I have just been watching the latest video from Thomas Heaton who talks of something similar and had a bit of an epiphany. Whilst some may say set yourself a challenge or learn a new skill, I am going to go against this and say stop trying. What I mean by this is stop looking for pictures and start enjoying what is around you. Like everyone over the years I have hit a number of slumps mainly due to not being happy with my images, this has resulted in purchases because we all know a new lens or camera is what we need right? Either that or setting myself challenges which works for a while, but then something gives or I feel disappointed and the slump sets back in.
I am now enjoying my longest spell without losing my mojo, how have I managed it. Simple. First I decided to isolate myself from the photography world to detox. What I mean is I stopped reading forums, looking at Flickr and posting images, next I focused on what I enjoyed. I just enjoyed being out in the world, going for walks, holidays, spending time with family. All the while having a camera with me, just in case. A lot of times the camera never made it out of the bag, but guess what, I didn’t care. Then something happened I spotted something that caught my eye, out came the camera and I started clicking. These were some of my best pics (in my opinion). What I did next however is what I think made the diffference for me, next time I went out, it was with the same approach, enjoy the world and if it happens it happens. I am now enjoying my photography more than I ever have, I have taken some of my best images. Am I creating the story that everyone is now talking about? No, but guess what, I don’t care. I am happy. My bank manager (wife) is also happy, because is appears to have assuaged my GAS
For me photography is about doing something that makes me happy, not about doing what the industry says we should be doing, after all, it is a hobby. I don’t make money from it. What’s wrong with a photograph simply recording what we see and portray a mood.