someone help me or offer suggestions? I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is...

tommyf Loc: Vero Beach, FL

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tommyf wrote:

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

Join the club! I know what you mean. I'll go shooting, shooting, shooting. Then I stop. Eventually, I'll get an idea for something different to aim at, and I'm off again.

You don't have to keep shooting constantly and turning out masterpieces on a daily basis. The point is to enjoy photography. That enjoyment can come from spending time on UHH, reorganizing and cleaning your equipment, or reading photo mags.

Unless you're a pro, photography shouldn't be a chore.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

<<< formerly MisterWilson)

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You want inspiration? You want motivation?

Here you go ...

http://twistedsifter.com/2013/12/top-100-pictures-of-the-day-for-2013/

Now go forth and push that shutter button.

Scoutman Loc: Orlando, FL

tommyf wrote:

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

Common problem. Could be worse if you had to make your living at it.

Once when I had similar feelings of burn out, I decided to go to the Maine Photographic Workshop. Total immersion in a small group in a new location worked wonders. Not terribly expensive. I had the time - one week - and the argent.

Also: try a book or books. Issues of Aperture can inspire. Libraries, in general, may have a photography collection that could present some new approaches.

One book in particular: "Photo Op: 52 Inspirational Projects for the Adventurous Image-Maker" by Kevin Meredith. Focal Press, 2010, $29.95.

Pawn your camera gear. Pick it up, only when you feel inspired again. There's the added incentive of loosing it.

A self-portrait a day may also help reclaim interest. Shows how you are doing.

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

Join the club! I know what you mean. I'll go shooting, shooting, shooting. Then I stop. Eventually, I'll get an idea for something different to aim at, and I'm off again.

You don't have to keep shooting constantly and turning out masterpieces on a daily basis. The point is to enjoy photography. That enjoyment can come from spending time on UHH, reorganizing and cleaning your equipment, or reading photo mags.

Unless you're a pro, photography shouldn't be a chore.

Well said Jerry!!!. For a variety of reasons, I am stuck not being able to get out and shoot, and really frustrated about it. But every day, I do SOMETHING related to this hobby, like reading UHH, reading an article, working on PP on existing photos, etc..

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Teach a class at your local senior center on how to use a digital camera. And/or one on composition.

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

tommyf wrote:

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

Put limits on yourself. Spend a day committed to only taking shots which include "object X." That might be a bicycle, a woman wearing blue, a fence, a guy wearing a hat (not a cap), etc. Set a limit and see how many you can find.

The limit need not be in subject matter. Spend a day only taking shots at a precisely-specified focal length. 14mm, 300mm, whatever you want. But only that focal length for an entire day and see how it stimulates your creativity. BTW, if you have no prime lens, take a bit of gaffer's tape (or equivalent) and tape the zoom lens to the focal length you've decided upon. (Many variations: only one aperture for the day; only one shutter speed for the day; only portrait/horizontal for the day; only B&W for the day; the possibilities are almost unlimited.)

The key here is to choose your very own "limit," and then live within it, seeing how you can use this so-called limitation to goose up your creative juices.

Bill

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

tommyf wrote:

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

I'm the same way...I get in a slump.

Do you travel?

How about a day trip to some place you normally don't shoot?

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

jerryc41 wrote:

Join the club! I know what you mean. I'll go shooting, shooting, shooting. Then I stop. Eventually, I'll get an idea for something different to aim at, and I'm off again.

You don't have to keep shooting constantly and turning out masterpieces on a daily basis. The point is to enjoy photography. That enjoyment can come from spending time on UHH, reorganizing and cleaning your equipment, or reading photo mags.

Unless you're a pro, photography shouldn't be a chore.

Being and shooting at the right place at the right time.!!!!

busted_shutter

tommyf wrote:

I love photography but lately, I am sitting on my arse and find no inspiration. I am sort of on a hiatus and need to get inspired again. Is this sort of thing common? Any thoughts will be most appreciated....thanks.
www.500pix.com/jtf42

Change your preferred subject. Same with me. Got so into wildlife, was feeling "burnt-out". "PalePictures" actually inspired me to try out portraits. Have a few other change-ups in mind I soon hope to display.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Yup, been there.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

can I suggest several things. shoot subjects you are passionate about, for me its classic cars and neon lights. second buy a copy of LEARNING TO SEE CREATIVELY by Bryan Peterson. excellent author and photographer, this book will kick start your creativity. since reading it I have never had a case of photography block. Most photos are taken at eye level out of sheer laziness. change your perspective. for me when I discovered looking down a whole new world of subjects opened up. Sometimes getting exposed to any form of creativity will jump start the brain. Visit art galleries, museums, murals etc

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

get one or two standby hobbies to break the monotony. it's not good to have all your eggs in one basket.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Join a meetup group who have photography interests. They usually have some nice day trips. Also join a local camera club :-)

davemar Loc: SW France

i changed to digital after developing all my own images in the darkroom etc.
Just couldnt get the same buzz until HDR came along,it gives me greater latitude and a finite control over my images,ime back on the road again,try night photography ,anything that gets the excitement back. Bon Chance