becoming jaded?

[Scheelings]

This is going to ramble a bit - but I'm going to put down for the first time - my view on photography, where I think I'm going wrong and I'm open to suggestions about how to get back on track.

I started photography 10 years ago with a simple Casio Exilim EX-s20 2 MB camera. It was the first time I'd left Australia and I bought it because I wanted a future record and to share my experiences.

Looking at some of my early work, I still really like some of the photos I took with that camera. They somehow feel more powerful than the work I do now - but perhaps its the 'memory jog' which is tricking me. (I'll post some later)

I like to think there are two main aspects to photography with one being technically proficient with the tool (including developing / workflow) and the other (more important) aspect, being able to recognize the precise moment when light and subject come together to form into the idea worthy of engaging the shutter.

Perhaps its because left brain and right brain compete for dominance - but usually a person is better at one or the other - yet I more often see the right brain (creative) more easily able to pick up the technical...

There is no doubt what I do now is technically better - I have a technical mind. The artist lags behind.

So having lived abroad in many different countries and cultures, photography seems the natural amateur hobby - yet now everything feels the same. I'm spoiled.

What may amaze others I no longer see - until I recognize it in others' photography and it makes me smile whilst being a little sad that an amazing world flows past me every day with evoking that sense of wonder. Am I just old?

I'll never give up photography - but I feel I've plateaued.

The good news is that even if I feel bored with the world outside, I still love looking at the photography here on RFF and elsewhere. The different styles, interpretations and ideas always inspires and amazes me.

I welcome everyone's views to this - whether they've gone through the same thing and how they changed their mindset.

 

[dfatty]

i suspect you're far from alone on this. i feel very similarly, that although my technical skills have improved, my artistic side lags far behind. i too look at pics i've taken years ago with lesser equipment and find that although they're not technically as good, they are better in other ways.

i guess i don't let this depress me because i accept that we're not all born with that artistic side to the same degree, just like some folks aren't so technically-inclined. so i try to improve, buy too much equipment, annoy people by taking a billion pics, and just try to enjoy it all without being too hard on myself. i guess some folks would say this isn't hardcore enough, but my goal is to enjoy, not to stress myself out with photography - it's not my job and i have no illusion of being the next HCB. and while my photos aren't the greatest, i enjoy the process of creating them and every once in a while there's that one that makes me smile. even if i took it by accident. 😀

speaking for myself, i guess this acceptance is what allows me to still enjoy the places i go to, even though at the end of the day i know the photos i take of them will greatly disappoint me, lol. it sounds like you know all of this - i hope you can find more joy, life's too short to be bored with everything. 🙂

 

[back alley]

i think that i'm getting better…i enjoy some of my recent images more than older ones…not to say that i don't like some of my older ones though.
will i ever be great? doubtful…talent/creativity is something one is born with and while i may take a better pic now after years of experience and trail & error with gear choices i don't really think my talent level has increased all that much.
so, have i reached my peak? maybe…but that doesn't dampen my joy at creating new images and hoping for that one or two lucky shots that will inspire you all with shock and awe!!! 😉

 

[btgc]

Getting to the point when one thinks already is a achievement. So no, your photography isn't worthless.

 

[rfaspen]

Ebb and flow! It happens with so much of my life's pursuits. I've learned to realize this phenomenon and make the best of it. Not only are there pulses of ability, opportunity, and readiness, but they aren't often in sync; that can make for some real highs and real lows. I realize that occasionally my limitations were equipment (at least for the vision I wanted at the time), and sometimes the limitation was my ability or creativity. The trick is to objectively evaluate this. And of course, sometimes I find that I took a darn nice photo. I try to revel in that too!!!

In general, my inner artist lags behind my technical ability too. My wife is the opposite. I'm glad to hear others have to deal with all this too. I'm a scientist by nature and profession, and although there are a lot of artistic characteristics to science, its not something we cultivate. However, I've known a lot of artists over the years. Some were fellow photographers, others worked in a variety of different media. A long time ago, I actually did photography for money. For the most part it was supplemental income. Those years forced me to at least attempt to be creative, and I did master much of the technical aspects of the work I was involved in. I did a smattering of product photography, studio and location portraiture, promotional photos for music and theatre, a little advertisement work, a lot of copy work (this was in the days before flatbed scanners), and I assisted one wedding and co-photographed another. I can honestly say that I hated weddings. No, actually I abhor weddings to the point of vomiting. Those were among the worst jobs of my life. On the other hand, I really liked promotional shoots of rock and punk rock bands. Depending on where the funding was coming from, it could be profitable and usually a very pleasant experience. Copy work was my bread and butter. Nothing creative about this. Before flatbed scanners, people hired me to make copy negatives and prints of old photographs. Often, there would be a whole extended family who wanted prints of great grandma and grandpa. I would shoot 4x5 and provide a negative along with prints. That was very, very profitable. If it weren't for flatbed scanners, I would still be doing that work as a supplement to my current job. Of course, my 4x5 negative and resulting prints would blow away anything people get from their scanners, but the general public doesn't care.

I wonder if the original poster (or others) can more reliably compose and expose a "keeper" nowadays? Just this evening I composed several shots that would have eluded me in the early years. What's more, I found myself a bit excited at the subjects and opportunites around me -- We had some rather nasty winter weather which is not typical for around here. That "new-ness" gave me a fresh eye as I went around town doing my usual daily chores.

No matter what, I guess I just keep taking photos....

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I agree with everyone's sentiments above. For me, I have moments of inspiration, and then long lapses of complacency. It's just one of those things that seems to only be remedied by getting out there, or trying something new. For a long while I was shooting mostly Leica M's, and my Nikon D700. I realized, after having an M9 for awhile, that I really don't find digital M shooting all that satisfying and that the process of film was more my style. I do, of course still shoot digital on occasion, but got rid of my M9 and held onto my D700. Anyway, even knowing that film is more my style for personal shooting, I still became somewhat uninspired, seeing the same scenes here in Denver and eventually stopped carrying my camera with me when I would normally always have it. I think I'm in the same boat as the OP in being more of a technical addict, where my "artist" side is only brought up by my technical ambitions. With that said, I've found that trying a new technique can really jump start creativity and bring out new parts of your underlying artist. After stumbling across some beautiful photos on Flickr, etc. and connecting with a few people here in Denver, I ended up diving head first into the world of wet plate collodion. It's time consuming, frustrating, technical, and difficult, but what it has really done is sparked my need to "master" the technical stuff again. It's a totally engaging process that will almost never be perfect, and I think it's that imperfection which is addictive in that it never becomes mastered, but simply honed. In any case, my personal cure for photography slumps is to just try something out of your comfort zone. I think you'll find that all of your other photography experience will flow into this new method, while still requiring plenty of technical learning. Slowing down your photography can sometimes lead to new discovery and new enjoyment.

With that said, I'm currently in a slump again...as I don't have the room in my new apartment for wet plate and haven't been ambitious enough to just get out and shoot....sad, sad, sad...but it'll be ok!

 

[Rodchenko]

From time to time, I come to feel that every image I capture is just cliched and has been done before many times. I find myself not pressing the shutter, but lowering the camera and walking on. Even when you feel you're being creative and original, it's hard to do anything which truly is different.

But I remind myself that, while I'd love to change the world with my photography, that's unlikely ever to happen, so I might as well just relax and enjoy taking the photograph.

Sometimes, when I stop trying so hard, the images come out better.

 

[ZeissFan]

I think this happens to many/most of us. I think it can happen if you shoot in one style only: Landscapes, portraits, lens wide open all of the time, and believing that one camera and one lens is all there is.

Of course, on the opposite side are those who chase gear, believing that the next best thing will enable us to make that jump.

Often, looking at photographs of others can help spark something in you that will enable you to look at the world differently.

No real answers. I think many/most of us are searching for that.

 

[CameraQuest]

This is going to ramble a bit - but I'm going to put down for the first time - my view on photography, where I think I'm going wrong and I'm open to suggestions about how to get back on track.

I started photography 10 years ago with a simple Casio Exilim EX-s20 2 MB camera. It was the first time I'd left Australia and I bought it because I wanted a future record and to share my experiences.

Looking at some of my early work, I still really like some of the photos I took with that camera. They somehow feel more powerful than the work I do now - but perhaps its the 'memory jog' which is tricking me. (I'll post some later)

I like to think there are two main aspects to photography with one being technically proficient with the tool (including developing / workflow) and the other (more important) aspect, being able to recognize the precise moment when light and subject come together to form into the idea worthy of engaging the shutter.

Perhaps its because left brain and right brain compete for dominance - but usually a person is better at one or the other - yet I more often see the right brain (creative) more easily able to pick up the technical...

There is no doubt what I do now is technically better - I have a technical mind. The artist lags behind.

So having lived abroad in many different countries and cultures, photography seems the natural amateur hobby - yet now everything feels the same. I'm spoiled.

What may amaze others I no longer see - until I recognize it in others' photography and it makes me smile whilst being a little sad that an amazing world flows past me every day with evoking that sense of wonder. Am I just old?

I'll never give up photography - but I feel I've plateaued.

The good news is that even if I feel bored with the world outside, I still love looking at the photography here on RFF and elsewhere. The different styles, interpretations and ideas always inspires and amazes me.

I welcome everyone's views to this - whether they've gone through the same thing and how they changed their mindset.

is your jaded viewpoint really about photography?
or about your life ?

Stephen

 

[Turtle]

Sometimes a person needs to take time time out. I find my creativity tracks the emotional ebb and flow of my life. There are productive, inspired periods and those where I feel and see less. I have learnt not to fight that.

Perhaps it is worth thinking not about photography, but about passion in the general sense? I find that when I do this, insightful images follow. They are the product of passion, not the source of it.

 

[Turtle]

I see Stephen posted almost exactly the same point as I was writing mine!

 

[mfogiel]

Photography is lots of things, all legitimate. As to which side of the brain - don't fool yourself thinking this is a fixed factor, you can rewire your brain with training if you only want.
A classic example of this left-right brain dichotomy are photographers who want to shoot "meaningful" images, which are also beautiful. Without straying to far, begin with HCB, while today, I like to follow these two:
Emmanuel Smague (French)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmanuel_smague/12339205743/
Maciej Dakowicz (Polish)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciejdakowicz/7044762977/

These photographers are performing constantly a balanced act, but it is not to say, that you are not legitimated to only seek documentary truth, or only pure beauty.
Get over the definitions, let the instinct and enjoyment guide your choices. Above all, continue to work ( make photos ), because this is the most important aspect of it all.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Honestly, so much angst, so little joie de vivre.

You'll be dead and a hundred years later, you'll be forgotten. Just get out and enjoy yourself and forget all the breast beating about art. Art doesn't matter, your own happiness does.

 

[Steve M.]

Like writers, we all go through this. You just have to keep on keeping on to get to the other side. No one is juiced up all the time. This is when disciplined work habits really come into play. When I was painting, which I still do occasionally, every day was into the studio to work. No phone, no internet, no distractions. Didn't matter whether or not I got something accomplished that day, I went in to work, and that's what I did. After a while it feels odd NOT to do this.

A change of locale or format sometimes helps. I switched to 35mm from bigger formats, and basically never go through this anymore. 35mm gives you such a small and quick camera that you can catch the world around you very easily, and that world is always different. Or you can set it up for a studio shot. Very versatile format.

 

[froyd]

Scheelings, could you be taking the same kind of photos over an over? It happens to me a lot. I have dozens of shots that were taken years apart and various locales, but that are ultimately variations on the same well trod theme.

The RFF gallery, W/NW threads, POW thread, etc are all inspirations for me to go after different types of images than I typically do. I don't advocate copying somebody's photo, as that would probably feel pretty hallow, but you could push yourself in directions heretofore unexplored. I do this a mental gymnastic: a way to keep my eye "in shape", but I then like to return to what I feel is "my style" of photography, enriched by new experiences.

I remember a college photo class called "seeing with the left side of the brain." It challenged us to see things with fresh eyes, a different perspective, and I still benefit from the lesson learned then.

Perhaps, new approaches (and sometimes even a new piece of gear--e.g. a different focal length, a different negative size, etc) might bring a breath of fresh air to your photography.

 

[Turtle]

Sejanus, yes, very true. The irony is that in taking that approach, the art usually improves. I find my creativity flow fairly well in proportion to the amount of love and passion for life in my life.

 

[michaelwj]

I'm a scientist by trade (optical physics), and this used to rule my approach to photography. I was technically proficient, and produced well exposed and constructed photos, but I didn't 'love' them. I had plateaued. I was bogged down in the technical nature of it all, and it was too much like work. Looking through images by famous photographers that I liked, I noticed that not many of them were technically perfect, but the images worked, and had a soul. I changed from a DSLR kit with the works to an M6 with a 35mm. I started to develop my own B&W. My photos are much less technically proficient, but they speak to me a lot more, they have more feeling, grit, soul. It is now far removed from my professional work, and I feel like I can express myself. It is great. I have also inadvertently and unintentionally shifted from predominantly landscapes to more environmental portraiture. I carry my camera with me more, sometimes I won't shoot for weeks, sometimes I shoot a roll an hour. Its a hobby, and I treat it like that - with no pressure to produce anything.
I am a member of a local camera club, and with my change in attitude, my photos went from being in the top few submitted (according to the judges) to the bottom few (often just the bottom). On the other hand, I've never had so many fellow members comment on how much they like my photos, and I've never got so much enjoyment from it.
That's my ramble. Hope it helps.
Michael

 

[cz23]

Michael, I like what you've written very much. I think it gets to the heart of the matter.

Practicing craft can sustain us only for so long. We have to go deeper and find some personal resonance with subject, projects -- whatever gives a sense of meaning and value. That inner dimension is what turns an otherwise enjoyable hobby into something that can engage and fulfill us over the years.

John

 

[__jc]

michaelwj - thank you - a most refreshing perspective and an excellent example of how to make lateral logic work for you.

 

[Scheelings]

Thanks for all the responses guys - they're really great and it's given me a lot to think about.