Lastcastmike

You have to keep swinging(shooting). Eventually you’ll find one - a photo - that renews you’re passion. Don’t give up. You just need a couple of good shots to get back on track.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

While I do understand the not taking photos for a while in your case I can't imagine any loss of confidence. This one photograph shows your ability as a photographer to take a great and interesting photograph. May I suggest perhaps just the doldrums of Winter's end and going into Spring are affecting you as they affect us all. I sometimes get those feelings of just not wanting to do something. First of all, it is alright to have those feelings. Next on the list is to actually get out whether you want to or not and take a camera with you. You don't need any specific plans of photographing anything at all but leave yourself open to the anything that might come along. Be ready to look elsewhere than your normal photographic opportunities. Look at architecture, take a look at tiny bugs, weeds perhaps. Some of the tiniest weeds are very beautiful. They get care and attention from nobody but God and yet there they are. Whatever you do, just get out there and DO.

I wish you well,

Dennis

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

A precious shot years ago & the kind that will continue to gain heart warming value with age!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great capture, Pico.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Like you I have been rather lax and lackadaisical regarding my photography for the past couple of years. Perhaps some of mine has been that just before the pandemic started my wife and I had been on a couple of trips when I had taken a significant number of photos. With the onset of the pandemic we self isolated and I took very few pics. My interest waned excessively.

More recently, I have been feeling the draw of the out of doors and the improving weather has piqued my interest in photography and getting out on my motorcycle. Yesterday was an excellent day for me in that I and a friend went on a guided hike and saw an eagles nest. We both got some shots of one eagle in the nest and some others of the mate flying around and perched in a tree nearby. All in all it was a good day. Photography, exercise (walked more than I had in probably a month), and friendship along with conversation with several others having similar interests.

Thank you for posting your thoughts and helping me see why I may not be doing those things I wish, and want, to do. I feel much better and look forward to getting out more to enjoy friends, nature and all the beautiful things in the world. Your post has been helpful to at least one person and I hope my response will be a little help for you to return to your former self and go take some pictures. You posted a great indication of your ability. May you go forth (or even fifth) and enjoy photographing your world as you see fit.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Hi Pico. You say that you are finding it more difficult to enjoy your hobby lately. People have made well meaning suggestions about going out with your camera and just shooting thing you find interesting with no pressure to produce superior results. My advice is for you to have your camera nearby when you go out for those times when you see something that you would kick yourself for not having your camera on hand. But I don't think that you should be going out to purposely take photographs. Why put that pressue on yourself? Instead I would urge you to get out and about and interact with other folks. A compliment and a kind word only costs a nickel for the person giving it, but can have immeasureably worth to the person receiving it. I don't know where you live, but there are places where it is more difficult to strike of conversations than it is here, but interacting with others is good. When you help others feel better, you will also help yourself feel better. Each of our home lives are different. If you have family and enjoy being around them continue to include them in your life, but if not, then limit your time with them. After all we only have so much time on this orb to be spending it with people who make us miserable. If you have friends, get together with them. There is nothing quite so soul satisfying as breaking bread with people you hold dear. And finally if there is a possibility that your slump is coming from medical depression, then an open and frank discussion with your primary caretaker would be in order
There are those who believe that when you achieve better results with your photography, you will have your problems solved. I think there is more to it than that. I think when you feel better about yourself, you will feel better about not only your photography but about the rest of your life. Good luck with all of this. I think that in these modern times where the world is joined closer than ever electronically, we are more isolated than ever as individuals. But here on UHH, you have people from across the country and beyond who are sincerely concerned about you and want you to pull out of your slump.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Excellent photo! There is beauty (and interest) in almost everything, if you just look close enough! Hoping you find your inspiration/motivation soon. One of the most inspiring things I do, is use my photos as the desktop of my computer, changing every MINUTE (and there are thousands)!

lwiley Loc: Los Banos, CA, USA

Great Memory Photo!

What is it with toddlers around water, they always wind up with wet bottoms!

pico

Thank you! It is nice to see you have experienced the same. I started my love for photography way back in high school when I had a Brownie camera with a flashbulbs unit. I was destined to be the yearbook photographer in my senior year but could not master the old-fashion (now) graphics camera. I guess that was my first "failure!" I am now trying to "master" my D7200. I never realized the emotional impact one has when it comes to photography.

pico

Thanks! I like taking photos of the little guys who are not intimated by cameras.

SENSORLOUPE

Really great photo!

pico

Thanks for the encouragement. It is nice to read that I am not alone with the challenges of seeking enjoyment from a creative hobby. I have been looking at my last photos. It was during some more friendly times in a relationship with the camera. It is time for me to return to that time.

pico

Thank you.

pico

I appreciate your helpful thoughts and kind words. Your response means a great deal to me (and maybe others as well). There is great satisfaction in enjoying photography. I am learning there is no perfect shot but many to choose from is a good option. The challenge is not letting anyone damper your desire and satisfaction.

pico

Thank you for your response and thoughts. Since I have posted my dilemma, I am feeling more comfortable returning to my relationship with the camera. I've come to realize that photography has many elements and not only technical. Your thoughts support the emotional aspect of the hobby which turns out to add another dimension to embracing creativity.