Tommg

I have a saying that I tell myself in situations ... "just do it!", grab your camera and get out there and take some photos, don't overthink, you'll probably be surprised how good it feels.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I do not quite understand why many concentrate on only one hobby.

At that point, in my opinion, photography becomes a chore one can really get tired of. Expand your horizon folks!!!

Bill_de Loc: US

The internet can be a hobby all its own.

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srg

As long as you are alive, you are more energy than matter. Your energy is a tiny splinter of the cosmic energy that some call God. There are many uplifting Utube videos that you could watch. I recommend Brian Scott in particular, but there are many others.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Right but so many pitfalls there for the unwary.

goofybruce

How about grabbing your favorite camera with one, single focal length lens and set out on a walk around your neighborhood.

The goal is to return with ONLY SIX photos from that 45-minute session. The six photos MUST be different subjects, whether the neighbor's barking dog, an interesting cloud formation, or the kids playing in the park.

The other rule is none of the photos can be taken from the same height...in other words you can sit down, stand up, kneel, hold camera up high, put camera on the ground, etc.

One other guideline/rule is you can return to something you saw earlier in the walk, but it must not be the same subject you have already shot in that same walk. (You can't go back to the neighbor's dog who has now stopped barking and is napping on the porch).

Once loaded into the computer, produce TWO different photos from each shot. Quite often you can find more than one "subject" in one original photo that can be isolated in processing or cropping.

Something to get the "creative" juices flowing and to help be observant of what's around... In other words, break the same-ol', same-ol routine.

Tommg

cuse we want to??

MJPerini

While there are times I shoot more and times I shoot less, I never think or worry about 'doldrums'.
I agree with @Larry page that exercises that force it are rarely productive and also that if your interests turn elsewhere, follow them. It is your time and your life.
But I also relate to what @billnikon said because I rarely go a day without making a picture. A satisfying picture is energizing for me. ....as is the act of looking and seeing.
My only advice would be practice what I call 'active looking' .....pictures are everywhere, you do not need a special destination, or pre-conceived ideas about what to shoot. Jay Maisel always says "Go out Empty" because if you are looking for a specific thing, your chances if finding it are slim, if you go out open to what you find, chances are , you will find something unique and interesting.
While I think it is great advice, I have also found that this doesn't work for everyone. If it doesn't work, I do not think you can push it. Photography can be practiced at many levels, some folks need an occasion to pull the camera out. There is nothing wrong with that either.
You can ask the opinions of others and get lots of advice, but none of those people (including me) are you.
Better to ask yourself about how important photography is To You, and what about it draws you in and makes you happy. You may decide that the long layoff was because you were doing other things that you enjoyed more, or "life got in the way" and you had more pressing obligations.
Life is to short not to include time doing things that you really enjoy, don't put pressure on yourself as though photography was something you 'Should' be doing. That never works.
Lots of people enjoy Photography at many different levels, for some it is like breathing, --just part of being who they are, for others it is something they enjoy on holidays and vacations, those and every variation between them are all valid. Do what you really enjoy.
Good luck

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Read the OP's reply to me just above your first comments on page 1.

Larry, you have the unfortunate habit of frequently generalizing (see what I did there?).

My "homework" with Create 52 over much of a three-year period gave me great motivation that I often wouldn't have had otherwise. So, perhaps forced effort doesn't work for you, but certainly might for others.

"Minimally interesting" can be a motivator in itself. If I gave myself a C+ on an assignment, I might go out again to shoot for an A

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Look in the mirror and exclaim, "I'm alive!" Then look out the window and say, "It's a wonderful, interesting world out there." Finally grab your camera and start taking photos of that fascinating world. Good luck and blessings.

P.S. Being down or depressed is no fun. Take a deep breath - and laugh!

MrPhotog

Flowers are patient subjects that lend themselves to an unlimited variety of lighting effects.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

For which I do not apologize. Unfortunately, we live in an age of anonymity and spend our time "talking" to people we do not know. In that environment, I'm afraid that generalization, ugly as it may sound, is all that we honestly have. In a face-to-face discussion with friends that I've known for several years, or even internet acquaintances like yourself, who have shared enough of yourself that allow more specific discussion is possible and desirable. But for more routine contacts, general discussion is all that is honestly possible, other than sharing opinions that no one really cares about.

I am a photographic hobbyist, although it is my good fortune to know a number of serious artists well. These are people who make a living by creating art. We work pretty hard to talk about topics of common interest while respecting our completely different motivations around some of those topics. We don't have fights, and some of us have been really good friends for a number of years. Sometimes we talk very specifically, sometimes we have to talk more generally. We don't all like the same art, but we all like each other. That would be my model for discussions here.

As far as my statement about "minimally interesting," I agree that it may have been a bit harsh. But sometimes a lack of interest can be our brain signaling us that it needs (or wants) a break. Hobbies become fatiguing too. Just like work. And I'll say again that a hobby is not intended to be punishment, nor is it really necessary to try to "prove" anything, at least not in the same sense that one did that during a working career. That's not to say that there is not the opportunjity for deep satisfaction in succeeding at doing a difficult thing well...just that it is OK to take a break every now and then...without guilt.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The OP wrote, "Do you ever get in the doldrums? If so, what do you do to get out of them?"

Responding to that direct question with direct answers seemed a logical choice; however, I understand that is not always the UHH way.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I live between Austin & Bastrop. Kind exhausted prospects in this area. Occasionally go to Smithville to see if they have changed as they provide some interesting options including a photofest on Mains street once a year. (Can be interesting with an old west theme, including models in period attire;check with their chamber of commerce). Hill country around Leakey, Comfort, Kerville area including Lost Maples State Park for the changing of leaf colors in November. They have a website that usually runs a blog on the status of the changing leaves around this time of year.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Jumping Jacks. Lots of them!