x2 Subject in one thread

[Steve_o]

Just looking to get a general opinion from everyone really, so here's 2 questions for our experienced amongst us.

1. I assuming photography is a hobby for everyone on the forum even if you do make money from it. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

2. Have you created a portfolio for fun? Not in the same vein as a product for someone but mainly for yourself.

 

[vetonbike]

Spent appoximatly 40 years as a jobbing photographer. Now retired. So shot different subjects all the time. Never one subjest so often that it or I had chance to get stale.
All my photos constitute my portfolio. I would pick those that suited the requirments of the client. Or for my own enjoyment.

 

[Nod]

1. Yup, I'm a pure amateur, although I may have profitted from it a few times - not cash but have been "paid" in coffee (not a euphemism!) and many drinks. I have been given cash a few times but only costs, not profit.

2. Photographer's block? Can't say I've ever suffered, although I did have quite a long break from serious (SLR) photography for most of the '80s and 1/2 the '90s. Biking with camping gear left little space for cameras & lenses, so at best, I had a basic compact with me. Still got some cracking shots, although most have been lost during house and flat moves - there's often been a severe lack of space.

 

[Pookeyhead]

1. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

Look at images... lots of them. Watch movies... I get a lot of inspiration from movies.

I'm not talking about copying stuff here... I'm talking about getting inspired.

 

[Steve_o]

Look at images... lots of them. Watch movies... I get a lot of inspiration from movies.

I'm not talking about copying stuff here... I'm talking about getting inspired.

I see, I never condone copying someone else's image. It seems like an easy way out

 

[joxby]

Just looking to get a general opinion from everyone really, so here's 2 questions for our experienced amongst us.

1. I assuming photography is a hobby for everyone on the forum even if you do make money from it. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

2. Have you created a portfolio for fun? Not in the same vein as a product for someone but mainly for yourself.

I think your assumption in point 1 that all pro's also consider their photography to also be a hobby maybe a bit wayward.
I'm sure they get the block every once in a while but not in the same way somebody who was shooting for themselves would.
I'm sure they have also experimented with portfolio material but I doubt it was never influenced by money.
I know lots of pro's that would not shoot nothing unless they were being paid to, it just would not occur to them to shoot for fun, the fun bit is making money.
You could put up a poll and see how many full time pro's shoot for the hell of it, which is essentially why a hobbiest shoots, but I reckon if they were perfectly honest, very few shoot for love.

 

[Iris]

1. I assuming photography is a hobby for everyone on the forum even if you do make money from it. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

Yep, right now, I am going to dig out my film camera and go for a walk

2. Have you created a portfolio for fun? Not in the same vein as a product for someone but mainly for yourself.

Yep but my mum stole it

 

[Jayst84]

1. I assuming photography is a hobby for everyone on the forum even if you do make money from it. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

Hobby and work for me. Have creative blocks all the time, get around it by carrying on shooting.

2. Have you created a portfolio for fun? Not in the same vein as a product for someone but mainly for yourself.

Don't think so. Wouldn't see the point, I know what pictures I've taken.

Look at images... lots of them. Watch movies... I get a lot of inspiration from movies.

I'm not talking about copying stuff here... I'm talking about getting inspired.

Or, depending on the person, stop looking at other people's work, and just go out and shoot for yourself, shoot what you want, how you want.

I think your assumption in point 1 that all pro's also consider their photography to also be a hobby maybe a bit wayward.
I'm sure they get the block every once in a while but not in the same way somebody who was shooting for themselves would.
I'm sure they have also experimented with portfolio material but I doubt it was never influenced by money.
I know lots of pro's that would not shoot nothing unless they were being paid to, it just would not occur to them to shoot for fun, the fun bit is making money.
You could put up a poll and see how many full time pro's shoot for the hell of it, which is essentially why a hobbiest shoots, but I reckon if they were perfectly honest, very few shoot for love.

I know plenty who shoot for the love of it outside of work. Do know a few for whom it is purely a job though, and like you say, won't touch a camera unless someone's paying them for it.

 

[Steve_o]

I think your assumption in point 1 that all pro's also consider their photography to also be a hobby maybe a bit wayward.
I'm sure they get the block every once in a while but not in the same way somebody who was shooting for themselves would.
I'm sure they have also experimented with portfolio material but I doubt it was never influenced by money.
I know lots of pro's that would not shoot nothing unless they were being paid to, it just would not occur to them to shoot for fun, the fun bit is making money.
You could put up a poll and see how many full time pro's shoot for the hell of it, which is essentially why a hobbiest shoots, but I reckon if they were perfectly honest, very few shoot for love.

By all means I'm not disagreeing with you but I find that hard to comprehend. Especially when it comes to something like photography, sure it's a job for some people, but I can't imagine anyone not taking it up if they didn't get some enjoyment from it.

Although on the flip side I wouldn't actively seek people on the street to advise them on certain matters (which is part of my day job. lol)

Don't think so. Wouldn't see the point, I know what pictures I've taken.

Ha, I see where you are coming from. I just mean to have your pictures placed in a different format. Instead of (like me) just being sat in a folder on your laptop.

 

[DemiLion]

1. Yes frequently, but I work through it. The blocks are mainly caused by trying to find a fresh approach to a shoot rather than going for a cliched image.

2. A portfolio is my CV, ergo it's not for fun!

You could put up a poll and see how many full time pro's shoot for the hell of it, which is essentially why a hobbiest shoots, but I reckon if they were perfectly honest, very few shoot for love.

You're joking aren't you? Any pro that's any good has to love photography, otherwise they are just a photocopier.

My job is also my hobby, I just shoot different genres and subjects.

 

[Dexy101]

Just looking to get a general opinion from everyone really, so here's 2 questions for our experienced amongst us.

1. I assuming photography is a hobby for everyone on the forum even if you do make money from it. So is there ever a time when you experience photographer's block? If yes, how did you get around it?

2. Have you created a portfolio for fun? Not in the same vein as a product for someone but mainly for yourself.

1. Yeah all the time and its so annoying, the only time i ever have good ideas is when im stuck out on a rig in the North Sea. But on that basis, theres always something new in the post when i get home to try out

2. Ive never created anything like a portfolio, yes i have Flickr and 500px but thats as far as i go, im happy with loads of views