I am getting too lazy to take photos. How to get motivated?

[kkardster]

P.S. I hoping you do not reply soon because you are busy out shooting something!

 

[Hope1943]

I think we all hit those spots sometimes. Try something different, maybe macro or still life, portraits, street, landscape - something you don't normally do. Look closely and try to see things differently. Ask yourself a lot of "What if...?" questions, and "I wonder what it would look like if I.... ?" Don't worry. The creative juices will start to flow again.

 

[jonbev]

I always carry a camera, yesterday sitting in the car waiting for the wife two sparrows sat on my rear vision mirror, by the time I got my point and shoot out of the glove box they had gone, however I waited and luckily one returned and allowed me just one shot, these things happen and they motivate you, I think from now on I will have a camera beside me ready to shoot, LOL.

 

[stronics]

cainn24 wrote:

I have several different hobbies and the intensity of my focus on each one tends to be cyclical. I get bored of photography quite often and during those times I'll put my energy into something else. And when I get bored of that, I'll move on to yet another cyclical obsession, and so on. Eventually photography will come back to the fore again and I'll pour myself back into it with renewed interest and fresh perspective.

In other words, I don't force it, because for me it's a hobby not a profession. In fact I actually really like this cycle of waning and peaking interest now that I've recognized it for what it is and made peace with it. It tends to enhance my overall enjoyment of everything.

Bingo, that is me all over.

David

 

[Zindanfel]

You don't have to be an actor; be the photographer for publicity photos and dress rehearsals. Most groups do dance and music as well as drama -- plenty of variety and challenging situations.

I think there is a possibility for you if you get your photography out of a solitary groove, i.e., be involved with other people, use your photography to help them.

--
Zin

 

[ysal]

As Dez suggested, I really enjoying partaking in challenges here. It opens up a whole new motivation in shooting. Just don't get too discouraged if you don't place high

Also, you may consider the possibility that photography just is not your "thing", and that is perfectly fine too.

 

[PC Wheeler]

Just collect gear like many of the rest of us. More fun than stamp collection, IMO

 

[Urbanito]

To all that are answering me:

You know what? I am feeling ashamed of myself and start feeling that the answer is GO! Take your camera and start shooting again? And finish to play the role of "the poor guy".

Today I am going to shoot something.

Thanks a lot. I will keep you aware of my progress.

Someone of you told me "have fun" and it is what I am going to try.

Warm regards to all of you. You were great and generous.

Joao

I forgot to tell you that I had a total hip replacement and during two years I almost couldn't walk (before and after surgery), but it is not anymore an excuse.

 

[sancamd]

Urbanito hello, sorry that you're in this state.

And continue with photography but with a side?. Currently I'm starting doing photography, but I think there will come a day when I tire a little to do the same.

Just as it happened with other activities, for a few years I have been delving into the techniques, testing etc. .. until i reached a point where it was the same every time. I liked it but I was tired, as if sensing that i no longer had challenges to overcome.

Finally I discovered a way opened doors into my hobby, and was put to teach what I know. was with people who would like to learn by doing and started to transmit knowledge and support with practice. And free, we started to do for me, not to make money and sometimes you learn things or start an interest for some time did not call you attention.

I realized I had two interesting new challenges hook me again. The learn how to convey that knowledge (to be learned first, which will then, it might be interesting ...) and the challenge of preparing mometos (preparation practices, dates, preparing practices for certain techniques, .... .).

If the picture comes a time when this happens I surely propose a group of novice fans to whom they can lend a hand while I propose a challenge to myself.

Hope that helps, greetings

 

[antoineb]

Urbanito wrote:

Hello:

I have plenty of cameras (LX5. FZ150, Canon SX 220) but, lately I don't feel motivation to take photos. I feel that I don't find new motives of interest, after more than two thousand of photos.

When I buy a new camera, I take some, but it seems that the photos are almost the same.

Who can help me with suggestions to start again? Is there a way to leave this kind of limbo?

Please give me a help.

Kind regards,

Joao

PS: I am not sick, physically or mentally.

(1) no one HAS TO take photos, apart from pros. If you don't feel like taking photos, that's fine, it's perfectly alright. People will own a bike and not ride it often, a boat and not use it often, and so on.

(2) if you think you HAVE TO take photos, it's negative. Any gratuitous pursuit like this, should be fun, not an obligation.

(3) to attempt to recover the fun, you can either:
- wait until it comes back
- impose on yourself to capture some themes. Can be rising suns, doors, bikes, flowers, you name it. Could be portraits - the nice thing with portraits is that it adds human interaction, the tough thing with portraits is that the subjects will give you feedback which can lead to more work.

good luck

 

[Gary S]

If this video didn't inspire me to go out, shoot and have fun (it does), I might start to feel like my whole life needs to be rebooted. That's meant to be good natured and not rude in any way. Once in a while I'll feel uninspired but it doesn't last for long. Just going out and changing my perspective usually does it.

(Panasonic Promo)

 

[Erik Ohlson]

Urbanito wrote:

To all that are answering me:

You know what? I am feeling ashamed of myself and start feeling that the answer is GO! Take your camera and start shooting again? And finish to play the role of "the poor guy".

Today I am going to shoot something.

Thanks a lot. I will keep you aware of my progress.

Someone of you told me "have fun" and it is what I am going to try.

Warm regards to all of you. You were great and generous.

Joao

I forgot to tell you that I had a total hip replacement and during two years I almost couldn't walk (before and after surgery), but it is not anymore an excuse.

I have been reading this thread as it developed, and I really have a hard time relating to this "Problem".

I carry a ZS** camera in my pocket ALWAYS - I am never without it.

I do not go "looking" for pictures, but I do grab them when I see them - most of my photos are just records: a cartoon posted on a notice-board; the serial number I cannot otherwise see on the back of my computer, the location of a pipe in my garden......

Every so often, I'll see a lovely sight and shoot it - of course when on a trip I see so many more.

Here is a suggestion:

I have no idea if such things are easily found in Portugal, but some years ago I took a little Watercolor Painting class - just a little class for bored people, nothing "serious".

It was remarkable how doing this gave me a new appreciation for the subtle colors of evening clouds and the sweep of the fields. I suppose that this may be the sort of "inspiration" you are seeking.

I take these little courses occasionally when I feel that the world is becoming boring. Changing from Photography to an entirely different thing where color and form are entirely my own helps me to see differently.

Try it - then go out with "new eyes" and get some photos of your lovely country to share with us.







--
"Measure wealth not by things you have but by things for which you would not take money"
www.flickr.com/ohlsonmh/ [email protected]

 

[John McCormack]

Travel One way to stimulate your photography juices is travel. I find I make more images when I'm on the road. A change of scenery will help because you're in a new area and see new people or places.

Art and Sculpture I like to visit museums and photograph the art and sculpture (when permitted). Looking at the Old Masters is not my cup of tea, but they knew how to capture and present light, something we can all learn from. I stumbled across an exhibit called Deco Japan that really opened my eyes to a different world of design and art. Who knew that the Japanese were so enamored with Art Deco back in the day.

I've been around the photo block in the last 50 years, shooting family, sports, weddings, wildlife. There's always something new to shoot.

 

[Urbanito]

Thank you again for not letting me alone and keeping helping with very good and easy solutions.
As I have told before, I am going to follow some of the suggestions, mainly the one to carry always a camera to be ready when a subject shows of.

Lisbon is always a fantastic place to take photos with plenty activity going on the streets and with a fantastic light witch inspires poets, painters and photographers.

I used to live in Lisbon, (right side of the river), but I have another place, about 15 KM away (left side of the river), where I have another place, where I spend most of my time, the one over the river and next to the ocean.

I going to spend more time in Lisbon and to rediscover it.

Thanks again

Joao

 

[Jerry045]

If that video doesn't make you want to go out and shoot some photos, nothing will. Thanks for the inspiration Gary.

 

[Urbanito]

Hello:
As a result of your support I am posting my first photo, a sunset from my balcony.

Please give me your honest opinion.

 

[kkardster]

Urbanito wrote:

Hello:
As a result of your support I am posting my first photo, a sunset from my balcony.

Please give me your honest opinion.

Well, I must say you've made quite a come back as this photo is great!

The FZ150 has less of a problem with lens flare than the FZ200 when shooting into the sun. With the FZ200 I often have to recompose until the flare remains within the ball of the sun or I need to remove it [if possible] in post processing - often by copying and mirroring the opposite non-flared quadrant.

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[Urbanito]

Thank you Bruce. Your comments were very nice and help me a lot.

Best regards

Joao

 

[janeenadamsmartin]

my gosh -- that is a great shot! the sparrow must not have seen you inside? you shot through glass? makes me want to buy another small camera, lol

 

[Marla]

Good for you! I hope this is just the beginning and that this lovely image will inspire you to keep going.

You did a fine job with the photo. The composition is very good. I love the sky, and the colors. You should have a nice print made to hang on your wall to inspire you to keep moving right along - camera in hand!

And ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

--
Maria