Losing interest. Please help

Pick up an old MF film camera, relatively affordable nowadays, and cure yourself of instant gratification. I only send film to the lab about 2 or 3 times a year (discounts on 10+, 25+), so the whole process is deliciously drawn out. Gratifyingly, the end results generally put a big smile on my face. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

ILCA77M2user,

I think it's normal to have an ebb and flow in one's interests. That's how life works.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet - but there is a whole 'nuther side to photography - and that's editing. You might try diving into Photoshop - get a basic book and start tinkering with some of the photographs you've already taken. Hours of fun!

My other suggestion is DPR challenges. It's like being given a photo assignment with a deadline. Pick one or two out and see what you can come up with. There's one coming up for 'Blue Subject', and another for 'Shadow'. You might be surprised how different the world looks when you go out looking for blue things or shadows.

And that brings me to another thing - getting out of the house. It's good for you, and don't worry if you don't use the camera you brought along. That's OK.

Cheers, Steve

As far as I'm concerned, the technical stuff is a necessary evil--I want the pictures in the world around me to meet the pictures in my head.

I can relate to your situation because I use photography to record drawings and paintings in progress and so I can never decide if I am committed to photography to the same degree as people who are finding their own way of seeing and communicating with the camera.

I was fortunate in meeting a wonderful but very modest photographer earlier in my life who primarily used film. He in turn had been inspired by his father who had been an aerial photography. However my friend became interested in what were supposedly the world's worst cameras, often old soviet medium format and strange cameras from the far east that leaked light and that he managed with as best he could. He would choose his films very carefully and I remember when I was with him that I never felt as if he was hankering after any labour saving device or accessory. He was instead thinking his way around those incredibly peculiar cameras, but which every so often gave him exactly what he wanted. His photographs were and still are wonderful things because each one had made onto film against all the odds.

So maybe what I am saying is that you might give up photography entirely, which is a perfectly respectable thing to do. Alternatively, like my old friend, you might look at using film, which might rejuvenate your interest or perhaps having a season of black and white. Lastly it could be that you have reached a point where you should consider a niche or specialism and you might set up limitations before selling the gear and moving on.

I admit to not reading each entry here. But I ask, do you have some other hobby interest that's sort of gnawing at you as you question your interest in photography? I'm a rather poor (financial) retiree. I can really only financially support on good hobby. I could sell all of my photo gear and venture into another interest (happens to be model railroading), but in my case, after much thought, I'm sticking with photography. But for you, another interest might be a good move. Hobbies need to be fun. So if photos are no longer of interest, go elsewhere.

Instead of putting all of the pressure on yourself and the learning to improve your game, why not just relax a bit and spend some time learning not the technical stuff but about the medium itself? That's where I get a lot of my inspiration from and I'm surprised at how few folks who are serious about doing photography know very much about the medium... Read some books about the history of photography, browse the library, watch some photo related documentaries... that sort of thing. You might find that after seeing how others have approached the medium and what the possiblites are (things that you might not have every thought about) you'll find some new inspiration for your own stuff...

It certainly stated off as a past time and the most fun was had when I was completely ignorant.

There seems to be an inverse relationship between the knowledge I gain and the fun I have.

As suggested earlier, perhaps going back to basics is a good idea, and only using your phone as a camera for a while may be a good idea. It does not get more basic than that.

You didn't really state which type of photography inspired you, (unless I missed it) in your original post. But you did mention that you were tempted to switch to Nikon. If the gear you currently own is preventing you from getting the images you want, that could be a valid reason for your waning interest. But this is something you have to ask yourself.

What brought you to an interest in photography in the first place? I had a love for nature and wildlife since I was a kid, and when I discovered photography, it became an immediate and enduring passion.

I don't suffer from gear envy and know that with the modest equipment I have, and with dedication to making a good image, I will generally achieve the results I desire. Financially, I can't afford the latest and greatest. But I do keep up with what's going on in the industry.

A passion is a focus and dedication(even if it can only be done on weekends). But there has to be a central motivating point fueling your passion. If it's just the passion of learning about something new, or the emotional intoxication of being a "photographer", these things will wane and you will lose interest. I think you have to go back to the beginning and ask yourself what motivated you to become interested in photography in the first place, and there you will find your answer.

Best of luck to you.

My gear is not limiting me at all, but the constant 'A-Mount is doomed' talk still hangs in the back of my mind.

The switch to Nikon is an illogical desire that I am ignoring.

Initially I got a camera to record the life of my new dog, to serve as a memory for the future.

After a few months, I really started enjoying photography.

My dog was my main subject, but I experimented with pet portraits, environmental portraits, dogs playing (action), panning, flash photography.

I later picked up a macro lens and enjoyed still life, abstracts, water drops on leaves and liquid splashes.

I got LR & PS and learned post processing.
I printed my favourite 4 images to hang around the house.

After about 18 months I noticed my interest starting to fade, so took a course at my local college.

3 months into the course my previous enthusiasm hasn't returned.

As a previous poster suggested, I think I need to try going back to basics. That seemed to be when I was most enthusiastic.

ILCA77M2user said:

My gear is not limiting me at all, but the constant 'A-Mount is doomed' talk still hangs in the back of my mind.

The switch to Nikon is an illogical desire that I am ignoring.

Initially I got a camera to record the life of my new dog, to serve as a memory for the future.

After a few months, I really started enjoying photography.

My dog was my main subject, but I experimented with pet portraits, environmental portraits, dogs playing (action), panning, flash photography.

I later picked up a macro lens and enjoyed still life, abstracts, water drops on leaves and liquid splashes.

I got LR & PS and learned post processing.
I printed my favourite 4 images to hang around the house.

After about 18 months I noticed my interest starting to fade, so took a course at my local college.

3 months into the course my previous enthusiasm hasn't returned.

As a previous poster suggested, I think I need to try going back to basics. That seemed to be when I was most enthusiastic.

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I can only go by my own experience, but courses never appealed to me nor would I find them inspiring. Most of my learning was hands on, trial and error, always with a desire to improve. If I couldn't figure something out on my own I would find an answer on the internet. You seem to have enough hands on experience to do whatever you set your mind to. Meet ups, group outings and things like that seem contrary to the creative spirit of photography, imho anyway.

I think something important but possibly overlooked is if you post your images on a photo sharing site. I post on Flickr and over the years met a lot of people in my area who shared the same passion and also posted there. I developed friendships and many contacts, and with that, friendly rivalries. I would subconsciously measure my skill level amongst my peers and always push myself to post only images that met a certain subjective standard. This social aspect really helped my focus and fueled my inspiration. After a couple of years I left Flickr and was not publicly posting any of my images. Without a public forum, I found myself less inspired to pick up my camera because I realized it was strictly for my own viewing. Once I returned to public posting, my enthusiasm for photography increased as well. I never realized until I left, the many positives of being part of a larger photo community and actively participating in it.

ILCA77M2user said:

My dog was my main subject, but I experimented with pet portraits, environmental portraits, dogs playing (action), panning, flash photography.

I later picked up a macro lens and enjoyed still life, abstracts, water drops on leaves and liquid splashes.

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Are you bored with dog pictures? Bored with macro pictures?

ILCA77M2user said:

As a previous poster suggested, I think I need to try going back to basics. That seemed to be when I was most enthusiastic.

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Here's a different idea: Find some subjects you enjoy looking at and want to capture in photographs. Make the content the focus rather than developing your technique or your artistry.

I do use Flickr. I would post multiple times a week at one point, but I think the last post was about 3 months ago.

I would get likes and followers, but it never
really turned into anything.

I certainly agree that there is a motivation to capture an image of a certain standard when you know it will be publicly viewed.

ILCA77M2user said:

I do use Flickr. I would post multiple times a week at one point, but I think the last post was about 3 months ago.

I would get likes and followers, but it never
really turned into anything.

I certainly agree that there is a motivation to capture an image of a certain standard when you know it will be publicly viewed.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/125675370@N06/

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Ok, so here's my take on this. You got into photography primarily for the love of your dogs ... beagles, and lots of them. I had a beagle for 11 years and he was one of my favorite little pets.

It's like young children, you watch them growing up and you want to capture every moment. But over time they become adults (dogs much faster than children), and your fervor for capturing the moment wanes. I think it's as simple as that. Which brings me back to the reason you became involved in photography in the first place ... your dogs.

So I think your indifference to photography at the moment can be traced to this. I checked your link and looked at your photos. You obviously have the skill and creativity to make a good image. You're creatively adrift at the moment, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. If you truly love photography, you will eventually find a focus and reignite your passion.

When I first bought my long lens, I almost exclusively shot birds. This began to wear thin after a year or so, and I began to experience the "been there, done that" syndrome. I then invested in wider lenses and realized that landscapes were much more challenging and cerebral than shooting birds. I became more aware of composition and light, and once again felt photographically renewed. I still shoot birds, but actually prefer landscapes now.

You have a great macro lens. Macro is a world unto itself. There's a myriad of things you could shoot macro with ... bugs, flowers, droplets etc. Perhaps not fretting about it is the right way to go. Don't force it. Put the camera down, and pick it up when you feel ready to go at it again.

Best of luck.

This is not abnormal. I picked up photography in the early 70s but almost stopped for 10 years between 90s and 2000s.

Ask yourself the question why you picked up this hobby in the first place. I suspect part of the reason for losing interest is that results are not what you hoped. Photography is an art form that takes time to mature and develop your own style. Stop focusing on photo oriented forum or technique. Go to art museum, look at paintings. Just appreciate classic paintings. Absorb the artistic arrangements.

ILCA77M2user said:

Before I start please let me assure you that this isn't a troll post, rather a request for help.

Almost 2 years ago I picked up a Sony A77ii and slowly amassed some gear (lenses, lighting, tripod, ect).

I would spend hours reading, watching YouTube videos and studying photography & LightRoom during the week.

At Weekends I would try what I had researched during the week. I experimented with a lot of different techniques and scenarios.

Over the months I have printed 4 photographs to hang on the wall.

I would be almost constantly thinking about photography.

Over the last 3 months, I've used the camera once.

I don't seem interested with photography anymore.

I took a course at my local college to try and reignite my interest.

It didn't work.

Picking up the camera now seems a chore and I just have no interest.

Is this a normal phase that will pass?

Has this happened to you?

Should I just back off for a bit?

Or force myself through it?

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ILCA77M2user said:

It certainly stated off as a past time and the most fun was had when I was completely ignorant.

There seems to be an inverse relationship between the knowledge I gain and the fun I have.

Click to expand...

I think one goes through that phase.

It's the undigested technical stuff that kills the fun. Once the brain has taken it on board so that it becomes instinctive, the fun revives.

Here's a quick drawing technique you can use if find that your photography is boring. You don't need to be good at drawing at all, just rough sketching is good enough:

Find a scene that catches your attention.

Turn away from the scene, and do a very quick sketch of it.

Photograph the scene.

Go home and display the photo on a screen. Compare the drawing to the photograph.

How much of the photograph area covers the area of the sketch? Is the sketch of just a small part of the photo?

Is there detail in the sketch that is not visible in the photo because of over or under exposure?

Is there prominent detail in the photo which you didn't include in the sketch? Power lines, roads, etc.?

Are vertical lines in the sketch vertical in the photo?
--

ILCA77M2user said:

It certainly stated off as a past time and the most fun was had when I was completely ignorant.

There seems to be an inverse relationship between the knowledge I gain and the fun I have.

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Knowledge brings sorrow: a well-known writer in antiquity noticed this also.

His advice was to moderately enjoy the blessings of life, to avoid anger, avoid laziness, avoid complaining, and to give credit to others for your successes.

ILCA77M2user said:

ILCA77M2user wrote... I would get likes and followers, but it never really turned into anything.

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You can buy a couple of thousand likes for a couple of dollars, so...

I had a break from photography lasting +30 years, so my advice would be to drop it completely. One day you may have sorted out what and how you want to visualize stuff, so just let things evolve stress- and pressure free...

Or - make a "business" plan! What is the end goal? How to get there? Make a very detailed plan and stick to it strictly. This approach is of course like having a job... fun for some, not so much for others...

Best of luck!

I've had dreams of losing my camera and not finding it causing nightmares! If photography is not in your being it won't be despite whatever college course you take.