Hitting the wall
Jan 19, 2017 08:54:57 #
I have not been at it as long as you but we all get "writers cramp" from time to time. This happened to me recently because of issues unrelated to photography. So I took two photographs I had recently printed (I am an analog guy) from negatives I shot two years ago and entered them into a juried art show here in Arizona. One of the jurors was a Professor from Columbia College in Chicago named Peter LeGrand. What he had to say was inspirational in that he talked about to keep "it fresh" you have to have a goal or end for your work. He explained the best way to do this was to enter your work into shows and competitions not necessarily with the goal to win but to do something with your work. Winning is nice but by entering shows we learn a lot about our own work and get to see and meet other artists. For us analog people that means getting it out of the boxes and you digital people getting it out of your computer files.
Jan 19, 2017 08:55:43 #
Have you tried to go at different times of the day...night time or early morning. Try shooting at a different point of view. Shooting up or down depending on the subject. Good luck.
Jan 19, 2017 09:07:29 #
To paraphrase Renoir, "if it isn't fun I shouldn't think I should be doing it." Unless one is getting paid, images made are for ourselves. Have no problem acknowledging those more skilled. Have full appreciation of the efforts of those less. Have and continue to learn from all. No contest. The images I shoot are mine. Still having fun and when not will stop. Nothing to feel guilty about either way. Hang in there.
Jan 19, 2017 09:17:53 #
Unfortunatley I have the same issue and I live in FL so I get MANY beautiful sunsets and sunrises but I'm just getting bored with them:-(
Jan 19, 2017 09:18:20 #
GAS496 wrote:
I have not been at it as long as you but we all ge... (show quote)
"writer's cramp"? Carpel tunnel syndrome.
Jan 19, 2017 09:27:08 #
wanderingbear
Loc: San Diego
Well 1st you are probably not alone in your thinking. I guess you are about 65 plus and retired. We all hit various walls along the way. I am 85 and try to shoot something every day. From Macro to landscape maybe only a few shots. I can't edit with all this new fangled stuff so try to compose as best as I can. Not preaching or trying to be a Shrink but it is kind of nice to be able to get out like you seem to be able to do. Pick a destination that you have not been to like New Mexico. You as many previous photographer did because of light and subject matter. You probably have snow about now and some people can't wait for the 1st snow and others can't wait for the last one and the birth of spring. I have hooked up with several Camera Groups and they are always coming up with new venues. I don't drive at night so that limits the night photography. Life is kind of like the camera. Life 1 breath at a time. Photography 1 click at a time.
Hope I have not bored you.
Bear
Hope I have not bored you.
Bear
Jan 19, 2017 09:29:09 #
What I am doing is just practicing the basic techniques of photography. Freezing motion or implying motion, isolating a subject or telling a story, front lighting, side lighting, and backlighting. I'm just getting the techniques down so that I'll be ready when that striking image appears.
I've won a few awards in photo competitions. But I never know when I snap the picture whether it will be a winner or not.
I've won a few awards in photo competitions. But I never know when I snap the picture whether it will be a winner or not.
Jan 19, 2017 09:54:39 #
Quite frankly many of the shots on here ARE stale.
oceanarrow wrote:
Hi,been shooting and enjoying photography over 45 ... (show quote)
Jan 19, 2017 09:57:34 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
foathog wrote:
Quite frankly many of the shots on here ARE stale.
Are you kidding? UHH is not a photo contest.
Jan 19, 2017 10:13:13 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
oceanarrow wrote:
Hi,been shooting and enjoying photography over 45 ... (show quote)
Photography has been my passion since 1970s, and never feel boring. I am even loving it more as getting older. It's the one get me going till my day comes! I always have my camera with me where ever I go. It has no limit on photography, I may find and learn or create something new in photography, just keep going and shooting!
Jan 19, 2017 10:25:08 #
Shellback touched on it, documentation and art can be combined. It is nice to have the record of where you have been for future generations, but do it as artistically as possible. Many times my Photo students will tell me that no one will care about their photos in the future, and it's just not true. Someone will want to see those shots that you took the time and trouble to record, after we are long gone.
Jan 19, 2017 10:26:38 #
I am going to suggest another possible reason underline what you are experiencing. Is the feeling that you're having regarding your photography exclusive to that or are you feeling that way in a general sense? Are all activities that you used to enjoy with passion no longer producing the same feelings? If your feelings are unique to photography as opposed to a general feeling of malaise, that's one thing. If that is not the case, then it could be a general state of temporary depression for whatever reason. You may have noticed the symptoms first with your photography as that may have been your primary passion over the years or one of them. I speak from personal experience. Just a thought after looking at your post from a bit different perspective.
Jan 19, 2017 10:29:33 #
leftj wrote:
Are you kidding? UHH is not a photo contest.
No I'm not kidding. He asked why he thought that many of the shots on here were stale. I was just reassuring him that he wasn't exactly wrong. My My My....are we sensitive??
Jan 19, 2017 10:30:05 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
oldtigger wrote:
In todays world where non-artistic, unskilled, welfare recipients can buy high IQ gear
off the shelf at Walmart, on credit, and burst shoot their way into images that go viral;
it is easy to just throw your hands up in disgust
It sometimes seems as though all you can do is dial up auto, hold the button down
and prey for the fickle hand of serendipity to appear.
off the shelf at Walmart, on credit, and burst shoot their way into images that go viral;
it is easy to just throw your hands up in disgust
It sometimes seems as though all you can do is dial up auto, hold the button down
and prey for the fickle hand of serendipity to appear.
Welfare recipients? Ah yes, only the privileged should be able to buy a frill like a camera.
Jan 19, 2017 10:31:21 #
leftj wrote:
Are you kidding? UHH is not a photo contest.
It should have a peanut gallery for fun sharing but it also needs a strong section for competition.
We are fortunate to have several people who invest their time and efforts to keep those sections going.
If you are suffering a slump, enter a contest or two,
learning something tends to invigorate a person.
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