Losing interest. Please help

[crazydoglady]

Not sure where you live but maybe it's just the time of year? It has been a rubbish winter in the UK, very wet and hardly any proper cold weather. I find that fairly demotivating for landscapes, but I think a wet, muddy dog can make a more interesting subject than a dry clean one!

Some things that have helped me when I've lost motivation in case any of it works for you:

• Shoot dogs from the hip with a wide angle lens. You may get some interesting compositions/expressions, although you will probably end up deleting a lot
• Do a photo session for a friend's dog and try to get certain shots - headshot, full body shot, action, portrait, humourous etc
• Photograph rescue dogs for your local shelter
• Find new locations and try to get a landscape photograph with your dog in it
• Experiment with a wide aperture (look at the work of Alicja Zmyslowka)
• If your dog swims then get in the water with them (assuming it's safe!) and photograph them jumping in. More of a summer thing though...
• Try and get photos in a theme, such as the categories in the Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year (man's best friend, dogs at work etc)

 

[NormSchultze]

I have a similar problem with the airshows in Texas, where I live. I'm seen and shot all the usual suspects. I've done it. And I was bored outta my skull.

What to do ? Since I do enjoy shooting classic and warbird aircraft.

The easy and quick answer is go somewhere else and see something different. Find something to shoot at least 500 miles away. Fly there , rent a car and do it. The expense may mean fewer trips and fewer clicks, but the rewards are good. Don't over analyze, just do.

 

[TacticDesigns]

You make a good point here. Thinking more about it, I do stress more about settings, sharpness, lens choice than I do about what the image is about.

Maybe I got caught up in all the technical stuff, which only takes a few months to learn (but a lifetime to master).

I've always been more theoretical than practical.

Back in 2010 / 2011 I started wondering if I was shooting more because of the gear versus actually liking to take pictures.

So . . . I walked away from my dSLR camera and spent most of the year shooting with point-and-shoot cameras.

I figured . . . if I kept shooting, then maybe I was shooting because I liked to rather than just because of all the fancy gear.

In the end, I kept shooting and really had fun looking around and trying things out rather than worrying about f-stop this and f-stop that.

Then in 2012 I started thinking more about why the heck I take pictures, but also, more importantly, I started thinking about how I could use this to try to give back . . .

Loading…

www.flickr.com

After going through those 2 exercises, I've never had a second thought about if I enjoy taking pictures. And it's really started me thinking about what's next . . .

Take care & Happy Shooting!

 

[Shifter]

[No message]

 

[Speedex Folder]

As a lifelong musician, I can look back on points in my life where I ate, drank, and slept with the thing, and stretches where I just could not be bothered with even touching the damn thing. As a semi-professional, I could get away with it.

I must admit I even got so frustrated a time or two and sold everything, and swore I'd never touch one again, ever ! !

And . . . . . inevitably I would indeed get the itch again, the control rods would back out, the reaction would start, and I'd begin again. Ultimately, it's just in my DNA.

The interplay of creativity and human nature is a see-saw for many of us.

So . . . . what I would recommend is

A) Don't get in a hurry to sell everything

B) Put it all in a big box in a closet and just forget about it, until . . . . . .

C) You get the itch to pick it up and start again, or after enough time has passed and that never happened, THEN it's time to think about selling out of the hobby.

I will tell you that those several times I walked away, I now realize I had maneuvered myself into a creative dead-end, and obviously my feelings were actually boredom that I could not get a new spark to another direction. After a several months break, when I did return, I had a much more open mind and new ideas. This might be where you're at.

Best of Luck !

 

[DVT80111]

it will rejuvenate your photography interest.

If you just stay inside your house, get bored fast.

 

[ILCA77M2user]

Three months on and I still haven't used the camera at all, but now I don't think it's due to a lack of interest in photography.

I'm still watching tutorials and reviews, reading about photography, following this forum and noticing interesting light.

I'm just not capturing anything.

It seems I've developed a crippling OCD whereby the very thought of damaging something I own almost brings a panic attack.

Just holding something I own (camera, phone, book, watch, etc.) brings heart palpitations.

I've not bought anything for about 3 months now (camera equipment, clothes, gadgets, books, phone, TV, etc).

While this is good for my bank balance, I now see it as an avoidance of anxiety.

I know this is completely off topic, but just wanted to wrap up this thread with the real cause of my "lack of interest".

Hopefully it will pass in a few months and if it does I'll post some images on this thread.

 

[SoCalWill]

Ah, the "Shelf Queen Syndrome," why didn't you say so, that's an easy one: Using a diamond file or a similarly abrasive/hard tool, gently rub an area on the underside of the camera until it is mildly scored. There, now it's already damaged, you don't have to worry about it being pristine anymore.

 

[Aaron801]

Just be glad that you don't own Leica gear (I'm assuming that you don't)... That stuff is apparently built to last but it's so expensive that unless you really have money to burn, it seems like it would be impossible to pick one up without thinking "investment" and then of course "protecting the investment."

The truth is, is that cameras in general (Leica's notwithstanding) are actually cheaper (in today's dollars) than equivalent level film era gear... So you can think of it as relatively cheap stuff... to be used. If buying new, you can always get comprehensive coverage plans which will cover the thing for any eventuality. A lot of us skip that, but if you're really worried about your stuff, it might be worthwhile.


I'd think that if you watched some documentaries and read some books about photographers, you might just get inspired enough to pull out the gear... protection be dammed. Just a theory though...

--
my flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/128435329@N08/

 

[Smaug01]

Is this a normal phase that will pass?

Yes.

Has this happened to you?

Yes.

Should I just back off for a bit?

Yes. Get another hobby, and use photography as a supporting hobby to share pix in those other fora online. Other hobbies I've had: motorcycling, woodworking, R/C planes and trucks, watch collecting/ minor servicing, ham radio.

Have you tried a photography club? That might help, if you really want to try to keep the interest going. But it sounds like you've just burned yourself out a little.

Another idea is to do something as a community service to put your gear and talent to good use. For example, we have one member who volunteers at his local animal shelter, taking pet portraits to help get them adopted instead of killed. I'm an Assistant Scoutmaster in my son's Boy Scout troop, and I take pictures for them. The parents are so happy to see their kids doing something besides playing video games.

I saw a blurb one time about one photographer doing free portraits on the street. He had a simple white background hung up, a sign "free portraits" and his SLR with lens. One after another, writing down email addresses. Spread the joy a little, you know?

Or force myself through it?

No, but DO force yourself to use it for family gatherings and when you go on vacation or somewhere new though, if only to take a snapshot here and there. Consider purchasing a high-end point & shoot, so it isn't a chore to bring it along, but you still have something that outclasses a phone camera.

 

[PhotoTeach2]

I started in photography at age 10-12 and worked at it (sometimes PT) professionally for 40 years.

The last 15 of those years was the owner of a 1-hour Photo Lab & Studio and also did weddings, portfolios, advertising, but also aerial - legal ... etc.

But I closed my lab/studio in '97 and indeed also got bored with it and didn't shoot much after that.

While active my favorite lens was a 14mm as it allowed me to get "creative", as opposed to my "pro" work which was always within a very limited zoom-range. (28 to 200mm)

I had a 500mm but very seldom used it because it was just too heavy to carry/mount and the couple of times I saw an opportunity to use it, my subject/animal was GONE before I could mount it for use.

I had also been FF and never even considered the unthinkable "small" sensor as I knew the IQ would be totally unacceptable since I had come from a "pro" background.

BUT ... I was going on an Alaskan cruise and decided to "try" a Sony HX-100 for its 800mm, (as I figured I would not have the time to take any really "good/great" images anyway, and that the captain of the boat was not going to "beach" the ocean liner for me to get any "close" images).

I was AMAZED that the IQ was much better than I expected and was able to print 20"x30" posters.

The flexibility of having such an wide "zoom" range reawakened my interest in photography, and I found it "FUN" again.

I then got a Panasonic/Lumix FZ-200 and added the low-light ability of f/2.8 and the FULLY-articulating rear-LCD and the creative shooting positions it offered. (more "FUN")

I then got the FZ-1000 and having more "FUN" than ever and shooting 10X the images with it additional shooting opportunities of being able to (digital) zoom to 3200mm.

(and I can get my UWA again with a .28 WA convertor)

NOW the Nikon P-900 is available w/ 2000mm (equiv) zoom is available, (but I don't have one yet because it lacks some features I want -- like FULLY-articulating LCD).

So basically I have to say "super-zoom" did it for me, particularly the FZ-200 / 1000.

 

[SeeRoy]

You're missing the point. You should get rid of your Sony gear and "invest" in a completely different system. If you're using zooms, sell them and buy a sack of primes; alternatively the reverse. If you have both zooms and primes, sell them all, buy an adapter and use "legacy" lenses; ideally Leicas. Even better get rid of all the Sony gear and buy a complete Fuji system - it's the "must have" brand today! Almost any alternative will work just as well so long as it involves heavy expenditure. That's what you're put on earth for.

 

[skyglider]

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)

.... snip ....

Picking up the camera now seems a chore and I just have no interest.
Is this a normal phase that will pass?

How about trying some free engagement or pre-wedding photo shoots? There is no pressure like shooting a wedding, you need to use all of your technical skills, you need to learn how to pose people, how to get good lighting on them, etc. Then use your post processing skills to really make the shots exceptional.

It will be a challenge for you and make a couple and their families really happy to receive a free engagement or pre-wedding photo shoot. The couple has to pay for any prints made of course. If you really learn how to do an exceptional, extraordinary job, the word of mouth will spread quickly and you can even work your way into charging high prices for your work.

The nice thing is that there is no pressure and no missed "must have" shots like shooting a wedding. A lot of satisfaction in producing exceptional photos of people.

Sky

 

[SoCalWill]

The flexibility of having such an wide "zoom" range reawakened my interest in photography, and I found it "FUN" again.

NOW the Nikon P-900 is available w/ 2000mm (equiv) zoom is available, (but I don't have one yet because it lacks some features I want -- like FULLY-articulating LCD).

The P900 would be a hoot, but it doesn't do RAW :-(

Compact cameras really are a blast though, the sporty little convertibles of the camera world..

 

[ultimitsu]

It seems I've developed a crippling OCD whereby the very thought of damaging something I own almost brings a panic attack.

Just holding something I own (camera, phone, book, watch, etc.) brings heart palpitations.

I think when I first started buying expensive grown up toys I was extra careful with them. I am still careful to this day, but I believe toys are meant to be played. I use all my camera gear, exotic knives, expensive rifles, etc. If I wanted an investment I buy a house.

 

[Shifter]

Since when are cameras and lenses and all the other photo gear just "TOYS"? Hmmm?

 

[Aaron801]

Since when are cameras and lenses and all the other photo gear just "TOYS"? Hmmm?

That's what I call all of that stuff too: toys! If you aren't using them for your livelihood, that's pretty much their function...

 

[Shifter]

Since when are cameras and lenses and all the other photo gear just "TOYS"? Hmmm?

That's what I call all of that stuff too: toys! If you aren't using them for your livelihood, that's pretty much their function...

So... you don't make a buck with your toys and you don't take photography seriously. You got 3 likes for your reply.

 

[Aaron801]

Since when are cameras and lenses and all the other photo gear just "TOYS"? Hmmm?

That's what I call all of that stuff too: toys! If you aren't using them for your livelihood, that's pretty much their function...

So... you don't make a buck with your toys and you don't take photography seriously. You got 3 likes for your reply.

Not sure what point your making here, but I take photography pretty seriously (it's more of a passion for me than something that I'd just call a "hobby") and I have occasionally made a bit of money with it... but my gear is to me, what I call "toys." Toys that I cherish and that are important to me but toys nonetheless...

 

[Shifter]

Since when are cameras and lenses and all the other photo gear just "TOYS"? Hmmm?

That's what I call all of that stuff too: toys! If you aren't using them for your livelihood, that's pretty much their function...

So... you don't make a buck with your toys and you don't take photography seriously. You got 3 likes for your reply.

Not sure what point your making here, but I take photography pretty seriously (it's more of a passion for me than something that I'd just call a "hobby") and I have occasionally made a bit of money with it... but my gear is to me, what I call "toys." Toys that I cherish and that are important to me but toys nonetheless...

"A bit of money" you say you've made with camera gear. How so?

Personally, I've sold thousands of images made with my 'toys'.