In a rut.

Dionysus

I'm sure others have been through this. I feel like I've photographed the hell out of everything around me, and like I've tried every approach, and there's nothing new I can do with it.

How did you guys overcome this? Coming here and viewing everyones work helps a lot...it gives me a fresh perspective, but it's hard to translate that onto the field.

ront

Dionysus wrote:

I'm sure others have been through this. I feel like I've photographed the hell out of everything around me, and like I've tried every approach, and there's nothing new I can do with it.

How did you guys overcome this? Coming here and viewing everyones work helps a lot...it gives me a fresh perspective, but it's hard to translate that onto the field.

I don't really have any assistance to help you, but just wanted to say that I just looked at some of your photos on Flickr and you have some awesome pics there.
A friend of mine wrote this article a while back for a site that I frequent. Maybe some help in it.
http://www.todaysphoto.org/articles/getting-your-focus-back.html

Ron

DonRicklin

Dionysus wrote:

I'm sure others have been through this. I feel like I've photographed the hell out of everything around me, and like I've tried every approach, and there's nothing new I can do with it.

How did you guys overcome this? Coming here and viewing everyones work helps a lot...it gives me a fresh perspective, but it's hard to translate that onto the field.

You might try going here, The Mindful Eye, Daily Critique and watching some of Craig Tanners' critiques. he talks about this often.

There are also the chalenges as well as his Next Step Workshop, which is, in great part, expressly about issues like this. I have not taken one of his workshops, myself, and though I have followed his critiques for years, Iam not directly associated with the MIndful Eye. But do mention me, if you hook-up with them. I had an image critiqued once (See my blog).

Don

Dionysus

thanks guys i appreciate it! ill check out that site.

schmoo

Hi Clay,

I totally hear ya and I feel kind of that way too. I found the best thing is to not push it, just keep looking at threads on Dgrin and other sites to get inspired, and of course to keep your eyes peeled to the world around you. Hang in there!

(I moved this thread to Big Picture too, btw)

catspaw

*raises hand*

HUGE rut right now. I feel like I've reached the peak of my abilities -- although I know that's a HUGE lie. However, the motivation to get out and capture what's out there .... meh. I think we all go through these phases. Earlier this year I was VERY gung-ho and learning tons and in spite of some MAJOR let downs from other sources/people, I solidered onward.

It definitely depends a lot on what else is going on in your life, a least for me personally. At least I've a wedding to shoot this weekend (for a friend, not the OP but for FUN, yay!) and some other things that I think will revitalize.

Another thing is to find a local photography club -- around here there are outings and while I haven't been able to join in yet (time conflicts), I think being around that many other photographers in interesting areas will kick me out of that rut. Definitely look into it!

DonRicklin

catspaw wrote:

*raises hand*

HUGE rut right now. I feel like I've reached the peak of my abilities -- although I know that's a HUGE lie. However, the motivation to get out and capture what's out there .... meh. I think we all go through these phases. Earlier this year I was VERY gung-ho and learning tons and in spite of some MAJOR let downs from other sources/people, I solidered onward.

It definitely depends a lot on what else is going on in your life, a least for me personally. At least I've a wedding to shoot this weekend (for a friend, not the OP but for FUN, yay!) and some other things that I think will revitalize.

Another thing is to find a local photography club -- around here there are outings and while I haven't been able to join in yet (time conflicts), I think being around that many other photographers in interesting areas will kick me out of that rut. Definitely look into it!

On the ' local photography club' front try Meetup.com and search for a photography meet-up or two close to you. I belong to two (active in one).



Don

Dionysus

thanks guys...im hoping with fall here again, that I can be inspired to wander the woods again like I did last year. I was VERY gung ho until about 4 months ago..then its just like I'm doing the same thing over and over again. I guess it doesnt help that most of my photography is country related, since there arent many cities to speak of close to me. The closest being Ithaca, but that's more like an oversized town than a city, when speaking of urban photography.

Maybe I should take a daytrip to NYC or something, to photograph the crap out of it, and it might light that spark again.

Thanks everyone for identifying with my problem, and for your suggestions.

Kinkajou

Also, you could try just working on some new technique. For example, decide that you're going to shoot the same prime lens at only one aperture - something crazy like 1.4 or 22 - for two weeks, or decide that you're only going to do long exposure for a week, or only night shots, or only creative shots of your toothbrush... It might force you to encounter something you had never thought about and renew some inspiration.

I do agree that the challenges keep you thinking and force you to be creative. The folks there are always willing to help you along and to provide ideas on how to improve the shot.

Or, maybe this is the time to work on your PP skills. Decide to learn to do something that you've been putting off for a while if you just don't feel like shooting. Go crazy in Photoshop (or whatever SW you might have) and figure out how to do something ridiculous, and then show us all later so that we can bow to you and your PP skilz.