Reaching a plateau

MadFrankie

MadFrankie

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431
Name
Gary
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,

I've been photographing now for a number of years, and after a 1 year break, have been back using a camera in anger for about 6 months.

The reason for this post is that I fear I'm getting a bit repetitive and so bored with the things I'm doing and photos I'm taking. I live near the New Forest so take a lot of landscape photos and still enjoy nothing better than taking the dog out and finding new things to photo but I don't seem to be improving much more or finding that inspirational scene.

I'm sure there are many out there that have reached this stage, or are at this stage now. What tips can anyone give to break through this stage?

Is it just the time of year, that I need to switch to photographing something else, or what?

:help:
 
I haven't been in photography long but in other areas I've been i I would set challenges, trying to relate that to photography I guess:

Shooting with one lens,
Trying to find a specific colour in a shot
Specific Tree/Mountain Animal
Certain ISO/F Stop
Use lenses you wouldn't normally use.

IE Try something that restricts your use of the camera to set a challenge to make you think further about what your doing with the camera and the shots...

Not sure if that helps at all...
 
I've got a book called '50 projects' and its always good for when I'm a little stuck for ideas with my 365... I can't get to it right now, but when I can I'll post back with the publishers etc so you can have a look! :)
 
I think this is a big problem for many of us who don't do commissioned work - what to photograph?
If you have an existing hobby or interest, then we can photograph that - indeed many members here came to photography by that route.
Sports photographers were into Sports, motoring photographers are into motors...

Find another interest then try and document that...walking the dog in the New Forest is all well and good, but how many photos of dogs pee-ing on trees do we need?

The 'Projects' areas are an ideal source of inspiration.
Or maybe find something totally away from your comfort zone and try to document that...?
 
Humm, thanks guys and gals.

I suppose my other problem is lack of time, by the time I've got home from work and walked the dog, cooked / eaten dinner etc I can't be bothered.

I suppose you're all correct, I need to set some challenges and try something different. As you say, you can only have so many landscape shots. Maybe it's because I don't have the time to get out too far and shoot completely different places so it's got a bit stale.

So, on the subject of something completely different and new, what can anyone suggest to get the juices flowing?
 
Inner-City Drug Dealers and the impact on society...
 
That's a bit too political for a Tuesday morning!
 
Although new to photography, I've decided to do the challenges that are set on here.

i.e Photo52 and the monthly competion.

It helps me learn, and also, allows me to "think" of things to take pictures of. For example, this weeks 52, is chemistry.
 
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