"Give up!"

Is it your inner voice or just self-doubt about the results you're currently getting that tells you to give up photography? If you're in a rut, why not visit some art galleries and read about art history - anything that will help to broaden your vision.

regards,
 
No, I don't hear these voices and if they want to start saying something, I tell them to "SHUT UP!"
I'm in the very lucky situation that I live in the NY metro area and this is street photography mecca.
 
With me, it was more a question of becoming bored w/ the whole process. Even though I do all my own film developing and printing, I've grown tired of relying on the manufacturers for every step of the process. From film to printing paper, it's an unfortunate reliance on materials and machines that other people build.

As a painter and etching printer, I can do it all myself, from making my own charcoal, paints and paper, to building my own etching press and inks. So after the initial interesting and challenging part of photography was learned, such as figuring out how to get consistent results developing and printing, figuring out lighting, filters, film selection etc (which took years by the way), I just got tired of pointing the camera and pushing the button. I need more involvement and control over the image, instead of delegating that to the people who made the lens, the shutter, the film, the enlarger, etc. It would also be nice to see the image develop right in front of my eyes like a painting or drawing, rather than taking the shot and then developing it and printing it, only to see it appear in the tray all ready made.

This train of thought came up when I was laid up sick for a few weeks recently. That gave me a lot of time to look at things in a little different light, so I'm taking a photographic hiatus and going back to what I used to do. I look forward to the simplicity of drawing and painting, and the re involvement in image making that is more about discipline and observation, w/ a bit of craziness and sloppiness thrown in too. You can make a nice drawing on very large paper in 5 to 10 minutes, and I really enjoy making mistakes and crumpling up the paper and trying it again. There's just too much tight a**ness to photography, not enough fun or left brain activity for me, and that is readily observed by the big difference between photographers I have met vs painters.
 
I volunteer at our local theater doing promo shoots and shots for advertising. The man in charge, a friend, always wants these difficult shots: giant DOF, extreme low light with movement, ridiculous stage lighting (gels of blue, red and purple). Finally I convinced him to do some simple portraits, but if I had to work like he wants me to, I'd 'give up.' One of the portraits:

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Not a bit of it.

I probably would if I were trying to be a "photographer".

But as it is, I just like shiney toys. Old shiney toys, not digicrap. They make nice sounds and are delightfully mechanical. I love to build and adapt photographic contraptions just for the fun of it.

Sure, I take pictures with my cameras and inventions sometimes. But, I have no dreams of being a great or even a good photographer.
 
I'd give up, but darn it that next shot might just be the one......
Actually I had "The One" and it's hooked me for life. Now if I could just get another.
 
I'll never give up photography of my own free will.
I've given up on the market in journalism a few times. And then it calls me back every year somehow.
I'm going to shoot what I want and what I deem is important to me and my subjects. Then if I can create a market for it, good for me. If not, I'll have a hopefully compelling collection of images that might turn people's heads and make them think about where they live a little longer.
No, I'm not giving up. I've had some incredibly hard times I'm I haven't given up yet.

Phil Forrest
 
To borrow a sentiment that almost all amateur golfers know well, it's that one good shot that keeps you coming back.

If it takes changing cameras, formats, sensors, lenses, or films to do it. So be it.
 
I listen to that inner voice when it tells me I can do better...I then look at what I have, see how I can improve on it and apply that knowledge next time...been doing that for over 30 years...you can always get better...if you give up, I guarantee you'll never get better...
 
Some times i expect to much from photography and give up, but find a good solution for myself. I write on my cameras "Keep shootin" because i must remember my first and most important motivation - taking pictures. Simply ask yourself for what you love photography and concentrate on it. Taking pictures in new way of view, new city, new cameras. I know that one day there will come a day when I do a photo, which make me wonder again and recharge my batteries.

Georgiy.
 
Never. See Barnwulf's quote of Giacometti in his signature: "I now work only for the sensation I have while working." That's me out with a camera. The result is only part of it.
 
Hsg said:
Do you sometimes hear an inner voice telling you "give up on photography!"?

Do you reflect on the fact that you have been trying for such a long time and yet you're still where you begun, and your photos never leaves you satisfied?

How many cameras have you tried, how many lenses have you tried, how many times you have used other accessories to make yourself happy but you're still unhappy with photography and want this and that?


I read somewhere that the definition of madness is trying the same thing and expecting different results, and I see that approach to photography is disturbingly similar to what every photographer that I know of is doing including myself.

Just some reflections, that I thought I'd share.
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Yo dude..... Try taking up fishing... ;)
 
Hsg said:
Do you sometimes hear an inner voice telling you "give up on photography!"?
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Nope, not in the last 5 years or so. Prior to that I took a break for 10 years (after getting a BFA in Photography). I don't stress these things... if I'm not interested or satisfied, then I don't do it. It really is that simple.
 
In some sense I've given up. That said, I don't expect my pictures to match certain trends, categories or belong to certain school. I set my subjects, timelines and use whatever I want. I'm not in the race for cup, so yes, I've given up from others point of view.
 
yanchep_mike said:
I never give up, i take pictures for myself mostly and only have to please me really, so i am on a good wicked.
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Hi Mike. Agree entirely with the sentiment. But to keep our unique dialects of English alive, we need to resist spell checkers. I think you mean you are "on a good wicket." :)
 
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