How to regain interest in photography? Suggestions welcome…
I’ve really lost my interest in my photography over the last year.
I don’t really know why this is but I think it may have something to do with the sheer volume of creative photography on Flickr.
The more photographs I’ve seen of everything from capturing the beautiful in a really outstanding way, to artistic interpretation of rust, decaying wood, decaying buildings, architecture, creative use of focus…everything just leaves me cold now. The only work I really was excited by was that where the photographer practically creates something new with available subjects like this but now I don’t get much of a reaction from that either now.
Anyway. I don’t think the photographs are bad, I think something’s happened to my brain to turn me off.
I am looking for a way back in. Something to reinvigorate my enthusiasm for photography. I do not want to take interpretations of things, or beautiful shots. So I’m wondering how to do something without too much thought. Maybe take reportage style photos (totally different to the kind of artistic stuff I traditionally took)? Maybe engage camera without engaging brain.
I’m genuinely looking for a technique or approach which doesn’t require me to think too much to start with. The thinking seems to turn me off. Your ideas would be most welcome.
January 21st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think you should relax, and not worry about lenses and light when you are out, and just take ‘snaps’ as such
March 1st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Hi,
yeah – I’ve been through many ‘come-backs’, not just with photography – painting as well. (Currently finding it hard to motivate myself to touch anything digital – shame it’s my job!
)… I don’t even have an SLR – just a Sony P120.
I’m by no means a good photographer, I like pretty much all your Flickr stuff BTW, you have a good eye (or two
I agree with Raspberry… once I started taking it all too serious, and scolding scolding myself for ‘bad’ shots I started to get down and no longer enjoyed it… I’ve recently started painting again and after about 9 months of not really bothering with the camera took it out for a walk with one of the kids… some of the shots were pretty good.
More relaxation – less personal beratement – more enjoyment… i guess.