I guess it's official- I'm in a slump

[Gdad]

So here I am in Destin Florida for work right now and have been since Sunday afternoon. Beach town- nice hotel- and all week after 5pm it's nothing but me-time. I have not felt much like taking pictures in general lately- so for this trip I decided to do something about it and brought along pretty much my whole kit thinking all this solo time in a new town might spark something creative. Unfortunately it's now Wednesday morning and I have not even opened my camera bag yet. Every morning I keep thinking maybe I'll do some shooting that afternoon- then when the afternoon comes I'm just like meh- don't feel like it. Last night I actually brought some extra work back to the hotel to keep me occupied- I mean really- what's wrong with me? This is a first for me- for the last five years or so since getting back into photography I have been pretty much consumed with it as a hobby and this would have been a dream come true.

Anyway- enough about me- do you ever get in a slump? How do you get out of it?

[10dedfish]

I often travel extensively for work, and there have been several times where I just didnt want to go out and shoot anything. I find that this usually happens when I'm in Hawaii or Guam, both prime shooting spots. To beat this, I usually try to nap for a short time, then force myself to head out and look for "THE SHOT", and by the time it gets too dark to shoot, I've started kicking myself for not coming out and shooting earlier. Its usually as easy as just getting into the car and driving around, I can usually find something to inspire me.
As a long time follower of the board, I've seen several examples of your work, and it would be a crime for you to stop shooting. I have to say that you do inspire me to go out and try different shots, setups, compositions and other things that I might not normally try.
So, hang in there, and just get out of the hotel room.

Matt

[YesDear]

Jeff I think any of us who have been photographers for a number of years have felt what you are feeling at some time or another. I ran into it during the film years several times because of the added processing expenses. Digital changed that alot.

You are in a beautiful place to take pictures. Take a P&S with you so if you see something that interests you, you will have something with you. Then you may go back and get the gear.

And..... if you decide photography is no longer for you let me know! I will help you find a good home for your stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup2

[Frantasmic]

IMO, you pressured yourself with all your equipment. In that particular instant (your trip), you probably suffered from "performance" anxiety so to speak. Pick one lens and go out along the beach at sunset and grab what comes up without worrying about lighting or lenses, etc.

When I get tired of taking pictures, I usually turn to my Canon S5, knowing I don't have the best equipment with me, reduces my own expectations. I've gotten some really good shots just hanging out with my backup stuff.

[rtphokie]

So here I am in Destin Florida for work right now and have been since Sunday afternoon. Beach town- nice hotel- and all week after 5pm it's nothing but me-time. I have not felt much like taking pictures in general lately- so for this trip I decided to do something about it and brought along pretty much my whole kit thinking all this solo time in a new town might spark something creative. Unfortunately it's now Wednesday morning and I have not even opened my camera bag yet. Every morning I keep thinking maybe I'll do some shooting that afternoon- then when the afternoon comes I'm just like meh- don't feel like it. Last night I actually brought some extra work back to the hotel to keep me occupied- I mean really- what's wrong with me? This is a first for me- for the last five years or so since getting back into photography I have been pretty much consumed with it as a hobby and this would have been a dream come true.

Anyway- enough about me- do you ever get in a slump? How do you get out of it?

Go down to the front desk, find the rack with all the tourist brochures and find something you've never done before, preferably something you'd never think of doing.

Some ideas:


Destin History and Fishing Museum (http://www.destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org/)
Camp Walton School House might make for some good photos (Ft Walton)
If you are into aircraft at all, I've heard good things about Air Force Armament Museum (http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/) (Eglin AFB)

[annnewjerz]

I'm trying to work my way out of a slump right now, so I can feel your pain! Since we got back from our trip to Disney in December, I just haven't felt much like shooting anything. I didn't take any pictures at Christmas, I took hardly any on our trip to Boston in January, a few family birthday parties and picnics have passed in the last few months and nothing. No desire to even bring the camera along just in case.

Finally, we had an engagement party to go to last weekend and my cousin specifically requested I bring the camera to get some shots of her and her fiance. Since I was asked to bring it, I figured I should probably use it and as soon as I started snapping away I remembered why I've had so much fun over the past two years learning more about photography.

Am I 100% back into it? Nope. But after a 4 month hiatus from the camera even coming out of the bag, the urge to get out and shooting is coming back---slowly but surely!

Good luck! I don't know how I will be able to sign onto Flickr every day knowing in advance that I won't see anything new on your stream.

[NateNLogansDad]

Destin Florida? Nothing good to shoot there. It's a good thing you're not doing the scavenger hunt this month. I don't care how good you think you are, there's no way you could get 10 shots there tonight.

[RBennett]

Destin Florida? Nothing good to shoot there. It's a good thing you're not doing the scavenger hunt this month. I don't care how good you think you are, there's no way you could get 10 shots there tonight.

Niiiice... :thumbsup2

[WDWFigment]

Welcome to my world every day of the year that I'm not in Disney. Seriously, if I showed you guys the stuff I take around here, you'd think I have no abilities whatsoever.

My advice would be to just live and let be. I know that when I try to 'force it' when I'm in a slump, I only end up with crap. You'll come out of it sooner or later, at which point you'll still be kicking all of our *****. In the past hasn't eBay helped you get "inspiration"?

[WillowBelle]

I typically slump once the leaves fall off the trees and it gets cold. To me it's just ugly out and I am completely uninspired. That said, normally when spring comes around I turn into a heckuva shutterbug. This spring hasn't bee that way.

I'm like Ann, have been to many family functions (Christmas also) and haven't had any desire to bring the camera along. DH give me the :confused: when he says 'are you going to bring your camera' and I just sigh and say 'no'.

I think sometimes you've just gotta take a break, refuel, clear your mind of all the pics that you've taken, and then start new.

[Uncle Greg]

Destin Florida? Nothing good to shoot there. It's a good thing you're not doing the scavenger hunt this month. I don't care how good you think you are, there's no way you could get 10 shots there tonight.


This is exactly how a friend of mine gets me out of slumps.

Personally, I don't think he could even get 5. :confused3

[photo_chick]

I'm in the don't preassure yourself camp. I find that if I force myself to go out and shoot I'm never happy with what I come back with. There is nothing wrong with not picking up the camera for a little while.

That said...I like the museum at Eglin but not as much as the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, though that one is an hour from Destin. Or make the short drive to Seaside, where they filmed the Truman Show. Nice little beach town. Go to the pier in FWB. If nothing else there's always oil nearby to shoot.....

[NateNLogansDad]

This is exactly how a friend of mine gets me out of slumps.

Personally, I don't think he could even get 5. :confused3

Shame too. I haven't been into photography for all that long and I'm going to seriously kick his **** on the assignment. I guess it's time for the older crowd to step aside and let the next generation come up in the ranks.

[Uncle Greg]

Shame too. I haven't been into photography for all that long and I'm going to seriously kick his **** on the assignment. I guess it's time for the older crowd to step aside and let the next generation come up in the ranks.


Looking forward to watching the kicking.



*pokes Jeff with a monopod*

[NateNLogansDad]

*pokes Jeff with a monopod*:rotfl2:


He's offline now. Maybe he's taking a nap. :confused3

[Pea-n-Me]

I was really hoping to see you (and some of the rest of you) on the Summer Assignment.

I was in a complete slump this past winter. Hardly took my camera out at all (don't enjoy shooting in the frigid cold with everything gray, etc).

I upgraded my gear in March, then baseball season started. :goodvibes That got me going again. But I have to say - I haven't had this much fun with photography in a long time as I've had finding the Scavenger Hunt items.

I'm sure if you gave it a shot you'd bring your own unique and special interpretations to the mix. Why don't you try to get a few? I'd especially like to see some with your Sigma primes. ;) Pick some of the more challenging items or some of the ones we haven't seen yet. I know you can do a great job.

[Uncle Greg]

:rotfl2:


He's offline now. Maybe he's taking a nap. :confused3



Well, he's certainly not out shooting.

[WVDisGeek]

Jeff,

I feel your pain. I have been in a slump like Ann since our trip to Disney in December. I took a field class on landscape shooting this spring hoping it would jump start things, but not as much as I had hoped. I shot an old hotel this weekend, but the card is still in the camera. I just haven't had that "aha" moment. I did what you did in May. My wife and I spent a week in Ormand Beach and I brought everything I had. I think I took the camera out of the bag twice. My really crazy season at work is coming up and I am afraid the slump will last until our cruise in December. I am hoping that something will jar me out of it, but right now, I am not sure.

Wish I had something more encouraging to say, but I am sure based upon the pictures we have all seen from you that your tlent won't let you stay dormant for long. Best of luck!

[SrisonS]

Maybe try going out and shooting a subject you might not typically do. Not sure how much you might people watch, but you could end up getting some pretty interesting shots. If not, you'll at least be out enjoying the scenery or something.

It's kind of a gift and a curse being so close to Disney.... photography wise. I'll go to the park sometimes, and go to take a picture of something, then realize I already have a pic of it that was exactly as planned.... so I'll just move on. That's the main reason I started focusing on the people of Disney. It wasn't something I typically focused on; but it's great to try something different. And if it doesn't work out, or it's not my cup of tea..... then oh well.

[YEKCIM]

Been there...done that...couldn't find an appropriate T-shirt.

Every so often, I get burned out on photography, and have found that that happens with other hobbies I've had over the years as well. I think the culprit, at least in my case, is sometimes "too much of a good thing", as the slump usually comes on the heels of a particularly photography-intensive time period. The cure, for me, is sometimes to just put the cameras (or golf clubs or fishin' pole, or whatever) on the shelf for a while and concentrate on something else. Eventually, the "bug" bites again, and the D300 is glued to my forehead again.

Just my two cents.

~Ed

[NateNLogansDad]

Well, he's certainly not out shooting.

Been a while. Hope he's not at the pawn shop........

[Code]

I think I'm in the "Dammit I suck" phase of this graph (http://robertbenson.com/blog/2010/04/18/photographers-life-in-graph/). I'm in a slump too, but I think it's because life allows me virtually zero time for photography at the moment. Maybe the slump is that I'm not fighting to make time. Oh well.. need another solo trip to light the fire again, hehe :rolleyes:

[Gdad]

Thanks for the advice all- I did take the camera out yesterday around sunset and manage to get a shot or two I liked. I'll post them when I get home.

In the past hasn't eBay helped you get "inspiration"?

I was thinkin that also- maybe I'm just a gear-head at heart? :confused3

That's the main reason I started focusing on the people of Disney. It wasn't something I typically focused on; but it's great to try something different. And if it doesn't work out, or it's not my cup of tea..... then oh well.

I took this advice and did some candid people shooting yesterday. I always find that a little intimidating but I did it anyway.

By the way Scott- whatever the opposite of a slump is (on a tear?) is where you obviously are judging by your Flickr stream lately. Very impressive.

[NateNLogansDad]

Jeff, in all seriousness I hope things pick up for you soon. You have an awesome talent and have really been an inspiration. Looking forward to your posts and hopefully many more soon.

[Uncle Greg]

*poke poke*

[NateNLogansDad]

*poke poke*

OUCH!!!


Honestly, who has a metal spike on the bottom of their monopod?!?!?

[Icemann]

OUCH!!!


Honestly, who has a metal spike on the bottom of their monopod?!?!?

Mine does and I keep a sharp point on it to

[funkychunkymonkey]

Last time I got a slump I decided to make a ABC book. I spent a whole week running around my boring town getting each letter. Not only did it unslumpafy me it ended up being a cute donation to a local daycare LOL

[Groucho]

It's only natural to burn out a little after it being so intense for a while, with what looked from the outside like a nonstop parade of new and increasingly over-the-top gear, not just the DSLR stuff but the rangefinder(s), medium format, 35mm, etc, over the past couple years... I do that kind of thing sometimes, where I get rabidly into something and immerse myself completely then end up backing away and it becomes something that I like but am not obsessed about.

I would guess that post-processing also plays into it. For me, at least, post-processing is kind of a necessary evil. I love being able to make a "merely OK" shot into a "I love that one" shot, but all in all - I'm much happier actually shooting with the camera than tagging and post-processing. Unfortunately, once you get to the level of quality that you're at, you're not likely to be able to get away from it.

I say - don't worry about it. Give it some time and take photos when you want to. If you are forcing yourself, you might end up enjoying it even less because it'll feel like a chore.

Welcome to my world every day of the year that I'm not in Disney. Seriously, if I showed you guys the stuff I take around here, you'd think I have no abilities whatsoever.
:) I think that for a lot of us, Disney is our main photography outlet. I do some kid photos around the house and there are a few local places we go where I like to photograph, but there's nothing like a Disney trip to really rack up the shutter count!

It's kind of a gift and a curse being so close to Disney.... photography wise. I'll go to the park sometimes, and go to take a picture of something, then realize I already have a pic of it that was exactly as planned.... so I'll just move on.
I kind of feel that way and I usually just go once a year! I can imagine that it can get a little more challenging to be interesting when you're there any time you like. I skip a lot of photos because I'm satisfied with what I have... and I found myself taking some fairly similar night tripod photos as I have in the past last weekend. That might be part of the reason that I so enjoy using oddball lenses like fisheyes and the LensBaby - it's that much easier to produce a "new" photo.

I think I'm in the "Dammit I suck" phase of this graph (http://robertbenson.com/blog/2010/04/18/photographers-life-in-graph/). I'm in a slump too, but I think it's because life allows me virtually zero time for photography at the moment. Maybe the slump is that I'm not fighting to make time. Oh well.. need another solo trip to light the fire again, hehe :rolleyes:
:rotfl2: "The HDR hole" :lmao: :rotfl: priceless! :teeth:

C'mon - how busy can your life be? It's not like you have triplets or anything. Oh, wait...............! ;)

[funkychunkymonkey]

I love that graph. Does it count if you found a old disposable camera, half used insted of old film? Gonna use it up this vacation and find out what embarassing photos are on the roll>

[Experiment_626]

I like the museum at Eglin but not as much as the Museum of Naval Aviation in PensacolaI'll second that -- that place is awesome. If you go, take a wide-angle lens; the building is stuffed to the rafters with aircraft, and you'll be shooting close up to them. And give yourself a good solid day if you take your camera.

[NateNLogansDad]

Well, any better?

[ukcatfan]

Sometimes I find reading up on a hobby helps inspire me. Believe it or not, photography is not my main hobby (even though I am on here every day!) My main hobby is weight lifting/bodybuilding. When I am feeling like I am getting into a slump, I break out my copy of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding and it always makes me excited to go to the gym! There are some really great books on photography. Maybe re-reading one of your favorites or picking up a new book would help inspire you.

[MarkBarbieri]

It often happens to me this time of year. It's so darn hot out and the heat saps my drive. After our bitterly cold winter (it got down below freezing several times and dropped into the low 20s once!), I swore that I would be more tolerant of the heat. Still, it's hard to be motivated to do much outside when it is so hot.

I don't know that I get into slumps, but I do go for weeks and sometimes months without shooting. Life gets busy. My mind turns to other challenges. Two things usually bring me back - outings with the kids and new projects. I just about always bring my camera when we take a family outing and the kids are always photogenic. I also get excited about new projects like shooting a 3D video, shooting star trails, or something like that. I'm very goal oriented, so it helps for me to have a goal when I'm shooting.

Another slump causer can be stress. There certainly seems to be plenty to go around these days. My job has gotten extremely busy (you won't see much of me here for a while) an the spill in the Gulf has become a terrible calamity for me an many in my community. Those sorts of stresses tend to drive me either towards more photography as an escape or away from it as a way to simplify.

My advice is not to worry about it. Inspiration will come again. Sign up for a photo walk. Take the girls someplace photogenic and not too hot. Buy an interesting new piece of gear. It doesn't have to be expensive, just something that allows you to be creative - a lensbaby, some gels, or a blue/gold polarizer. Or make something interesting - a construction paper snoot. Or try something different - focus stacking, stacking shots to erase people, or something.

[MarkBarbieri]

Sometimes I find reading up on a hobby helps inspire me. Believe it or not, photography is not my main hobby (even though I am on here every day!) My main hobby is weight lifting/bodybuilding. When I am feeling like I am getting into a slump, I break out my copy of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding and it always makes me excited to go to the gym! There are some really great books on photography. Maybe re-reading one of your favorites or picking up a new book would help inspire you.

Weight lifting is a big hobby of mine as well. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, though. I use really high end carbon fiber weights because they are a tiny fraction of the weight of those cheap weights you find at most gyms. They don't give me that boring "Arnold" look. Well, more Arnold from happy days rather than Arnold from Conan.

[MassJester]

I wouldn't force it. The camera (or in your case, cameras :) ) will be there when the spirit moves you again.

[Uncle Greg]

Weight lifting is a big hobby of mine as well. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, though. I use really high end carbon fiber weights because they are a tiny fraction of the weight of those cheap weights you find at most gyms. They don't give me that boring "Arnold" look. Well, more Arnold from happy days rather than Arnold from Conan.

Carbon fibre...Haha!

[ukcatfan]

Weight lifting is a big hobby of mine as well. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, though. I use really high end carbon fiber weights because they are a tiny fraction of the weight of those cheap weights you find at most gyms. They don't give me that boring "Arnold" look. Well, more Arnold from happy days rather than Arnold from Conan.

I don't know what we would do without you Mark! :rotfl2: I hope the Gulf issue doesn't keep you away from us too long.

[Gdad]

Weight lifting is a big hobby of mine as well. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, though. I use really high end carbon fiber weights because they are a tiny fraction of the weight of those cheap weights you find at most gyms. They don't give me that boring "Arnold" look. Well, more Arnold from happy days rather than Arnold from Conan.

Win!

[Evad]

Jeff I have been in slump since last November with no signs of it ending. :confused3 My camera rarely comes out of the bag. I hope things change before my New York City / Cape Cod trip next month.

[tjl1388]

I usually end up in a slump after my sons football and daughters competitive cheerleading ends. I take 1500-2000 shots per weekend Sept-March and by the end of March I don't even want to look at my camera or lightroom.


I usually let it rest for a week or two and let the itch come back to me naturally.

[vandort]

How are you doing, Jeff? I miss seeing your photos posted in this forum.

[polkadotminnie]

OT- Which cheer team? Maybe we will see you at the competitions this fall?I usually end up in a slump after my sons football and daughters competitive cheerleading ends. I take 1500-2000 shots per weekend Sept-March and by the end of March I don't even want to look at my camera or lightroom.


I usually let it rest for a week or two and let the itch come back to me naturally.