Not motivated to take photos

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

Hi,

I'm sure more of you had or have this problem. I just feel not really motived to go out and take pictures, but deep inside I really want to. Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Its difficult to place, really. I want and like to take photos but I miss the motivation part. Maybe people here had this problem as well and know how to deal with this? Any advice?

Thank you

Mike B USA · Sep 1, 2023

Unless it's your livelihood, stop considering it a problem.

I've found my interest in photography comes and goes over 50 or so years since I owned my first camera. I don't fight it. I have other interests as well. When I sense another interest taking priority, I clean and organize my camera gear, put it away neatly with confidence that it will call me again in the future. It always does.

Larry_T · Sep 1, 2023

Greetings, I have recently taken several on-line photo classes through my local university. We broke down the assignments such as lines, shapes, form, colors, texture, B&W, contrast, empty space, rule of thirds, light, simplicity, etc. When you go out and are only looking for one element, it becomes much easier (and more interesting) than trying to find that "right" photo in a world of complex possibilities. Your eye becomes more focused. Try this, it might be fun and rewarding. Peace.

yardcoyote · Sep 1, 2023

Could be a mood, could be a slump. Could be you just need an ongoing project or a daily practice to get you out there taking pictures on a regular basis whether you want to or not. I have a daily practice for drawing that I have kept up uninterrupted for more than 12 years and I cannot tell you how many times it has saved me, comforted me, challenged me. It forces me to learn and constantly reignites me.

If motivation is a problem for you, you may have to add it artificially. There is no shame in that.

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

Larry_T said:
Greetings, I have recently taken several on-line photo classes through my local university. We broke down the assignments such as lines, shapes, form, colors, texture, B&W, contrast, empty space, rule of thirds, light, simplicity, etc. When you go out and are only looking for one element, it becomes much easier (and more interesting) than trying to find that "right" photo in a world of complex possibilities. Your eye becomes more focused. Try this, it might be fun and rewarding. Peace.

Thanks Larry, I will keep this tip in mind!

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

yardcoyote said:
Could be a mood, could be a slump. Could be you just need an ongoing project or a daily practice to get you out there taking pictures on a regular basis whether you want to or not. I have a daily practice for drawing that I have kept up uninterrupted for more than 12 years and I cannot tell you how many times it has saved me, comforted me, challenged me. It forces me to learn and constantly reignites me.

If motivation is a problem for you, you may have to add it artificially. There is no shame in that.

I have no real project going on for my photography, never have. I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos. How did you stay motivated for more than 12 years? Thats long!

rolandb · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
Hi,

I'm sure more of you had or have this problem. I just feel not really motived to go out and take pictures, but deep inside I really want to. Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Its difficult to place, really. I want and like to take photos but I miss the motivation part. Maybe people here had this problem as well and know how to deal with this? Any advice?

Thank you

Gato Amarillo · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
Hi,

I'm sure more of you had or have this problem. I just feel not really motived to go out and take pictures, but deep inside I really want to. Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Its difficult to place, really. I want and like to take photos but I miss the motivation part. Maybe people here had this problem as well and know how to deal with this? Any advice?

Thank you

First off, if you don't depend on photography for your income this is only a problem if you define it as such. If you do depend on photos for a living the bill collectors will be around before long to give you some motivation.

It may be you need a break. Maybe put photography aside for month and see how you feel.

Or if you do feel a need to keep going take the advice of the shoe people: "Just do it."

You spoke of going to places you like. Maybe it's time to look for new places. Or look for places you don't naturally like and challenge yourself to see them as interesting.

Maybe you can set yourself some sort of project or exercise. I always feel weak at color composition, so from time to time I spend a week or two looking for color abstracts. I do an ongoing series of doors and windows. I'm always on the lookout for vintage cars and farm equipment.

I live in a rural area. There are probably a dozen small towns within an hour drive, some thriving, some failing. I'll take an afternoon and visit one I haven't seen in a while. I'll maybe take a different route coming back than I did going so I see more country. I keep an eye on the local calendar - almost every little town has local celebrations or events.

Before I retired I had about four different routes I could take to work. I would shift around depending on mood or season and often I'd start in 10 or 15 minutes early so I had time to look for photos or stop if something caught my eye.

I have a list in my head of places or things I'd like to get back to when the season or weather is right.

And so on ...

Gato

Jon in Thailand · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
Hi,

I'm sure more of you had or have this problem. I just feel not really motived to go out and take pictures, but deep inside I really want to. Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Its difficult to place, really. I want and like to take photos but I miss the motivation part. Maybe people here had this problem as well and know how to deal with this? Any advice?

Thank you

...............................

Get a macro lens and stay in your own yard.

.

..............................

sybersitizen · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
... Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

I was about to say that new places will suggest new photos. But then you said this:

Scheer27 said:
I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos.

So, is it that you're not enjoying the experience of the new places? Or are you enjoying the experience but still not wanting to take photos?

The first would be a problem IMO, but I wouldn't consider the second to be a problem unless it persists for a very long time.

tex · Sep 1, 2023

then I don't. It's not an existential crisis. I haven't done any personal work for a year or more----but I still have thousands of images that need postprocessing (and these are art shots, not family jazz, so they require a great deal of attention, even the sorting).

Partly I haven't had a lot of available time to do the kind of work i do---my work for pay has been weirdly busy. Partly it's a conscious pause for the dust to settle after a lot of previous activity.

My experience as an artist has taught me that when the time's right then it will be right, and not to get too angst-y about it.

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

sybersitizen said:
Scheer27 said:

... Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Click to expand...

I was about to say that new places will suggest new photos. But then you said this:

sybersitizen said:

I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos.

Click to expand...

So, is it that you're not enjoying the experience of the new places? Or are you enjoying the experience but still not wanting to take photos?

The first would be a problem IMO, but I wouldn't consider the second to be a problem unless it persists for a very long time.

Even new places can't really motivate now, that's the problem here haha.

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

tex said:
then I don't. It's not an existential crisis. I haven't done any personal work for a year or more----but I still have thousands of images that need postprocessing (and these are art shots, not family jazz, so they require a great deal of attention, even the sorting).

Partly I haven't had a lot of available time to do the kind of work i do---my work for pay has been weirdly busy. Partly it's a conscious pause for the dust to settle after a lot of previous activity.

My experience as an artist has taught me that when the time's right then it will be right, and not to get too angst-y about it.

I know the most commen thing to do is just to stop and take break. But if there is a 2nd option I welcome it. Other wise, maybe a break is the best for now.

JohnSil · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
sybersitizen said:

Scheer27 said:

... Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Click to expand...

I was about to say that new places will suggest new photos. But then you said this:

Scheer27 said:

I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos.

Click to expand...

So, is it that you're not enjoying the experience of the new places? Or are you enjoying the experience but still not wanting to take photos?

The first would be a problem IMO, but I wouldn't consider the second to be a problem unless it persists for a very long time.

Click to expand...

Even new places can't really motivate now, that's the problem here haha.

My question would be what other interests/hobbies do you have? Are you doing some of those now?

If photography is your only pastime then indeed you need to find a solution. If you're just onto other things, then just run with those until the photography comes back.

I don't know your health but I suggest you start to hike. Look online for beautiful places to hike. I'm sure it would take only a short while for the urge to photograph what you see. Then you've got a double interest, the great outdoors and photographing it.

Though I don't do macro, what I see really amazes me and can be done in a very small space and in your own yard to enter the amazing world of macro!!! Good luck.

John

Scheer27 · Sep 1, 2023

JohnSil said:
Scheer27 said:

sybersitizen said:

Scheer27 said:

... Its the feeling that if I go out to a place I like, I'll be gone within minutes and thinking "what am I even doing here?".

Click to expand...

I was about to say that new places will suggest new photos. But then you said this:

JohnSil said:

I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos.

Click to expand...

So, is it that you're not enjoying the experience of the new places? Or are you enjoying the experience but still not wanting to take photos?

The first would be a problem IMO, but I wouldn't consider the second to be a problem unless it persists for a very long time.

Click to expand...

Even new places can't really motivate now, that's the problem here haha.

Click to expand...

My question would be what other interests/hobbies do you have? Are you doing some of those now?

If photography is your only pastime then indeed you need to find a solution. If you're just onto other things, then just run with those until the photography comes back.

I don't know your health but I suggest you start to hike. Look online for beautiful places to hike. I'm sure it would take only a short while for the urge to photograph what you see. Then you've got a double interest, the great outdoors and photographing it.

Though I don't do macro, what I see really amazes me and can be done in a very small space and in your own yard to enter the amazing world of macro!!! Good luck.

John

Not really, actually. Only fitness.

My health is fine

but I'm not really into hiking, and if I would hike, I would take my camera with me, haha. Thanks John.

yardcoyote · Sep 1, 2023

Most days it isn't a problem. I love to draw, would probably draw most days anyway, and the "rules"are simple: a finished drawing, in ink, every day. When things get a little tough, I am motivated by two things: the idea that I know the chain will be broken someday, but it's not going to be today, and knowing that nowhere does it say it has to be a good drawing.

Just because you haven't got a project for your photography right now doesn't mean you can't start one. And you might want to take a long, long look at the idea of needing to go to new places to take photographs. There is great satisfaction to be found in photographing familiar objects and the everyday world around you over and over again over time, in different lights, in different seasons, as things grow and age and change and you do the same.

--
Instagram: @yardcoyote

richj20 · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
I know the most commen thing to do is just to stop and take break. But if there is a 2nd option I welcome it. Other wise, maybe a break is the best for now.

When you are driving to the store, do you notice interesting things? A few years ago a large flag in front of a house caught my attention. When out and about, I began looking for nice flag displays and photographing them. I have about 35 photographs.

A recent one:

From a few years ago:

Find something of interest to look for when you are out about town.

Another thing I regularly notice in my own garden, and when on my daily walk, is small flowers. Put on your macro lens and have some fun!

- Richard

--
Richard
http://www.rsjphoto.net/

C Sean · Sep 1, 2023

I was training for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition but since the doctors confirmed I got a hernia and now it got worse, my plans are shelved. No material arts, no exercising etc. Just taking it easy and getting fat. At least I can use the bo staff. The problem is I'll be like this probably for the next three months until I'll have my operation. Depressing.

So what I'm doing now is attempting to do more photography. I'll attend the competition but as a guest, support my team mates and rivals and do some photography while I'm there. I'll do other mini projects or just practise with a prime in the garden.

As others suggested, do other hobbies and come back to photography when you are ready. It if weren't for photography I'll be just be doing Netflix and gaming.

KENTGA · Sep 1, 2023

Don't know where you live or what you like to shoot but I've had the same issue(s) and haven't traveled much at all in 2023 and had cut back in 2022. In Oct 2023 I'm going to Palm Springs/Joshua Tree NP > Lone Pine > Nevada small towns and Ghost Towns > Lake Tahoe. Never been to PS/JTNP or small NV towns put to the others several times.

I'm 81 and live in metro Atlanta and there are many small towns to my north, west and south and that's what I've been doing the last couple of months on an occasional basis and I've really enjoyed it. One other thing is my mobility isn't what it used to be.

When I retired in 2005 I really got in to photography and took many photo trips and workshops and really enjoyed them but started slowing down thanks to father time and a bad knee.

Hang in there and let your heart be your guide.

Here is a link to my flickr albums. Click on an album and then a photo and then you can use right and left arrow keys to advance or go back.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums

Kent

--
Here is a link to some of my travels since 2006. Feel free to comment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums
KENTGA = Kent from Georgia (metro Atlanta)

TOTodd · Sep 1, 2023

Scheer27 said:
yardcoyote said:

Could be a mood, could be a slump. Could be you just need an ongoing project or a daily practice to get you out there taking pictures on a regular basis whether you want to or not. I have a daily practice for drawing that I have kept up uninterrupted for more than 12 years and I cannot tell you how many times it has saved me, comforted me, challenged me. It forces me to learn and constantly reignites me.

If motivation is a problem for you, you may have to add it artificially. There is no shame in that.

Click to expand...

I have no real project going on for my photography, never have. I just love to go out to new places with as goal taking photos. How did you stay motivated for more than 12 years? Thats long!

I believe yardcoyote gave you with the best advise you'll see in this thread: you need a project. You'll never feel motivated without a photography goal, and that's exactly what a project will provide you.

Not motivated to take photos

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