Lost my love.

woody12

woody12

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Good evening all, really struggling here, after a couple of years of enjoying as a pastime, hobby I have lost my love of taking photos. Does anybody go through periods that they lose inspiration? Really want to go out but keep finding excuses, the weather, the cost of petrol to travel, I've shot my area to death
 
woody12 said:
Good evening all, really struggling here, after a couple of years of enjoying as a pastime, hobby I have lost my love of taking photos. Does anybody go through periods that they lose inspiration? Really want to go out but keep finding excuses, the weather, the cost of petrol to travel, I've shot my area to death
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I go through it all the time.

I always come back to the same thing though and that's shooting what I enjoy rather than shooting for enjoyment - if thatmakes sense.

I'm a documentary photographer at heart so now I'm shooting pics of my wife going through pregnancy. After that it will be my son growing etc etc. I literally can't wait to shoot all of those moments and doubt I'll ever get bored.

Stick me in front of a nice sunset with a tripod and I lose interest very quickly.
 
Thanks and good luck with the birth mate. The real problem is where I live is boring landscape wise, herts. I can't personally stand taking pics of people real turn off and I'm rubbish as a result. Just need to push myself to travel out a bit and put the effort in. Sure once I find the fun of getting out and about my hobby will flourish again.
 
You mention only 2 facets of photography. There are meny more to try. Macro, still life, wildlife, sports, ect just give yourself time. And don't worry about tempory los of inspiration.
 
I reckon everyone gets that feeling every now and then.
It's no big deal, you'll come back to it when you feel like it If you persist, you may end up hating it.

Photography is like reading- there are so many different genres. Maybe find a different one that suits your circumstances?
 
huffy said:
Why not try the TP52 challenge, it would give you a good reason for taking pictures every week. Looking at some of the very clever ideas already posted you would not have to travel outside the home.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...o52-guide-to-threads-useful-links-etc.572935/
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Good advice. This is partly why I've joined in the 52 this time and am really enjoying it so far. If you're making excuses to stay home because you've photographed your neighbourhood/area to death, why not do what I've done and get a light tent (fairly cheap set ups available on ebay) and try some home based stuff ... still life, macro etc. I set mine up on the kitchen table ... doesn't have to be complicated. My last week's 52, for example, was a pic of some sherry glasses which had been hiding in a cupboard for years. But I had great fun trying to light them properly. The week before, it was a cake I had left over from Christmas! You don't have to travel miles or spend fortunes on gear or props.

Try something different. I'm sure you'll get your mojo back soon. Good luck .... ;)
 
You need street photography! Every minute a different scene, don't need to travel far, more about "the photo" rather than best framing, composition etc. Has this ever appealed?
 
Thanks for all the advice,it really helps. Will try the 52week challenge. My wife has subscribed to a black and white mag which I've found inspirational. Just need to feel that buzz again and rush to pick up the camera. It will happen, I just need to let it come after than forcing. Thanks again
 
It happens to me every now and again.

I've not taken my camera out for about 3 weeks now.

It's been that way for 25 years though so I'm relaxed enough to know that something will suddenly spark my enthusiasm.

Don't force it.
 
woody12 said:
I've shot my area to death
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Shoot it to life! :)

Look at it from a different pair of eyes ... what do yuo normally shoot?
Could you tackle it a different way or try a different genre as a challenge?
 
Your right gramps, normally love just getting down to the lake or fields and shooting a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Envious of the rest of the country that they have such beautiful landscapes to shoot. Really would like to have a crack at street photography but so self conscious of the camera with people. I think that's my problem, I worry about things to much. That's why I've stopped posting on Flickr and on here. You've got have a thick skin when your experimenting and trying to be different. Sorry I'm digressing. Just talking has given me the focus to pick up the camera when I'm ready to crack on.
 
woody12 said:
Your right gramps, normally love just getting down to the lake or fields and shooting a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Envious of the rest of the country that they have such beautiful landscapes to shoot. Really would like to have a crack at street photography but so self conscious of the camera with people. I think that's my problem, I worry about things to much. That's why I've stopped posting on Flickr and on here. You've got have a thick skin when your experimenting and trying to be different. Sorry I'm digressing. Just talking has given me the focus to pick up the camera when I'm ready to crack on.
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Street is great for a welcome change ... just go out and have fun.
Don't get in people's faces, stand back ... even use the 'behind the bush' method if it feels easier :D
Anything to get you out and doing something challenging and different.
 
Give it time, inspiration will come to you. I lost heart for about 2 years or so, then suddenly one day last year it came back and now it feels stronger than ever!
 
I find I'm the same with most of my hobbies. I go into them with gusto, spend a fortune on them and then lose interest. :D

My D300 has only just came out of the bag after several years.
 
Thanks for all your help. Reading on facebook about my local town history with photos thought I'll go and shoot my own history for the future generations via the buildings, the people. Gonna to challenge myself by only using one lens my fav 35mm and shooting solely in black and white to give it that gritty urban feel. I'm already out of my comfort zone but looking forward to seeing what I can find. Will post some of the results on here to share.
 
I find going shooting with other people helps you try different things and go different places. They will see your neighbourhood through different eyes. Imagine if some outsider comes along, to your stamping ground, and gets a great picture you were blind to! That might be motivation enough.
 
I had a very flat phase from midsummer onwards. What jolted me out of it was the realisation that I'm not a landscape photographer.

I'm a photographer.

It was a set of fortunate coincidences and unsolicited requests that did the trick. I did a few music shoots (for free; local bands and whatnot - although there might have been a few free pints involved :beer:), some dog portrait work (paid), and recently have been getting into product photography (also paid). Alongside this, I've been revisiting some of my more "traditional" subjects and I've been finding that I have a fresher approach, with satisfying (to me; not sure if others would agree!) results.

One thing I've definitely found: seeing the smiles on someone's face when you hand over the prints of their beloved pooch, and then getting paid for it, is totally worth it.
 
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Last year, I took the same shot on the first Sunday of every month to shoe the different seasons as the year went on. Sods law meant that I missed a couple of months out and that the river (the shots are of a bridge over a weir on the river Exe) was in a similar state of flow at the beginning of every month! Maybe you could do a similar thing, maybe of a favourite tree as it buds, flowers, fruits and drops? I reckon most people have occasional dips in inspiration and motivation.

Maybe even look back at your old shots and see if you can recreate them using any new found knowledge or techniques? Or seek out some old post cards or photos of local towns and villages and try recreating the shots. Carrying some form of camera - even a phone - at all times allows you to catch whatever takes your fancy and maybe plan a "proper" shoot based on any scouting trips, even if they're relatively mundane scenes.
 
Tell me about it. Winter light doesn't help. The weather. Sometimes because, I'm simply not getting out enough, to find subject material. Sometimes because I am not getting enough spare time for myself.

The thing is, it is only an interest - an enthusiastic interest at times, but it isn't always important.

Then you take out a favoured camera, find something interesting, and boom! Rolls of wet film hanging over the bath again.
 
Thanks for all your help, doesn't seem like I'm alone really. I'm really looking forward to walking round my town and going to try to capture something different in my own unique way, and that is what photography really is, looking at the world around you, telling its story in your own unique way, in a way that makes people either smile, cry but mostly grabs their attention and say WOW that guys photography isn't a picture, it's art. Sorry getting carried away, but it's good to be passionate!
 
woody12 said:
Thanks for all your help, doesn't seem like I'm alone really. I'm really looking forward to walking round my town and going to try to capture something different
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I replied earlier but your comment about walking round your town rang true.

Go for a walk without your camera.

Trust me on this one.

Walk about / visit a location and Imagine the things you would photograph.

It's frustrating as hell as you can't shoot but more importantly - it's very liberating.

Enjoy the freedom of no camera with your yes wide open. I find I see more stuff without one.

By the time you get home you will be chomping at the bit to get back out there.
 
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Same here, have been in rut for best part of 6 months photography wise...

Also I don't find the walking round with a camera helps me at all. I really need to have a subject (or sometimes even a technique to improve on) in mind.
 
dinners said:
I replied earlier but your comment about walking round your town rang true.

Go for a walk without your camera.

Trust me on this one.

Walk about / visit a location and Imagine the things you would photograph.

It's frustrating as hell as you can't shoot but more importantly - it's very liberating.

Enjoy the freedom of no camera with your yes wide open. I find I see more stuff without one.

By the time you get home you will be chomping at the bit to get back out there.
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Hi dinners, had this happen to me only just week. Helping my brother-in-law move we had to pick up the lorry from deep in a rural location early on a frosty misty morning. Saw so many shots I was literally gagging and didn't even take my phone, let only a camera! It was beautiful the drive but was annoyed I missed a great opportunity.
 
woody12 said:
Good evening all, really struggling here, after a couple of years of enjoying as a pastime, hobby I have lost my love of taking photos. Does anybody go through periods that they lose inspiration? Really want to go out but keep finding excuses, the weather, the cost of petrol to travel, I've shot my area to death
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I sort of get disheartened sometimes... Finding time to take pictures is one issue for me and another is the light when I do and often it seems that when I have the time I don't have the light. There's the option of sitting in PS and trying to make a flat shot interesting but that can be done to death... and there's the option of trying to make a flat shot interesting with close shooting, perspective and angle etc.

What keeps me going is when time and light and subject eventually combine or when I get a keeper on a flat lifeless day like today was.

Hang in there and stick at it mate for the times when it does all come together and you think... YES! :D
 
woody12 said:
Good evening all, really struggling here, after a couple of years of enjoying as a pastime, hobby I have lost my love of taking photos. Does anybody go through periods that they lose inspiration? Really want to go out but keep finding excuses, the weather, the cost of petrol to travel, I've shot my area to death
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Well and truly. Same with my fishing. Sometime a lose my interest but it always comes back.

Find another hobby and I bet within no time you'll be taking photos of your new hobby :)
 
Sort of, I'm back in the UK now so the only thing I take pictures of is my girlfriend. Nothing seems interesting to photograph over here. I'm thinking of taking a day trip to London soon to do some street photography. Just take your camera everywhere you go :).
 
I know the feeling. I am just getting back in to photography. I did a degree in it and graduated in 2012. After that I fell of the map and had no interest whatsoever in picking up a camera.
I felt like I had used up all my passion and I struggled to see myself coming back.
Recently though I've been enjoying it again and actually wanting to go out and start shooting. Sometimes we all need a break from things. Sometimes the best thing to do is not to fight it.
 
woody12 said:
Your right gramps, normally love just getting down to the lake or fields and shooting a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Envious of the rest of the country that they have such beautiful landscapes to shoot.
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Not all of us do. I don't have the sea, mountains, lakes etc. It's pretty flat and lacks much natural beauty. I'm still out shooting 2-3 times a week. Sure you feel like you've shot it all to death, but I can guarantee you haven't. Try and focus within 30 miles of home, not knowing your car stats but working on an average 30mpg a round trip should be no more than £10. We've all lost enthusiasm mate, but if landscapes is what you enjoy you need to force yourself into the field again. Get up early, stay up late, go out in crap weather, try black and white photography. Save up a few quid and go for a 1-2-1 with someone who inspires you, maybe that will give you the kick to see a mundane location in a new light. You'll get it back mate. Have a look local, find someone to shoot with. I shoot regularly with someone who lives in Hertfordshire, and there's some great locations in the area.
 
woody12 said:
Good evening all, really struggling here, after a couple of years of enjoying as a pastime, hobby I have lost my love of taking photos. Does anybody go through periods that they lose inspiration? Really want to go out but keep finding excuses, the weather, the cost of petrol to travel, I've shot my area to death
Click to expand...

Maybe that's the issue. You've just run out of reasons to shoot because you've run out of things to point your camera at by merely wandering around looking for photographs.

The cure for this is project based work. Find a story in the community... document something. Step outside of photography for a while and stop thinking of object and scenes to photograph, and start thinking of stories to photograph.

I've just finished a project and book based around the efforts of a local railway society to restore an old station and branch line. I've no real interest in railways... but I immersed myself in their world.. joined the society. I spent 3 weeks just painting woodwork and replacing old railway sleepers before I even picked up a camera. I knew nothing about any of this when I started... I had no idea of the difference in bullhead or flat bottomed rail... I had no idea about the history of British branch lines or the Beeching report etc.. I had no idea about the local and national significance of this stretch of line... nothing. I've learned a massive amount in a short space of time, and it was rewarding.. plus I became embedded in their lives, got to know them, and when I started shooting, they didn't even ask what I was doing.

It was a great project.


Try something like that?
 
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I spent a fortune on this hobby but sold up in 2011 due to months of feeling uninspired plus I went through a long term relationship break up and decded I had enough and sold all the kit.
I've recently aquired a basic DSLR and kit lens and although I haven't done much recently, I'm certainly going to get out and about with once spring arrives.
Coming back on here and looking at other peoples photos has inspired me and I am now kicking myself for selling up.
Depending where you live in Herts there are some nice places and also in Bucks as well, I often drove to both counties when I lived in North London, as an example this is a nice place to visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate
I remember being nervous about doing street photography but after going to a few meets in London with some great people from here I soon found the confidence to get into it.
As ianp5a said, meeting up with other photographers is a good idea as well, chances are there are members on here from you area, have a browse in the meeting section on here and also on the thread for google maps where a lot of people have put their location.
Perhaps you could also organise a meet, I did one in St. Albans a few years ago and we had quite a few turn up.
 
Another way to find your mojo again, especially if people aren't your thing is to just go somewhere very different from where you usually go. I don't necessarily mean distance... I mean the type of place. That way you're considering new things and new ideas photographically.
 
Just a suggestion, but have you considered coming along to a meet? - I find shooting with other photographers very inspirational.
 
Hi Paul
Its been said by many here it does happen to most of us from time to time, I too live in Hertfordshire and it is a beautiful county but for some reason I cannot find any inspiration here either
Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, North Wales, Scotland, all more my cup of tea, having said that don't give up try something different something outside your comfort zone, I intend to try street soon
the thought of which fills me with dread as I am not a people person at all.
There are some very good suggestions on this thread I'm sure you will find something to try.

Regards Bob
 
I get it quite often, just normally take a break and plan where/what id might like to shoot. Hopefully trying new ideas and places this year.
 
I also lose interest from time to time, I think it's quite natural.

Not wishing to upset any of the '52' folks, but don't you find that you're just taking photos for the sake of it, with no real inspiration?
 
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