i am done...perhaps premature...

[Benjamin Marks]

I've tried massive sell-offs in the past. (although not of a collection as extensive as bills). Somehow I was always secretly glad when certain items didn't sell . . . Right now I need to sell some stuff to pay for a Mamiya II that I bought. I've come to the conclusion Bill has more intestinal fortitude than I. Sell the Pentax 67? No way! Maybe its time to let a Fuji 6x7 go . . .

 

[bmattock]

I've tried massive sell-offs in the past. (although not of a collection as extensive as bills). Somehow I was always secretly glad when certain items didn't sell . . . Right now I need to sell some stuff to pay for a Mamiya II that I bought. I've come to the conclusion Bill has more intestinal fortitude than I. Sell the Pentax 67? No way! Maybe its time to let a Fuji 6x7 go . . .

Not more guts, more broke. Need cash, and I am coming to the conclusion that all my photography sucks big-time. Time to start over. Maybe songwriting...

 

[FrankS]

Writing, Bill, writing. That and forming a photographers' rights group. Also, keep your favourite camera and lens, for old times sake.

 

[kbg32]

Bill, step back, have a beer or two, three even, play with some matches, but don't burn everything, then see how you feel about this.

 

[RML]

Bill, what happened? You were on your way to go "pro". Your photos didn't suck that much. 😛

 

[bmattock]

Bill, what happened? You were on your way to go "pro". Your photos didn't suck that much. 😛

The photos I take for money satisfy and delight my clients, and that's fine. I'll keep the dSLR. The photos I take to feed my soul are terrible, and I want to smash everything to pieces and start over, only I don't know where to begin.

 

[zuikologist]

The photos I take for money satisfy and delight my clients, and that's fine. I'll keep the dSLR. The photos I take to feed my soul are terrible, and I want to smash everything to pieces and start over, only I don't know where to begin.

Bill - keep the faith. Keep shooting and something will work.

 

[gns]

Quote:
[The photos I take to feed my soul are terrible, and I want to smash everything to pieces and start over, only I don't know where to begin.]

Who hasn't felt like that?

 

[Pherdinand]

The photos I take to feed my soul are terrible

That's because your soul is too big, too beautiful.
😛

 

[Pherdinand]

In fact, I think breaking or selling your gear coz you feel your photos suck is committing exactly the same mistake as when one thinks, buying more/better equipment will make his photos better.
Don't buy, don't sell. Use what you have, that's the only way out.

 

[back alley]

i say sell it all, gather as much cash as you can and buy one good camera and lens (more if the cash is there) and start fresh.

i did that when i joined here, went through my own soul searching and physic (sp?) cleansing and ending up being 'done'.

the plan now is to shoot, shoot, shoot.

joe

 

[bmattock]

That is an interesting combination. I'm curious to how you will use it. What are you planning to set on fire? Beer doesn't burn very well. Are you warming the beer before you drink it, setting fire to some twigs and then placing the bottles in the glowing ember?

Curious. Curious indeed...

I want to set fire to all my prints. I'd set fire to the entire world, but not enough matches.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[bmattock]

In fact, I think breaking or selling your gear coz you feel your photos suck is committing exactly the same mistake as when one thinks, buying more/better equipment will make his photos better.
Don't buy, don't sell. Use what you have, that's the only way out.

Not that better cameras or lenses will make me a better photographer. I know how to properly expose a frame, I have sharp lenses. It is the thought of smashing it all up, smashing my camera idolatry, smashing through my own indifference, destroying all frames of reference, forcing myself to try it all as if it were new again. I feel like it all has to go before I can get back to what I'm misssing, but the problem is that I don't know what I'm missing.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[enochRoot]

=It is the thought of smashing it all up, smashing my camera idolatry, smashing through my own indifference, destroying all frames of reference, forcing myself to try it all as if it were new again. I feel like it all has to go before I can get back to what I'm misssing, but the problem is that I don't know what I'm missing.

fight club?

 

[Pherdinand]

bill, i know what you mean, sometimes i myself, with a much smaller collection, feel i'm just another fool who gave up collecting stamps... The way of thinking and acting did not change nor did improve, just the subject is different.
But i must say, i thought you have all that gear because you like owning it and using it once in a while, not because you want to become a great artist. These are two separate things, collecting and using cameras and trying to produce photos that please you, thjey are linked only through pieces of metal and glass, and not necessarily by soul.

 

[back alley]

when i joined here i was at the end of a downward spiral.
divorced (again) and having no creative energy and just living with a restlesness that was infuriating to me.

i sold my medium format gear, bought the bessa r and 35/75 combo and started to shoot again.
then, discovered the canon p and screw mount lenses and now into the m mount stuff again.

long story short - i think i understand - and it's a matter of time and energy invested that will bring you out of the doldrums.

joe

 

[sjc]

Perhaps:

One must answer three questions:

What do I want my work to look like?
These are mostly technical choices- camera format, lens, film, print process.
After tons of experimentation with no judgement or self criticism, decide on some limited parameters and then have the discipline to stick to them. When all things are possible it is too hard to work.

What is my subject matter?
Perhaps during the above experimental mode you may find that you have been naturally gravitating to certain subjects. Maybe you are obsessed already by a certain subject and you should just give in to it. In a broad sense, there are really only four genres: Still-life, Landscape, Figurative, and Abstraction..


What am I trying to communicate to the audience?
This is where you finally allow yourself to get into critique mode and you rely first on your most trusted and insightful friends to give you their best interperative and evaluative comments.


How about some objective critique before the FIRE!

Steven

 

[bmattock]

But i must say, i thought you have all that gear because you like owning it and using it once in a while, not because you want to become a great artist.

Ummm, good points. Argh. Stop making sense!

 

[BrianShaw]

Before you do anything (sell equipment, buy equipment, divorce wife, burn house, etc) go see your doctor and get your medication adjusted! 😉

 

[bmattock]

Perhaps:

One must answer three questions:

What do I want my work to look like?

A thousand hearts breaking.

What is my subject matter?

Myself, of course. Only better.

What am I trying to communicate to the audience?

All is radio gaga?

How about some objective critique before the FIRE!

Fire is more fun. But thanks!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks