Lack of inspiration

fret_wimp2

Ive been making a bit of an effort to use my camera more this year. Ive gotten some decent shots so it has not been a waste.

But the last 2 weeks have been terrible. Ive been out 2-3 times with the camera and got squat.

I went out to the city center last weekend in the rain as ive never tried shooting in the rain before and didnt get a single image i liked.

Do any of you hit such creativity black holes and how do you overcome them?

Ben D Bus

I had the same problem last weekend. Went out, took pictures. But cant find anything even to add to the project52 flickr.

Ill just try again next chance I get. Sorry I cant offer more than to say Im sure it happens to all of us sometimes.

thebaz

I don;t think you can force photography , like golf or love - it just happens, when it will - personally I havn't taken anything for a few months - when it comes , it will come back , or perhaps it never will , but i gave up forcing it a long time ago - forcing oneself to take a photograph every day was a big mistake i made a few years ago , after 2 weeks i was bored, and then a couple of weeks later i began naturally to see things

ScumLord

Just going around looking for interesting things to inspire you can be frustratingly unfruitful. If you go out with a clear agenda or a specific technical challenge at least you have a goal and know what you want to photo.

dirtyghettokid

i find this time of year dreadful for photography if the weather is continuously bad.
that's when i start taking pics of random stuff in the house with strobes lol
it's a good time to look up ideas and creative projects online for inspiration!

fret_wimp2

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i find this time of year dreadful for photography if the weather is continuously bad.
that's when i start taking pics of random stuff in the house with strobes lol
it's a good time to look up ideas and creative projects online for inspiration!

Thats it! I need more gear, i.e. a flash capable of strobing!
Its so simple!
More gear is always the answer!

dirtyghettokid

i dunno about more. i work with what i have

Suzyq

Try knitting.

I don't mean that glibly but perhaps photography's just not for you?

Or try making unusual porridge? Stuff like that.

ImagenEstilo

If you don't have a hotshoe mounted flash then it may be worth getting one for a quick injection of enthusiasm. It doesn't have to be a big hitting, all-dancing one, a simple manual one will do. It can open up some great opportunities. Make sure the head can rotate 180 degrees. Get yourself a bit of black foam aswell to flag the flash and while you are at it a cheap reflector. You would be surprised what you can do with a single hotshoe-mounted flash.

Snowie

When I go out with that attitude op I hate anything I've shot reason being your putting pressure on your self.. Set ones you just have to wait...

fret_wimp2

cool, i have a few ideas in the back of my head that require some reconisance first, so might just get down to planning and executing them.

Thanks All!

dinneenp

Are you living in Dublin?
I presume the 'grass is always' greener...but in Dublin you havea wealth of stuff to shoot, inspire you.

Head down to Croke Park or the Aviva stadium before any game- get shots of the fans, atmosphere, colours of flags etc.
There's an indoor BMX track in Dublin, something new to photograph.
Dublin Port, big ships, containers
Head to Phoenix Park and try to get some deer
Dublin Zoo
The architecture
the big wheel, all along that area at night.

Or do a project picking 'numbers', 1 specific colour etc.

LeoB

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Ive been making a bit of an effort to use my camera more this year. Ive gotten some decent shots so it has not been a waste.

But the last 2 weeks have been terrible. Ive been out 2-3 times with the camera and got squat.

I went out to the city center last weekend in the rain as ive never tried shooting in the rain before and didnt get a single image i liked.

Do any of you hit such creativity black holes and how do you overcome them?

Depending on what you like to shoot this time of year especially with the weather we have had in the last few weeks it can be very annoying. We planned a day in Wicklow 2 weeks ago and it was awful, totally uninspiring, wind, rain and very cold. Tomorrow its the Mournes and hopefully its a better day. Try shooting in B & W in the city I find these shots often work well. But dont give up on it. This happens to a lot of people.

We also set up a number of challenges with a time frame. Funky Friday. We post our images to a private group and whoever gets the most likes sets the next challenge. This week was motion, last week it was break time. So you just set up an image that you think fits with the title. So you could set yourself a weekly challenge - Motion, Music, Transport, Spring, Nature, Animals, water, light trails, sunrise and sunset.

KEEP ER LIT

pete4130

I can go for months without even thinking about holding a camera (or sometimes think I wish I had my camera with me but didn't bring it). It's par for the course. Keep it in the back of your mind. It'll come back around.

Lotsafish

LeoB wrote: »

We also set up a number of challenges with a time frame. Funky Friday. We post our images to a private group and whoever gets the most likes sets the next challenge. This week was motion, last week it was break time. So you just set up an image that you think fits with the title. So you could set yourself a weekly challenge - Motion, Music, Transport, Spring, Nature, Animals, water, light trails, sunrise and sunset.
KEEP ER LIT

How does one join the group?

Fiona

How about specializing and just taking pics of your favourite subjects for a while to develop your appetite for it again?

Me personally i would be bored to tears trying to take pics of landscape. Motorsport / automotive photography is what i love so I have decide its what i am going to throw myself into.

I am now on a media panel of photographers for a drifting group and that will give me access to many events this summer.I also got myself a little logo developed and a high viz with it on it.

They are little things but they really push you in the right direction!

superflyninja

Ive not taken a photo in months Id say. I think I realised that to take the photos I want to take I need to invest in now kit and Im just not in a position to do that. Now I know that stunning photos can be taken no matter what the kit but Im sure ill get past my downturn and pick up the camera again.