photographers block?

@sameroad (3179)
United States
February 16, 2009 9:29pm CST
Do you ever get photographers block? is there sure a thing as photographers block? because if there is... i think i got it.. Today i wanted to take some pictures since i haven't taken any in a while because i haven't really been able too. but today when i went to take some pictures nothing seemed to stick out to me. maybe i need a new scenery? but i just kind of feel like i can't find anything to take pictures of that is interesting to me.. I tried to take some of my dog but he didn't feel like modeling i guess... but even while i was trying to that it was kind of like "blah, i have so many pictures of him that look like this already" Do you ever feel like your stock? how do you keep going? how do you change up the same thing??
4 responses
@trickiwoo (2702)
• United States
17 Feb 09
I believe all artists suffer from a block now and then, whether you're a photographer, writer, painter, whatever. You'll find yourself in a creative slump at some point in time. There are a few ways I deal with a creative slump in my photography. One way is to just wait it out. Take a break from photography and concentrate on other things. Eventually something will inspire me. Another way to deal with a slump is to seek out artistic inspiration. I'll often visit an art museum and just absorb myself in art and creativity. I'm bound to see things in a different way and be inspired to go shoot something new... or something old in a new way. If you don't live near an art museum or the art museum is expensive or there's some other reason you can't go to an art museum, you can check out the website deviantart.com. There's so much amazing artwork on that website! Check out the photography, painting, sculpture, artisan crafts, culinary art, etc. galleries to really absorb yourself. My personal favorite way to get out of a slump is to buy new equipment! A new camera, a new lens, a new filter, etc. It works every time! Having something new to shoot with gets you out of a slump so fast! And your work will be pretty different! New equipment can be pretty expensive, but there are some cheaper items you could buy that could help. For example, pick up a cool special effect filter for around $20. Or get creative and think about items you have around the house that you could use to get different effects in your photography. Put a magnifying glass in front of your lens and shoot. I sometimes put Scotch tape over my flash and color the tape with markers to make a cool color filter for my flash. Another great way to get over a slump is to travel. Yes, you can go across the country or even across the world... which is great fun, but not always practical. So maybe take a day trip, travel an hour away or so. Or you can always stay in your town, and just visit somewhere you've never been before. Like a park or a cemetery or even a really cool old building. Go new places! Whether it's down the street or far away... just go somewhere! You'll find new things to shoot that will get you out of your slump.
• United States
17 Feb 09
i don't know if you call it block or more boredom. i was a combat photographer in the marines. when i got out i still loved to take pictures but it seemed like i was forcing my shots and nothing ever satisfied me. everyone else loved them, but they just wasn't right for me. so i quit taking pictures, sold my cameras and got away from it. now i am getting to where i love photography again. sometimes you just have to get away,either from what you used to shooting or from it altogether. i hope it is the latter for you, because it seems you still love it. maybe a different style is what you need. maybe catching some action photos, something that might challenge you to get your mind off of your block. find some kids playing, a ballgame, something like that. hope this helps
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
17 Feb 09
I don't get that but I get writer's block. I'm just not inspired some days and I've had a really bad week-just can't get motivated. Have you tried playing with settings on your camera? Maybe take some black and white pictures or use the night setting for day pictures? Could be that the interesting results could pique your interest.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
17 Feb 09
When you are creative I think this happens to all of us. I know many times I am in the middle of sewing a quilt and then the interest is just gone. This is where discipline comes in.