...

[misterx]

As of late I've been getting discouraged with respect to my photography. This fully sucks, as it's something keeps me going when nothing else will. Something that I always have enthusiasm for, something that I have a DRIVE to do, something that I like doing. To be honest it's my only hobby, my only outlet. That is probably adding to how hard I'm taking this. I don't know if something has changed, or if I've just progressed to a point where I find it important, but I'm starting to ask "what's the point?". It's one thing to do the photography, but it's another to feel like you're getting somewhere with it. I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

I try to avoid thinking about it, keep trying to dodge the feeling, but today it overwhelmed me and I'm pissed off and sad.

Comments

[eunoterpsiast.livejournal.com]

Usually, if you're having a hard time enjoying your favorite hobbies and activities, it's a sign of depression. Might that be the case for you right now?

Also... and I know this from personal experience, so forgive me if I'm off-base with this idea, as well... When you're trying to turn your hobby into a business, or when you engage in any activity which is of a personal and creative nature, if you see that people don't want to buy your work, you tend to take that "rejection" personally. I'd remind you that it's probably better for you not to fall into that mental trap. (Again... I do this to myself, so I know how others might, as well.) It's a self-sabotaging behavior, and one which won't improve your situation or your outlook, which is why I'd encourage you to stop...

I realize I don't say it enough, but your work so often amazes or touches me. I've seen many of the things you photograph, but you and your camera illuminate those images in a new and different way, causing me to have a different appreciation for them. So please, PLEASE don't feel like you don't accomplish what you're trying to achieve with your work.

The problem probably has more to do with finding the right market for your work, and customers who are willing to pay you what it's worth. But that market is out there...

I hope that makes you feel a little better today... :-)

[ianlyzu.livejournal.com]

sorry you're pissed off and sad.
crappy.
i think you're awesome.
so's your photography.
so there.

[nayad.livejournal.com]

i've had similar feelings about my painting. there are times when i run out of inspiration and think, "what's the point? why am i doing this?" it's usually a time when i'm at a plateau in my skills, and i'm not sure what to do to get better or to feel more inspired. i don't know how this would translate to photography, but when i've felt that way i've found it helpful to work on learning a different kind of artistic skill. i've also taken a break from visual art and done a different kind of creative thing for a short time. either way, the change tends to stimulate new ideas for paintings.

anyway, that's what helps for me, and i hope you'll find something that helps for you. your pictures brighten my day when you post them. :)

[roaming.livejournal.com]

Maybe you're forcing it? It's good to have goals, to have an overall notion of "progress" -- but I believe that when it comes to seeing what's out there, not just looking* there is no "getting *somewhere* with it": it is what it is, complete of itself. And all you have to do is let it be seen through you. *

*(which you do, all the time, so maybe it's no longer a thrill or a treat for you like it is for the rest of us, it's become mundane?)

Rilke has this to say about that:

". . . I feel that there is no one anywhere who can answer for you those questions and feelings which, in their depths, have a life of their own; for even the most articulate people are unable to help, since what words point to is so very delicate, is almost unsayable. But even so, I think that you will not have to remain without a solution if you trust in Things that are like the ones my eyes are now resting upon. If you trust in Nature, in the small Things that hardly anyone sees and that can so suddenly become huge, immeasurable; if you have this love for what is humble and try very simply, as someone who serves, to win the confidence of what seems poor: then everything will become easier for you, more coherent and somehow more reconciling, not in your conscious mind perhaps, which stays behind, astonished, but in your innermost awareness, awakeness, and knowledge. You are so young, so much before all beginning, and I would like to beg you, dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. Perhaps you do carry within you the possibility of creating and forming, as an especially blessed and pure way of living; train your for that - but take whatever comes, with great trust, and as long as it comes out of your will, out of some need of your innermost self, then take it upon yourself, and don't hate anything. . . . "

[marasca.livejournal.com]

Yuck. I've reached this point too at different times with photography and pottery. With both, it's been when I reached a level of competency where I was able to produce nice works without too much difficulty, and just that stopped being interesting to me anymore (not that I'm a master potter or photographer, but, you know, I can make a round bowl, and take photos that aren't crooked snapshots with people's heads cut off...).

What really helped me get through that with pottery was changing instructors, and moving into class where there were others who were more advanced than me, doing more experimental work. Maybe it would help you to join a class or workshop to improve your skills and meet other photographers who are jazzed about their work and challenging themselves? Or if there aren't any of those around, maybe there's a local photography club where you could help out beginners? Or take a weekend trip someplace you haven't been before just for the purpose of exploring it and taking pictures there? Or just set yourself challenges to do things that are different from what you normally do?

[zeppo-marx.livejournal.com]

I've gone through a couple of periods of this already. One was seasonal-dependant - winter just sucks for doing the sort of photography I tend to do. The other was also a plateau where my pictures all seemed to me to be the same.

Given that it is pretty much my only hobby these days as well (family taking up the remaining spare minutes of my life) it really had me down. What I wound up doing was joining into a couple of theme contests like photofriday.com to force myself outside of my regular subject matter, and then I just stopped shooting much for a bit. I still carried my camera in case a photo presented itself, but I didn't go looking for them. I kept going for walks (my activity that accompanied shooting), but not with any expectation of taking pictures. And after a few weeks I found myself shooting again, and enjoying it again.

Hope that you can get past your hump too.

[natf.livejournal.com]

*hug*

I know how you fee sometimes but I take photos so rarely these days that I really enjoy it each time.

Anyway - I am sure that the other Ansel used to wonder what to do next with his photography, as well!

I just wish that I could afford to paper my condo/flat with your pictures!

*hug*

[natf.livejournal.com]

take a weekend trip someplace you haven't been before just for the purpose of exploring it and taking pictures there

That is what does it for me. Or go to a zoo or park or beach that I have not been to before.

[natf.livejournal.com]

I just found this link about artwork/drawing and depression. I can identify with it a lot and, for me at least, it does seem to apply to my photography as well as my artwork. I thought of you and this post as I was reading it and thought that I would share it with you.

[subtlesabotage.livejournal.com]

It's sounds like you're suffering through a creativity block. That truly sucks because you are so talented. Perhaps it's just a minor depression that will soon pass? One can hope.
I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[theweary.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
no seriously *HUGS*!
That sucks, big time, to feel that way, about something you enjoy so much. I know what it's like tho, having gone through it several times about my creative things...
Are you still stuck in this feeling or has it passed? It could be some depression eeking in.. as others have mentioned. It could be you need something to really inspire you .. I know there has to be something that you've NEVER done before with photography... just a thought tho..
I hope you're okay..
hang in there.

[papayas.livejournal.com]

i completely understand how you feel. we all get to the same point sometimes.

there are a few things that i'd recommend (as my opinion), but when you read them, please remember that i say these things as a person who doesn't really know you very well.

first, do you have a specific goal in mind for your photography? are you doing it for yourself, for the joy of creating? are you doing it for money? do you want be able to quit your day job and support yourself with your photography? do you want to have a gallery showing? it's important to ask yourself these questions every now and then to make sure you actually have a chosen goal, instead of feeling like "nothing's happening." having a specific goal in mind might help you feel more successful in reaching it. one man's idea of success differs from another's...

second, i see your work and i see how you get out and take pictures. continue to do this. like other have said, push yourself to go to new places and try new styles/ideas/challenges/approaches.

if you are not already a member, i highly suggest that you become a member of flickr. some people are put off by the idea of it when they first hear about it, but honestly, there are many truly amazing, gifted, talented, and creative people who post regularly to flickr. it is an unending source of inspiration. i'd recommend signing up for flickr, learning the ins and outs of it, and really exploring. i think you might be surprised at what kind of inspiration you might find there.

i will send you an invitation.

good luck...