What should I do when I lose interest in photography for a while?
Asked 12/10/2010
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2 answers
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I'm an amateur photographer and photography has been an enjoyable hobby for a long time. I have a DSLR, several lenses, flash, and tripods, and friends say I have a good eye. But for the last three months I've barely picked up my camera and I haven't been interested in photo articles or galleries either.
I'm wondering whether this is just a temporary creative slump or a sign that I've moved on from the hobby. Should I sell my gear, let it sit for a while, or try to actively get inspired again? What are some practical ways to tell the difference and rekindle interest in photography?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
21
I'm currently in a similar kind of a position (because of or despite the fact there is beautiful winter outside). And I think, as mattdm said, project is the way to go.
But the hardest part in having a project is starting one. What helps me to get started is:
- Have a clean memory card, full battery and any lens attached to your camera.
- Leave your camera in the place where you spend the most of the time, e.g. on your desk, so it is easy to reach and constantly reminding/nagging you of its existence.
- Go through your own collection: re-organize it or tag it or rate it or add more notes to photos if you have done the rest already.
- Do not try to review your collection in one sitting. Do not procrastinate your ideas because you are re-organizing your collection.
I've found that going through your own gallery is one of the best inspiration methods, especially for semi-beginner hobbyist like me. What I look for is all the errors I've made; especially in focusing and exposure, since I try to shoot in manual a lot. Also it helps to see my usual type of composition and noticing it is the most important part in breaking it in the future.
When you get enough "I could do that better now!" kind of thoughts: pick up your camera in the spur of the moment and go shooting; you can continue your re-organization later on, it doesn't go anywhere. Now your project would actually be your blind spots you've noticed in your collection, and if you are as engineering-minded as I am, it could be mostly technical (rather than a theme/subject):
- Notice you mainly shoot at small apertures outside? Put your lens manually to the widest and go out.
- Notice you mainly shoot with flash indoors? Leave the flash!
- Always shoot in color? Turn your camera on B/W and do not rationalize you could do it in post-processing anyway.
- Always zoom to get closer to subjects? Attach a prime lens and make your legs your zoom.
What also helps my creativity is giving strict rules how to photograph. E.g. f4 100mm ISO1600 B/W, people outdoors, go! That forces you to think the photo more than the settings AND it is also inspiring if your rules are atypical for you. Follow your rules for a fortnight or for a month rather than few hours. After the period you probably have an interesting collection, which shows you the pros and cons of the settings.
So, in conclusion: I think the best way to get back to shooting is to realize you have taken a lot of bad pictures and to realize you can always learn more from photography. It is nice to hear you have taken few good photos, but don't leave it there. Be your own most brutal critic.
Originally by user1913. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1913
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A three-month lull usually isn’t enough to conclude photography is “gone” for good. Creative hobbies often come in cycles, and interest can return unexpectedly.
A good way to test whether it’s a slump is to give yourself a small project rather than focusing on gear or forcing inspiration. Pick a subject that already matters to you outside photography—another hobby, your work, a theme, a color, or an abstract idea—and aim to make a small cohesive set of images, a display, or a simple photo book.
To make it easier to restart, reduce friction: keep a charged battery, empty card, and a lens on the camera, and leave it somewhere visible so it’s easy to grab. You can also revisit and organize your existing photos, but don’t let that become procrastination instead of shooting.
So: don’t rush to sell your gear. Let the hobby breathe, try a modest project, and see whether making pictures for a purpose brings the spark back.
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