Uninspired - do I need a new camera?

Flash In The Pan

Flash In The Pan

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I just can't find any motivation to actually take any pictures at the moment, would a new camera (without changing brands ;)) make the blindest bit of difference?

Convince me......either way ;)
 
New kit is always fun but I find better inspiration by looking to other photographers. I always find watching or reading stuff by Joe McNally to be incredibly inspiring but that said I'm an easily led kinda guy.

Equipment wise I think you'd have to go down a different route to find something genuinely engaging - perhaps Lomo, medium format etc, doesn't have to be expensive just "different"...
 
Go for it, why would you need any excuse to buy a new camera ? I already have my D200 which does everything I want plus my backup camera and I am buying a new one :) Unless of course you bought some new glass, holds its value better too......
 
:)i second looking at other photographers - really good source of motivation: browsing through just thinking damn! one day il take photos as good as these
 
cowasaki said:
Go for it, why would you need any excuse to buy a new camera ? I already have my D200 which does everything I want plus my backup camera and I am buying a new one :) Unless of course you bought some new glass, holds its value better too......
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Because the next step up is a D700,but I'd rather have a D3....

I already have two recently-bought lenses that have hardly been used, in fact one has only been out the box to check it was okay,it's not even been on a camera yet and I've had it for about 6 weeks :shake:
 
Whilst I see nothing wrong with upgrading for whatever reason, I can't see why you'd be more inspired to take more pictures just because you had a new camera.

I'm having a bit of a lull at the moment even though I've just bought a new camera.

It'll pass.
 
Definitely recommend looking at other photographers, both historic and contemporary, although I do like the notion of new equipment, always works for me!
 
you could give me some of your kit if you were getting a new one, just so you don't take up too much space... ;)

i'd go with the lomo route, something a bit different from the norm may spark some interest again
 
hyakuhei said:
New kit is always fun but I find better inspiration by looking to other photographers. I always find watching or reading stuff by Joe McNally to be incredibly inspiring but that said I'm an easily led kinda guy.

Equipment wise I think you'd have to go down a different route to find something genuinely engaging - perhaps Lomo, medium format etc, doesn't have to be expensive just "different"...
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Ahh...yes, I have a pile of 35mm cameras that I keep telling myself I'll use, ain't going to happen though :lol:

fallen_mathi said:
:)i second looking at other photographers - really good source of motivation: browsing through just thinking damn! one day il take photos as good as these
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Tbh, I do that, Joe McNally, Dustin Diaz etc, I have the gear, I have the lighting diagrams, I know I can take the shots, yet here I sit...:shrug:

onefunkypenguin said:
you could give me some of your kit if you were getting a new one, just so you don't take up too much space... ;)

i'd go with the lomo route, something a bit different from the norm may spark some interest again
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You'd only end up selling me my own kit back later on :lol:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Because the next step up is a D700,but I'd rather have a D3....
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:plusone:

I am currently saving up for a FF camera and would love the D3 but the D700 will have to do :)

By the time I can afford it though its replacement a D700x/D800 with 18Mpx should be out!
 
ha ha, true. what can i say? i change my mind way too much!

got myself a voigtlander TLR for some 'fun' photography over summer before college.
 
what about a new bag or something cheaper, would be an insentive to play but not a couplea grand.....

or going to shoot something you've never shot before?
 
How about a new lens? Something you haven't got.. not sure what you have, but perhaps get a fish eye lens or a macro lens, perhaps hire a tilt shift lens for a few days. Look at your photos and find something you haven't done before but that's accessible and doesn't take too much effort or gear to achieve, or something that doesn't necessarily need gear to achieve but loads of confidence and a new way of thinking about photography. I know what you mean about losing inspiration. I find it happens and then something will come along and kick you into action.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I just can't find any motivation to actually take any pictures at the moment, would a new camera (without changing brands ;)) make the blindest bit of difference?

Convince me......either way ;)
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Yes. You definitely need new camera. I've no doubts about it. Go and buy one as soon as possible - preferably right now. The hell with the expense/"a craftsman's only as good as his tools"/"what's wrong with your old camera?"/"make the most of what you already have"/etc.
Don't listen to the naysayers. Just go and buy that new camera; therein lies the route to happiness - and well you know it.



(That the sort of response you're looking for? :D )
 
My guess is that the lack of motivation isn't just limited to taking pictures, but it is a frame of mind that is probably brought about by something else. Maybe it is your lifestyle that needs changing, or your job, or your location.

I don't think changing cameras is the answer.
 
Yeah, get a pet or get a project. I set myself the task of putting together an architectural portfolio over the summer months when the light is good enough to shoot buildings in and around Manchester. The rest of the time it's just grey and dull. Oh wait, that's today!

So I'm shooting not just building exteriors but interiors too. I took a trip to Manchester Cathedral, all vertical pillars and wonky horizontals. Canon Bob very kindly lent me a tilt shift so that brought a new element to what I've been doing too. It's a genre I've not had a lot of experience with so I'm exploring it in my own way.

It's easier to sit and read and write about it on t'internet than it is to get up and do it though.

Now switch off the computer and move your botty. :D
 
Maybe you need to give yourself a focus (pardon the pun) as many have said, take some inspiration from other photographers and pick a project with an end goal. having new gear is great but once the novelty has passed you are still holding a body and some glass.

I was in the Tate Modern last year and saw an exhibition of photos of goal posts of the world. A guy had travelled round the world to remote places and each place he had taken a picture of a goal post on a fileld somewhere and written a paragraph about it . I thought it was a novel idea for art and it gave him a purpose, aim, goal (i know another pun) to his photography.
 
:eek: aawwwww, flashy, uninspired.... :shake:



I know, buy yourself a D3x, and a Canon 1dmk...whatever their latest version is, a Sony A900, an Oly E3, and ...oh, maybe a 'blad, [any model quite frankly] and a Leica [ditto the model], then take lots of photos of your new, envy making toys and post them here. :lol:














Edit: oh and in answer to your question, probably not, unless you were planning one anyway, you just need to remember where you left your mojo and go ask for it back ;)
 
take a week without your camera and go on long walks drive around a bit etc, I find when I don't have my camera with me I see loads to photograph :bang:

To be honest I go through poop like this with many parts of my life i.e. I love motor bikes but for the last few months have not had the want to get out on mine, but the need is now starting to return, I am looking for places to visit and fun roads to get me there, I know when I do get out I will enjoy it all the more for having had a break.
 
Buy a D700,use it for a month and then sell it to me very cheaply.

Your soul will then be cleansed and life will be better...............:thumbs:
 
Well, two things here - are you unhappy with your current equipment, or are you just missing the oomph?

Equipment can be a factor in your attitude, if you're not satisfied with it. You can out grow your kit, same with any piece of old equipment (especially if, like many, you're a gadget lover). A new challenge (learning and getting the best from a new camera) can be just the thing to get your motivation going, which can then snowball and you'll find yourself finding inspiration from everywhere.

Lack of oomph - try something new. Get away from your PC. It's far too easy to sit, read and think of things and then never actually do anything. That's also called Internet Addiction - the biggest source of procrastination on this planet :) Limit yourself to time on the PC and get outside with a project as people have mentioned.

Art, nature and films are a great source of inspiration. Try and explore an area of photography that's new to you too.
 
challenge yourself
a friend of mine suggested this.
go out with your camera . shoot in RAW or something and take only a 256 card, and turn off preview
treat it like an film camera and really think about your shots instead of papping away as most digital users now are able to.
 
why not try using a kodak disk camera... I had one back in 1990 too...I'm assuming from your side bit you did too... quite an awful thing... but it was my one and only ever photography competition win... I won it in the evening news photo of edinburgh comp... daft thing was I was using a Pentax k1000 at the time which was far superior anyway! And I was 10! But I often find going back to your routes is the best way to gain inspiration... or try something completely out the box from anything you have done... I think I was a bit like you then I moved from film to digital!

City of culture 1990... Glasgow?!?!
 
Sorry to hear your mojo is a bit down atm. Maybe try some different subject matter from your usual, might give you that wee kickstart you are looking for. Choose a day and head off to the zoo or a local wildlife centre to take some pics, Have a macro day with various objects, go shopping and buy some different foods and give food photography a wee shot, Try a self portrait series in different locations, get your friends with cars to arrange a day/night to get together for a series of car pics somewhere nice.

Sorry for rambling just chucking out some ideas. :thumbs:

Tommy.
 
No you don't need a new Camera you need inspiration and you certainly won't find that in a souless box of technology.
 
Retail therapy good for soul.. bad for marriage. I'm not under the patio yet but my mojo is a bit hidden too at the moment so I've decided to think of a project rather than spending more money and risk death.

Andy
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I just can't find any motivation to actually take any pictures at the moment, would a new camera (without changing brands ;)) make the blindest bit of difference?

Convince me......either way ;)
Click to expand...


yes you need a new camera, give all your equipment to me and i will give you a nikon D70 ;), (sorry not very constructive)
 
Spend the money on a Long Holiday somewhere interesting and different, take your camera kit and come back with enough images to spend the next 6 months in CS4 / Lightroom :D
 
Make an effort to take an image or two for some of the challanges or competitions run on the forum and make a commitment to enter. I found that very useful whilst participating, as it ensured I made the effort.

Have to admit, I am now finding it harder to gain inspiration although that could possibly be due to my current mental state.
 
How about a bit of reverse psychology....if I posted the same question on the forum, what would your response be Flash?
 
sdb123 said:
How about a bit of reverse psychology....if I posted the same question on the forum, what would your response be Flash?
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Ahhh...that's the best response so far :thumbs:

No, I don't need a new camera, or a new lens, what I need is inspiration and motivation......
 
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