sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Perhaps you may want to explore "tabletop macro photography" as both a pastime and an adventure. It saved me from the winter blues and depression of recent retirement. Close-up photography and macro photography of common things found around the house can provide endless hours and mobility is not an issue.

Things like soap bubbles, oil on water with food coloring, table salt, eye of a needle, water droplets on surfaces, cut flowers, leaves, and on and on. If you have a camera all that remains is a bit of imagination.

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

I so agree with your thoughts. Often at a camera group I am looking at shots from amazing places and all the photos are the same as what we see from the thousands of others who had visited the same spot. They are beautiful but what I call sterile. No creativity, feeling or story. Others I know venture out at night, line up in chairs, preset the camera, wait and then the whole line of folks click their remote and you got it- the milky way. I do respect this, they are enjoying their love of photography in their own way. But what could they do in their own back yard or circle of life? Their very own amazing shot that no one else has captured and THAT is a great feeling. And slow down. Stay in that one spot for 10 minutes. Work it. This past year I went with a group to an amazing mansion with lovely grounds. By noon all had finished shooting and were ready to leave and go to lunch. I stayed behind as I had not nearly covered all there was to shoot. This was also the first photography competition covering photographs taken by visitors in the previous year. I was blessed in winning 1st. and 2nd. in two categories and the Best in Show. The Best in Show photograph I took after all went to lunch.

Oly Guy

Buy some flowers -arrange and shoot them-move them around the house and get different shots-the grocery is the easiest. Do macro and full shots and put them on this site.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

Bob, sometimes the most bland of subjects can turn out very interesting. I once saw a photo of a bucket of nails done in black and white that was an amazing shot. Now if I had seen that bucket of nails I would have passed it up. Making something out of nothing takes a very good eye. Good luck in your quest.

Kozan

gwytlutlu Loc: Tulsa OK

good morning, I do relate to your thoughts but just don't give in to them. I too suffered mobility issues after a pulmonary embolism and heart attack that put me in hospital for over 60 days. I now use a walker to scoot around. That being said it slows you down but doesn't stop your passion or a daily shutter click. You can still go just different and besides maybe this was a way for you to slow down and see more. i.e., if you put up a Christmas tree, the ornaments will give you macro shots. backlight a jar of cats eye marbles. Just don't quit what you want to do, it makes you more miserable. I quit for a number of years because the camera club I usta belong starting telling me what I should shoot and how, forgot I was behind the lens and starting to shoot for "them". Worst reason in the world is to shoot for someone else when you leave yourself out of the equation. Well, get back in the saddle or stay in it, either way you win. Enjoy the day.

griffzky

Bob, while you are waiting for next summer, as many people are, give yourself some photo assignments and try to be creative with them. You are home, so no need to hurry. A photography instructor I once had gave us an assignment of taking an ordinary teacup and putting it in odd situations. You could put water or birdseed in it, put it on a deck or windowsill, and capture the different birds and critters coming to it with your camera. Come up with your own assignments.
You could also revisit some of your old images and try to do different things with them in Photoshop or another editing software. Especially some you may have taken when still using film (if you are a senior citizen like me) and haven't seen in awhile. Put your imagination to work and share what you come up with.
Whatever you come up with, we'd be interested here, communicate as you did today and you won't feel so alone. Keep shooting.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Escape through photography 👍👍👍

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thank you all. I am astounded by the suggestions from all who responded. I will add, that I am a happy person most days. To all with health issues, don't ever, give up.

In the summer of 2000, I wound up in the ICU. I
was told that I would'n't live to see the sun come up. I overheard the nurses saying the Dr. had filled out my death certificate, well, all but the time of death. 2 days later I walked out of the hospital.

5 Years ago I had a major stroke. It took me 8 weeks to teach myself to walk again. Yes, I taught myself. 3 Years ago I died. They revived me.

Again, thank you all.
Bob

kiterwv Loc: Hagerstown, MD

I was once laid up for a period of time. I decided to challenge myself to photograph things around the house. One of my challenges was to photograph a pencil, from many different angles. It turned out to be fun.

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

Volunteer to take pictures at the local animal shelter. Your photo's might make a big difference on them finding a new home.

isthataone

I GET IT!

TO CHEER YOU UP: I USE A SCOOTER OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, A WALKER AT HOME, NO WAY I COULD HAVE MANAGED TO WALK A MILE ANYTIME IN THE LAST 30 YEARS!.

I AM ALSO LIVING ON A TAD MORE THAN $1000. A MONTH.

I HAVE BEEN USING OLD AND MUCH CHEAPER LENSES ON EXTENSION TUBES TO PHOTOGRAPH
BLOSSOMS THRU THEIR LIFE CYCLES.

RIGHT NOW 5 OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE BEING EXHIBITED REGIONALLY IN JURIED EXHIBITS.

THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM TO FIND SUBJECTS AND TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE ART DESPITE A PRETTY WIDE RANGE OF LIMITATIONS.

F.EX I KNOW A PAINTER WHO BECAME LARGELY BLIND W WET MACULAR DEGENERATION AND CONTINUES TO PAINT, EXHIBIT AND SELL. THERE ARE BLIND SCULPTORS, QUADRUPLEGIC PAINTERS, DITTO... AND SO ON.

WHILE OUR LIMITATIONS ARE REAL AND VERY ANNOYING,EXHAUSTING, EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN VERY PAINFUL TOO,... SPIRIT OFTEN FINDS A WAY.

Beenthere

Not to worry, Bob, we all can understand. That being said, you'd be surprised at how photogenic many things can be when taken out of context with their surroundings. Look smaller/closer and you may find a bigger picture. Good luck with your mobility issues, just keep at it.., and I understand completely about the horror of "car shopping."

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Look at it this way: you’ve got six more lives to go!
Have fun...

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I rode a scooter for awhile but, ONE DAY I had to jump it off my sister's car and fried the electrical system, yeah, I know that was wrong. Sometimes I'm to stubborn for my own good.(Sigh)

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

Bob, I have similar mobility problems but without the likelihood that they will improve. I used to focus mostly on scenic photography but have shifted to flowers; efforts to become competent with focus stacking and HDR as well as trying more macro work. I think there are still quite a lot of opportunities for those of us who can't get around as we used to. Just today, my wife is driving me around the city to take pictures of many of the old Craftsman style homes we have in San Diego. There are also a lot of opportunities for good pictures at the beach, etc. I think shifting your focus to getting better at what you can do may help with the depression. Just my two cents.
Scotty