I am depressed...
I must be the only member here who doesn't have access to things worth photographing.
I have mobility issues although, I push myself daily and am up to most of a mile a day. I do have to use a cane. Due to health issues, I can't drive right now and, I don't have a vehicle.
We do have a municipal park, but it is more of a picnic spot and really isn't scenic.
My Dr. Has told me that most likely I'll be able to drive by Summer of 2020. While I'm happy about that, I hate car shopping. I'm not complaining, mind you, I just miss using my camera. I do thank God for the blessings I do have. Now, I just need to find a local Church that is like the one that I went to as a youngster. I think it's gonna be hard to find.
Anyway, I apologize for rambling on.
Bob
Jay Pat
Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
In the park, ask people if you can take their picture.
Pics of people and their pets.
Street photography.
Visit with people.
Just some ideas.
Hope this helps!!
Pat
No apology needed Bob...ramble on. Sometimes it helps just to say it out loud.
Bob Mevis wrote:
I must be the only member here who doesn't have access to things worth photographing.
I have mobility issues although, I push myself daily and am up to most of a mile a day. I do have to use a cane. Due to health issues, I can't drive right now and, I don't have a vehicle.
We do have a municipal park, but it is more of a picnic spot and really isn't scenic.
My Dr. Has told me that most likely I'll be able to drive by Summer of 2020. While I'm happy about that, I hate car shopping. I'm not complaining, mind you, I just miss using my camera. I do thank God for the blessings I do have. Now, I just need to find a local Church that is like the one that I went to as a youngster. I think it's gonna be hard to find.
Anyway, I apologize for rambling on.
Bob
I must be the only member here who doesn't have ac... (
show quote)
Have you tried macro? There are a lot of folks who do macro inside their home or at least not requiring great landscapes to shoot.
Since it's hard for you to get out maybe this could be the time to look into macro and night photography from your house.
As a photography teacher I usually had an assignment shooting your own backyard (or inside home, etc) Some of the best student work came from that assignment, and it forces you to really look at things. After a rainy night I just did the same thing in my yard yesterday.
Set up a studio in one in your rooms or basement
I understand your slump. As I get older I've worried about not being able to shoot and walk like I could in the past. I think many photographers go through that slump. There have already been some good suggestions here. It involves pushing yourself to move in a different direction even if it's a temporary change.
I just picked up Rick Sammon's book, Photo Therapy Motivation and Wisdom – Discovering the power of pictures. The chapters are short and made to be read in whatever order you choose. Maybe it will give you the push you are looking for.
Happy shooting
Bob: Most of us, at one time or another, have dealt with health issues and the subsequent and consequent limitations. We all feel saddened that one of our own is in the situation in which you find yourself. There is no way we can help you medically; only time, patience, and your medical professionals can do that. Do know that many of us can identify and empathize with what you are experiencing. Personally, I hope you will find some of the suggestions others have made above will prove appealing. They sound well worth considering and maybe trying. Good luck w/ that. In the meantime, hang in there; time will pass and next Spring/Summer will allow you more freedom. It will come.
Chin up. Try to focus on things that you CAN do.
Bob, Sorry to hear that. You have already received some good suggestions and it sounds like things will improve for you. I get a lot of enjoyment just photographing sunsets and cloud formations from my balcony. Also, your positive comments on other people's posts are a valuable contribution. Keep your chin up.
Bob Mevis wrote:
I must be the only member here who doesn't have access to things worth photographing.
I have mobility issues although, I push myself daily and am up to most of a mile a day. I do have to use a cane. Due to health issues, I can't drive right now and, I don't have a vehicle.
We do have a municipal park, but it is more of a picnic spot and really isn't scenic.
My Dr. Has told me that most likely I'll be able to drive by Summer of 2020. While I'm happy about that, I hate car shopping. I'm not complaining, mind you, I just miss using my camera. I do thank God for the blessings I do have. Now, I just need to find a local Church that is like the one that I went to as a youngster. I think it's gonna be hard to find.
Anyway, I apologize for rambling on.
Bob
I must be the only member here who doesn't have ac... (
show quote)
Most of your problems time will take care of. Finding a church that you remember as a child or young adult.Forget about that one.
Bob Mevis wrote:
I must be the only member here who doesn't have access to things worth photographing.
I have mobility issues although, I push myself daily and am up to most of a mile a day. I do have to use a cane. Due to health issues, I can't drive right now and, I don't have a vehicle.
We do have a municipal park, but it is more of a picnic spot and really isn't scenic.
My Dr. Has told me that most likely I'll be able to drive by Summer of 2020. While I'm happy about that, I hate car shopping. I'm not complaining, mind you, I just miss using my camera. I do thank God for the blessings I do have. Now, I just need to find a local Church that is like the one that I went to as a youngster. I think it's gonna be hard to find.
Anyway, I apologize for rambling on.
Bob
I must be the only member here who doesn't have ac... (
show quote)
Start by using a more interesting term than "depression", which sounds so ordinary. Personally I like "ennui." "Melancholia" is a close second. I do not believe there is any environment where you cannot find images to photograph that would capture either "ennui" or "melancholia." Capturing "depression" though would just be .. well .. sad. After capturing a few shots like that your view of your surroundings might change.
Also read the book
"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron (
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPqXpbsiJqqCOSd_1L-8STLGi_-HcQ0jUs2HrXwphYVcdbIvQOZzuOgaAvzKEALw_wcB&hvadid=241953411827&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003957&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2485926443696533637&hvtargid=kwd-468317885&keywords=the+artists%27+way&qid=1573049836&sr=8-1). The exercises can really help you break out of this kind of block. Possibly even better than using $5 words like "ennui" or "melancholia."
Bob, I’m a humanist so won’t go down the god road but do understand how it comforts many people. The reason for entering this conversation is to ask if you are vegan. I suspect not. Now you don’t want to change without some medical advice but eating a plant-based diet, whatever our age or state of health, is a positive step. Forgive me for promoting my own blog but today I published a post called Dogs Are Meat-Eaters and you read it here:
https://learningfromdogs.com/2019/11/06/dogs-meat-eaters/Best wishes, Paul
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.