Maybe part of this is yet to take classes or anything, or the lack of finding someone to create something.
So I'm tempted to buy some books on all aspects of photography/retouching, or something. I guess to learn something (or more than one thing) and just maybe overhaul my photography. So any ideas.
Buying a book could be one way to find inspiration. You could also make "lists" here on MM of work that inspires you, hire an inspiring model, scout inspiring locations, set up a meeting with a photographer who inspires you, take a workshop, subscribe to a photography magazine, or sign up for a photography/photoshop class.
MelissaAnn wrote: Buying a book could be one way to find inspiration. You could also make "lists" here on MM of work that inspires you, hire an inspiring model, scout inspiring locations, set up a meeting with a photographer who inspires you, take a workshop, subscribe to a photography magazine, or sign up for a photography/photoshop class.
Take a long walk. I mean a LONG walk (2 or 3 hours at least) and meditate along the way. Go empty handed with just your keys and a few bucks for water.
Finding inspirations from others is OK, but finding inspiration within yourself will let you live more authentically. I think too many people get wrapped up in the work and lives of others but they don't know the person that lives inside their own meat-suit. Once you do this, you'll start to get excited on your own and won't need to buy a book that shows how someone else lives, rent a llama that others have found impressive, or copy ideas made by other people you'll never meet.
Walk a mile in your own shoes and get excited about your own life and fantasies.
Trust me, it works than being stuck in the consumerist trap.
Go on location to some neat area and explore. When you do you'll see photo composition everywhere. I did that today and my brain won't quite thinking of new ideas!
try a personal project. like shooting homeless people. or downtown buildings. or whatever. make your own coffee table book to show off to people.
or team up with someone who has a vision.
for my part i pick up my camera when someone pays me to do it and then i know what i have to do which is make them happy. i'm not overly keen on shooting for free anymore.
SparksFoto wrote: Maybe part of this is yet to take classes or anything, or the lack of finding someone to create something.
So I'm tempted to buy some books on all aspects of photography/retouching, or something. I guess to learn something (or more than one thing) and just maybe overhaul my photography. So any ideas.
All I have is buy a few books.
Join a meetup group and mingle with other photographers and see how they work and get inspired. I am lucky to live nearby numerous groups that setup workshops. Also paying a good model is not a bad idea if your starting off as the look and experience can be the doorway to better success.
Marciofs
Posts: 1,565
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Mi Do wrote: Take a long walk. I mean a LONG walk (2 or 3 hours at least) and meditate along the way. Go empty handed with just your keys and a few bucks for water.
Finding inspirations from others is OK, but finding inspiration within yourself will let you live more authentically. I think too many people get wrapped up in the work and lives of others but they don't know the person that lives inside their own meat-suit. Once you do this, you'll start to get excited on your own and won't need to buy a book that shows how someone else lives, rent a model that others have found impressive, or copy ideas made by other people you'll never meet.
Walk a mile in your own shoes and get excited about your own life and fantasies.
Trust me, it works than being stuck in the consumerist trap.
This is what I do too.
No ideas? just relax, contemple the nature, peatantion to your senses, clean your head, feel easy. Without the anciety to do something, but you don't know what, the ideas just come.
Mi Do wrote: Take a long walk. I mean a LONG walk (2 or 3 hours at least) and meditate along the way. Go empty handed with just your keys and a few bucks for water.
I did what you asked and wrote down my observations from the 2 hour walk.
Journal Entries:
#1 - Ooo, pretty palm tree
#2 - Oo, another palm tree
#3 - My, that woman is too old to be driving
#4 - Wasn't this road under construction 3 years ago when I last walked here?
#5 - meh, another palm tree
#6 - omg that is the last woman in the world who should be allowed to wear yoga pants!
#7 - Have I really passed 5 Walmarts on this walk?
Maybe a walk in NYC is more inspirational than a walk in Florida lol
twoharts wrote: try a personal project. like shooting homeless people. or downtown buildings. or whatever. make your own coffee table book to show off to people.
or team up with someone who has a vision.
for my part i pick up my camera when someone pays me to do it and then i know what i have to do which is make them happy. i'm not overly keen on shooting for free anymore.
This is what I've done. I have two personal projects coming up. One of them is an interest of mine, the other, not so much. That one is to do Fashion/Glamour photography. I have no real interest in being a Fashion photographer or a Glam photographer, and have mentioned this to everyone involved (no false pretenses). But, it's my utter lack of interest, or knowledge of the subject, that has peaked my interest. Because I DON'T want to do it, I'm forcing myself to do it, to understand it, and challenge myself to create something from literally nothing. No instruction, no experience, no desire. We'll see how that goes starting this weekend.
So, what genre interests you the absolute least? Take that one, and convince yourself that you WILL make beautifull photos no matter what. Even though you don't want to. Challenge yourself.
I don't know how often you shoot but when I've gotten stuck in a rut, I went on a trip with my wife and left all camera equipment home. One week of not even thinking about a photograph does wonders for me. Thankfully it's only happened 2 times since 1985.
Whenever I start feeling blocked, I throw my little red p&s in my pocket and snap everything I see all day long no matter where I am or what I'm doing. Don't try to shoot good pics, try shooting fun, interesting, curious pics. Shoot weird, upside-down pics. I'll even set the timer and spin the camera on the wrist cord to see what I get.
I do this for days till I'm exhausted, then I look at them and think.
I go a little more crazy in the process, but it's worth it.
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