Getting out of a slump

[JJAMES2U]

Hi I'm new here and I need your take on a situation I'm in. Have you ever had a moment or a slump, where you didn't have the passion for photography? you've heard of writers block; so now i have photo block.There was an excitement about producing and selling that first image that seems to be missing now. if any of you have experience this, I would love to know how you got back on track and got your fire back.

[toverman]

If you are able to put down the camera for awhile and focus on something else, sometimes that works. But I find a simple change of scene, like a quick trip to somewhere I've never been, works well. I take my camera along and only take photos of what I want to. I'm about due for a trip like that.

I'm a professional writer, but have never had writer's block. Photo block seems to happen a lot, though!

[ShaneKislack]

You fear the responsibility of success.

http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Sp...0930364&sr=8-2

[JJAMES2U]

thanks for the info. I've already order the book. look forward to reading it. I think i will take a weekend trip and shoot something fun. thanks again.

[CaptainTom]

I'll put the camera away for a day and clean the house. When I'm done, I'm happy to be back and doing something fun.

p.s. today's the day....

[Big T]

I have left and came back to photography many times, just took about six months off,
seemed like I had taken the same picture a 1000 times at the same places, change places, take a trip, change styles and if nothing else works, you can always buy a new lens or upgrade your gear, that always works for me.

[HotHolly]

That happens when I get bored. Passion goes out the window. I seem to get bored with whatever Im shooting every 6 months, so I swing my work in a new direction. Everything was very dark and dramatic for a while, then it got bright and sunny with lots of sky, then it swung back to being dramatic with a smidge more light on their faces, then I started painting everything, now Im making plastic people for boudoir shoots. Im assuming I'll go back to dark and dramatic soon. Also, I tend to play and try new stuff with models, not clients, to make sure their session doesnt turn out like crap. Find the fun again and you'll be all set. ;o)

[texxter]

The true joy of photography comes from doing it to fulfill one's own need to create, for the sheer pleasure of creating something new. Once photography becomes the vehicle to fullfil someone else's needs ( to record some moment or situation) some of the pleasure of creating images may diminish, as the goal shifts from pleasing oneself, to pleasing someone else. At least that's my experience. In addition, even if we shoot for ourselves, we need to constantly find the motivation to create, the flame doesn't stay alive without encouragement.

For me the excitement and passion for photography gets renewed using these approaches:

• Create images for myself, not just for my clients. One good way to do this is to assign myself a project, perhaps one that takes months to complete, to keep me focused on the creation process.
• Get inspired by looking at photograhs - books, websites, blogs
• Read on photography constantly. Whenever I run across a new intersting idea, I added to my list of things to try and experiment with
• Go to a new place and shoot without an intention or plan. Just being in a different place helps me greatly. It doesn't have to be another city or another country, it could be grabbing a friend or new model and shooting in place I've not been to before.
• Do something I've never done before, perhaps in a completely different area of photography, just for the pleasure of creating, regardless of the outcome. This is the purest expression of the need to create, without any expectation as to the quality or purpose of the results.

Here are two books I purchased last night to help me with the creative process - it's a bit different from getting excited about photography, but it's related:

A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Young

It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's
Best Selling Book by Paul Arden

[kimberley]

when I get into a slump...I borrow a kid, one that takes direction well...and I shoot for me..usually I go with a photog friend..and we have so much fun.....we try out new locations and places.....it usually helps..also when I take workshops or classes it always lights the fire.....

and sometimes one just needs a break..I was in a horrible slump about 2 months ago....now im feelng the fire burning again....

[JJAMES2U]

thank you all. your comment really help and i will explore some of your ideas!..thanks a million

[Jeff Lane]

I'm probably confessing some kind of TPF sin here, but here goes:

I keep a USB jump drive with me for work files, etc., but when I take a break to peruse this forum, no matter what computer I'm using, I plug in the drive. I have a special folder labelled "Envy" where I download pictures that some of you guys have shared here, and that I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I had taken, and that I want to learn to replicate. These are usually pictures that do something I don't know how to do, or reach for a perspective I haven't thought of taking before. I never seem to have a model for any of the "people" shots, and I obviously can't always just hop up and go to Spain or New England (or even Waxahachie), but I use my "Envy" file as an inspiration to make me think about how to get better. I won't ever show these pictures to anyone else (so my copyright violation will carry no real damages, just in case you were planning to file suit), but they really do inspire me to stretch creatively.

[MDteX]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lane

I'm probably confessing some kind of TPF sin here, but here goes:

I keep a USB jump drive with me for work files, etc., but when I take a break to peruse this forum, no matter what computer I'm using, I plug in the drive. I have a special folder labelled "Envy" where I download pictures that some of you guys have shared here, and that I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I had taken, and that I want to learn to replicate. These are usually pictures that do something I don't know how to do, or reach for a perspective I haven't thought of taking before. I never seem to have a model for any of the "people" shots, and I obviously can't always just hop up and go to Spain or New England (or even Waxahachie), but I use my "Envy" file as an inspiration to make me think about how to get better. I won't ever show these pictures to anyone else (so my copyright violation will carry no real damages, just in case you were planning to file suit), but they really do inspire me to stretch creatively.

That's a great idea! I keep a Word document going that I cut and paste links and PP tips to. But it is on the same computer. I think I will adopt your approach. Thanks!

[LadyShutterBug]

you have to find times to schedule "breaks" for yourself, where you do not shoot for work, you shoot for YOU.

for me, it's times when i can slap on the macro lens and go to a new place and find new tiny things. i get a huge bolt of energy-recharge from heading out to the park on a weekday when there's no one else there... and just shooting flowers, bugs, whatever my eyes see. i was out a few weeks ago and found a tiny brand new grasshopper no bigger than my pinky fingernail, and man i talked about that grasshopper for three days (i'm sure my husband was tired of hearing about "tiny grasshoppah" but he humored me).

"The Artist's Way" in an awesome book to read : ) There are lots of very simple statements, even in the beginning of the book, that will make you go "You know, she's right."

As creative people, we make lot of excuses for ourselves. There is something to be said for learning how to juggle responsibility and art, getting past "blocks" (which are all in your mind, and often just excuses you use to rationalize your lack of desire to work on something at that point in time).