Hitting the photograpy wall no mojo

diviy

diviy

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Name
gerry
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Yes
Since regaing freedom after covid I have just cant get my eye in .
I used to have a love of all types of photography from abstract images to infrared .
I have been out and about but just see anything to take Images I lost my mojo inspiration any ideas how to break the cycle .

Cheers Gerry
 
Same problem here (made worse by lack of time to get out in the first place). Bought some new gear instead o try to kick-start something (Chroma Snapshot)
 
We might be out of lockdown but are still not completely free, and might never be - there's still a shadow over the land. I think this can affect us whether we acknowledge it or not.

There are other, longer term threats of global disruption, too, that make most dabbling with photography small beer. One could ask, in that context, how important each of us piddling about making photographs is?

But the feeling you describe is widespread, and my present answer is to just keep plugging away, hoping to drop into the groove again somehow. I also have my archive to revisit & engage with, and work by others to enjoy. Thus I can be involved with photography without necessarily waving a camera about - I'm not equipment-centric - in fact I view a camera as a flipping nuisance, overall.

;)
 
diviy said:
I lost my mojo inspiration any ideas how to break the cycle .
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The only solution I've ever found is to capture as many images as possible and throw away those you don't like. That's the great advantage of digital: pressing the button costs you nothing but your time.
 
Lindsay's route is a well trodden one that I've nearly followed a few times this past year or so, but none of my previous purchases has ever made me a better photographer. :rolleyes:

The cheaper alternative is to check your kit for a lens or body you haven't used for a while and set yourself the task of using it. This could be a macro, a wideangle or a tele, but just fit it and go looking for something to suit that lens or camera. Autumn colour is also starting to get interesting, so even defocused colour can be worth trying? I'm using old film cameras and have started carrying a pocket digi camera rather than just my phone to help me get back on track, so fingers crossed for you Gerry.
 
diviy said:
I lost my mojo inspiration any ideas how to break the cycle .
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There are loads of ideas and inspirations here

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Forum list

The UK's largest free photography community and discussion forum
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

Failing that browse the various image sharing forums / open threads and see if one catches your eye
 
droj said:
We might be out of lockdown but are still not completely free, and might never be - there's still a shadow over the land. I think this can affect us whether we acknowledge it or not.

There are other, longer term threats of global disruption, too, that make most dabbling with photography small beer. One could ask, in that context, how important each of us piddling about making photographs is?

But the feeling you describe is widespread, and my present answer is to just keep plugging away, hoping to drop into the groove again somehow. I also have my archive to revisit & engage with, and work by others to enjoy. Thus I can be involved with photography without necessarily waving a camera about - I'm not equipment-centric - in fact I view a camera as a flipping nuisance, overall.

;)
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Good post (y)
 
I get the golf clubs or fishing rod out, sooner or later I'll want to get the camera out again instead! That's the advantage of it only being a hobby amongst other hobbies for me.
 
Peter is absolutely right of course, but I'm a terrible dabbler in things so a bit of GAS often works for me as a short term expedient. To be fair, I also bought a 60mm f2.8 Macro lens for the Olympus outfit so as to try a different digital genre too. I find, for me, the more I have going on in parallel, the greater the chance of something hitting the spot.
 
droj said:
...how important each of us piddling about making photographs is?
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I've been asking myself that for over forty years! :D

droj said:
... my present answer is to just keep plugging away, hoping to drop into the groove again somehow.
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That's always been the answer for me. (y)
 
My personal solution is to look at other people's work. Find something that you like. Find something that inspires you. If that doesn't work, look at photographs you've taken before. Recall the moment, recall how you felt. If none of that works, look for photographs that make you think, "I could do better than that!" Failing all that, ask my wife to come around and threaten to sell all your gear and spend the money on handbags and shoes unless you use it.
 
droj said:
There are other, longer term threats of global disruption, too, that make most dabbling with photography small beer. One could ask, in that context, how important each of us piddling about making photographs is?
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I would suggest that "piddling about making photographs" could well be an important coping mechanism for some in these troubling times ... escapism if you like.

As for the original question, Covid forced to a head me selling my heavy kit in favour of really light mirrorless and a change of direction from wildlife to street/candid/walkabout.
I have enjoyed the change and it's also got me out of the car and onto my bike, which is a health bonus.
Moving to Olympus (simple e-m10 Mk2) with its informational EVF and easy aids to manual focusing has been enlightening and helpful ... getting a manual super wide-angle lens has also opened up a different area of possibilities. I still miss wildlife photography a bit but I look forward to going out with my new camera as much as I can. :)
 
Sometimes it's best to just wait until you feels inspired again. I've had breaks where I just didn't have any inkling to take photos, I eventually found my enthusiasm again.
I have a set of primes and often just go out with one of them and capture photos in that focal length, pick a different one each time, a challenge ,like that can inspire you.
 
I lose interest from time to time but it doesn't (usually) worry me. I've been doing it so long now a few months off doesn't harm. In fact it can do the complete opposite - my ideas and thinking change during that time and I may come back with slightly, subtly different motivations and vision.

It's not always necessary to be continually out taking new photos anyway. You can revisit your older work (someone called it "your archive" above) and look at with new eyes. Are there any patterns there that you hadn't noticed before? Can you develop them when you get your mojo back?
 
Consider going out without your camera. Just for a walk locally, or to a nearby park/woodland. When I go out without my camera I am pretty much certain to see something of interest. Consider using your phone to capture ideas for the future.

How about (shameless plug) looking through your back catalogue and considering working with your existing photos to put them into a cohesive set for our zine exchange? It's (probably) too late to go and take photos, but it's not too late to start working on a layout, collating images and building a small project into a finished product. That might inspire some ideas too.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
My problem is worcestershire. So damn boring for landscape photographer and 3 hours + to get anywhere more exciting.
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I know we all sometimes think we live in a boring landscape, but I'm surprised by this. Malvern Hills, Clee Hills (ok maybe slightly Shropshire), Teme valley, especially from Stockton on Teme west to Tenbury
 
lindsay said:
I know we all sometimes think we live in a boring landscape, but I'm surprised by this. Malvern Hills, Clee Hills (ok maybe slightly Shropshire), Teme valley, especially from Stockton on Teme west to Tenbury
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I've been to Malvern hundreds of times. Can't quite justify trips to Shropshire to be honest for what it is. Malvern is great in spring (bluebells) and with some snow. Other than that it is normally a quick trip to fill up water supplies or client work... It really doesn't get even remotely close to Glencoe, Snowdonia, Cornwall, Chamonix apart from the cases mentioned above. It doesn't mean you can't do competition winning entry there but you hopefully get my point.
 
I do indeed get your point. By comparison with your list, it does lack something...
 
diviy said:
any ideas how to break the cycle
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Stop and find something that isn't photography to do for a year or so, give your photography batteries time to charge, you are never going to enjoy something that seems like a chore or something that you are doing out of guilt.
 
I have this problem particularly with ham radio. Currently I'm in an off-the-air cycle, but it'll no doubt come back at some point. Having just taken delivery of my Chroma Snapshot, I feel an urge to do some woodland photography...
 
While I didn't hit a wall or anything, I thought it might take a while getting back to where I was before lockdown. So I created a Flickr album called Scrapbook. Then I just took pictures of anything and everything, no matter how trivial or unimportant, with no idea of creating good pictures. If I saw something that fit into the viewfinder, I'd snap it and upload it, with minimal processing, tagging, etc. There are currently 125 photos in the album, with about the same on my MacBook waiting for me to look at them. I don't feel the need to carry on with this exercise, but I probably will because it helps me choose the good stuff over the mediocre stuff.

It I ever do hit a wall, I'll go back to shooting scraps straight away. Could this help you, Gerry?
 
I don't know what genre of photography you're into Gerry or maybe it's just anything and everything?

One thing I do is combine taking pictures with going for a walk and if something catches my attention I take a picture. When I'm home I set a slideshow going and it's almost like being there again, or at least the slideshow brings back the please of the walk and the things that caught my attention.

Maybe you could carry a camera more whilst you do whatever you do without forcing the photography issue and maybe you'll feel the urge to take some pictures.
 
I am a firm believer that motivation comes from action as much as action comes from motivation. If I wait until I am in the mood for photography I find I can wait a long time, but forcing myself to take photographs usually helps me get my mojo back. Even something as silly as taking photos of the nearest tree and forcing myself to look for interesting or creative compositions. Usually I find I get more excited to take more photos then.
 
woof woof said:
I don't know what genre of photography you're into Gerry or maybe it's just anything and everything?

One thing I do is combine taking pictures with going for a walk and if something catches my attention I take a picture. When I'm home I set a slideshow going and it's almost like being there again, or at least the slideshow brings back the please of the walk and the things that caught my attention.

Maybe you could carry a camera more whilst you do whatever you do without forcing the photography issue and maybe you'll feel the urge to take some pictures.
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I do the same, I always take a camera when walking the dogs, even if its the same location. It's quite surprising how many new things or perspectives you can find to shoot even if you have been there a hundred times.
I usually just take a single prime on the camera and take a different FL each time to vary it, I also shoot film so vary between B&W and colour, there is always something to shoot.
 
Ah, the dreaded wall, we all hit it at some point.

Try the one lens challenge.

or....


Plan a landscape trip, watch the weather, until you get the conditions you want. Then go. If conditions play ball and you get what you're after, you'll be reminded why you do it. (y)
 
Carl Hall said:
Even something as silly as taking photos of the nearest tree and forcing myself to look for interesting or creative compositions
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You see I get bored and fedup with everyday objects. It just reminds me of doing all the same paid work of everyday homes and faces... Not exciting at all! I should have really gone to the Lake district today but in the end couldn't face 9 hours in the car and fuel bill for 500miles all for potentially another failed session. Maybe still time for Snowdonia or Elan valley...
 
There are many many reasons to be depressed these days which obviously affects what we do, or what we don't do
 
droj said:
We might be out of lockdown but are still not completely free, and might never be - there's still a shadow over the land. I think this can affect us whether we acknowledge it or not.

There are other, longer term threats of global disruption, too, that make most dabbling with photography small beer. One could ask, in that context, how important each of us piddling about making photographs is?

But the feeling you describe is widespread, and my present answer is to just keep plugging away, hoping to drop into the groove again somehow. I also have my archive to revisit & engage with, and work by others to enjoy. Thus I can be involved with photography without necessarily waving a camera about - I'm not equipment-centric - in fact I view a camera as a flipping nuisance, overall.

;)
Click to expand...

We are as free or unfree as we permit ourselves to be. The only thing holding us back, is us.

Life is to be lived and enjoyed.

I'm in Spain, lifes too short to not be in nature and the places you love and I'm having the photography high's I've always had. The 645z and D850 have been working overtime as I revisit known angles, find new ones as my "eye" and "style" evolves.

Why, because I set the rules for my life - not others.
 
diviy said:
Since regaing freedom after covid I have just cant get my eye in .
I used to have a love of all types of photography from abstract images to infrared .
I have been out and about but just see anything to take Images I lost my mojo inspiration any ideas how to break the cycle .

Cheers Gerry
Click to expand...
Share your pain. I didnt pick up camera during lockdown and have struggled a bit with motivation since then.

I’ve done the go out with camera and it is ok but more recently trying to get through it i’ve planned some 1 day/ weekend workshops for later this year all the way through to sept next year which has focussed me with some photo trips to new places to look forward to. I’ve also got myself sorted on a week to Harris and Lewis on my own to take photos. Not my first trip there but this will be the 5th try at the same trip as it was pushed back/ cancelled 4 times through lockdowns/ travel restrictions. I think this was a big part of the demotivation as it was helping me get through lockdown with something to look forward to then i stopped rebooking as i couldnt face cancelling again

what i’ve found is that the planning is getting me remotivated as a reminder of why and what i like about photography and i’m going out locally again as a consequence

it can cost a bit of money, i’m lucky i can afford it i know, but the planning for new places , peak district, lakes, northumberland, are something to look forward to. Even if i go and weather/ light is sh*t i can go back. If you cant afford it and want to plan and try a new area post on tp-i honestly believe there are many members who know areas who would meet up, guide and you and try to help get your mojo back. Whether thats an abstract walk in the park, in the brecons or further afield.

hope you work through it
 
LeeRatters said:
I wonder if Gerry has been out taking photos......? :thinking:
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Yes see what you mean Lee but it’s nice to read about what motivates people anyway
For me photography is an extension of my interest in wildlife, I’m into butterflies dragonflies etc so go out to see them and take photos along the way
I’m trying to see and photograph all the UK species, will keep me going for a few years yet
In the winter I switch to going to see big cats at the zoo, so always have something to look forward to
 
LCPete said:
Yes see what you mean Lee but it’s nice to read about what motivates people anyway
For me photography is an extension of my interest in wildlife, I’m into butterflies dragonflies etc so go out to see them and take photos along the way
I’m trying to see and photograph all the UK species, will keep me going for a few years yet
In the winter I switch to going to see big cats at the zoo, so always have something to look forward to
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I don't really suffer from lack of motivation but it will always kick in when I run out of images to edit & upload ;)

I shoot woodlands, landscapes, partner/kids/dog when we have days out, car meets, the old Escort when I drag that out of the lock up, night skies/astro..... Plenty of interest for me & we're often out & about at least one day on weekends anyway so the camera or kit is usually with me.

Clear evening skies - Astro
Fog/Mist/low cloud/light rain - Woodland dog walks
Sunny day - Landscape/beach dog walks/take the Escort out for a drive

Most of my going out & photography is weather dependant & sort of easily goes hand in hand.
 
Thanks all I have been out trying to get some shots taken but just cant see the shots. I dont take a picture just for the sake of it
I am going to get out this week leave all my dslr kit and just carry my EOS M with just the one lens and and not go looking for the shot just and just wait untill the shot comes to me if that makes sense thus taking the pressure off I must get pictures.
Many thanks to all who have taken the time to reply with ideas and advice.

Regards Gerry
 
Nobody has to take pictures unless they're contracted to do so. Yes, just relax into it. If it's any consolation, I often carry a camera without it leaving its bag. It's meant to be an adventure, not a kind of compulsive behaviour. On the other hand, it is possible to cultivate a mindset of visual awarenesss ...
 
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