i want to buy something...

[MikeWebb]

Do something, do anything that will succeed. It can be as simple as tidying your work area, paint a door but success breeds success on an upward spiral and can start from almost nothing. The blues spiral you down. BTDT too many times.

 

[lynnb]

how about a photo project with the working title "creative slump" 🙂

You could post pictures of your TV set tuned to a channel that's off the air... or of the Dairy Queen... empty bottle of Jameson's...

Maybe it's time to do some diversional therapy like editing your neg/tranny/digital archive - sometimes going through old work can spark new ideas, or remind you of ideas you once had and had put aside or forgotten.

 

[oltimer]

Joe you live in some of the most beautiful shots of Canada and the US ever taken in Black and White photography. Yes, I know it has been shot before; but look how Adams did it forever to be remembered? Just load your favorite camera in film and go do it.

 

[maitani]

4.89$ buys you a roll of Tri-X.

Hard to beat for Magic in a can.

best advice ever, shoot film, create magic.

 

[Keith]

I've noticed you tend to be a serial offender with locations Joe .... which I am also guilty of occasionally!

Make a point over the next couple of weeks of 'not' taking photos in locations you've used previously.

 

[mfunnell]

I killed my "need to buy" by working out the best price on some batteries (always useful) and picking up some cheap camera bags. The latter because I've never had that particular bug 'til now, and I'm too cheap to experiment with expensive camera bags. On the bag-bug I think I'll thank you rather than blame you - at least for now. I don't like the ones I have (except for two, which are no longer produced) so experimenting is (I fondly tell myself) useful. I've even found a couple of cheap bags I like. But if I find myself thinking about expensive bags then I will blame you! That's much better - and easier! - than blaming myself. 😀

...Mike

 

[Gid]

A real 1st world problem 😡 I t happens to us all from time to time and you have to find what works for you. Buying gear is no solution. If you are really that bored, then go and volunteer at the local homeless centre or charity shop.

 

[Sparrow]

I've noticed you tend to be a serial offender with locations Joe .... which I am also guilty of occasionally!

Make a point over the next couple of weeks of 'not' taking photos in locations you've used previously.

I'll turn over three Oblique Strategies for you joe, it always works for me

ah, well I will when I find them.

 

[Sparrow]

OK joe the cards say ...

... "Ask people to work against their better judgement, would anybody want it? Take away the elements in order of apparent non-importance"

Although you could always buy a pack of Oblique Strategies cards I suppose 😉

 

[maitani]

another way would be, buying my RD-1 it's as cheap as it gets right now, in the classfieds.
and it seems like you have liked this camera in the past, from what i remember
it might re-kick you mojo in. free shipping for you.

 

[icebear]

Get yourself a Japanese knife sharpening stone and watch instruction videos how to use it properly. Once you get the hang of it, it turns out to be a very meditative action. Watch you fingers though! Take care of all you dull knives in the house. Something that usually gets pushed out or never taken care of. And once you have done it, check! Yeah!
You can of course reward yourself with a new pocket knife ... haven't you contemplated before about pocket knives, I think I remember something. Anyway, got myself a Kershaw Leek recently. Not a exactly a workhorse but fabulous opening action and pretty darn sharp out of the package.

 

[x-ray]

My wife's a painter and both of us go through these slumps. Having a creative spouse is a help because we understand what is happening and help each other out of it.

I'm the opposite of you, I have my kit that's basically what I've used for 50 years and don't have any desire to change. I realize my creativity comes from within not what's in my hands.

I don't know what you enjoy shooting but take one lens, one body and one roll of film and turn the computer off. If needed get a friend and go explore things you never have shot before. Shoot night photography or color if you're a B&W guy or whatever you rarely do.

Sitting on this forum is like an alcoholic hanging out in a bar talking about their favorite beer. You have to hang out with shooters not people obsessed with gear.

If you must buy something go out to antique stores and look for cameras under $25-50. Get an old box camera that takes 120, 620 or 127 and get some film and shoot. It's really fun to shoot with real vintage gear. Street photography with a box camera would be a blast. No one would even notice you. Actually I thik I'll try this.

 

[jsrockit]

500mm mirror lens

 

[mfunnell]

500mm mirror lens

If I wanted donuts in the background, I'd photograph a coffee shop 🙄

...Mike

 

[Godfrey]

Joe,

Send me your address. I'll send you a Polaroid Spectra and a couple of packs of film. Nothing can make you smile more than shooting a few pix with a Polaroid.

🙂

G

 

[Ko.Fe.]

This is why I like FSU RF and scale cameras. First you'll spend sometime to figure out how it should works. Then make it works as it should. One camera will keep you busy for months! Then lens. Jupiter-8, for example. I used several of them. They are all different.
And you would have to shim them, often as well. Which takes time as well.
You'll be busy, no time for melancholy.
And every film it is like new sensor. Plus different variations of it with each developer.
Ditch the digital, comeback to the film. This is where fun is!

 

[zuiko85]

Whenever I get into one of those moods, looking at ebay or B&H or KEH website and dreaming, then I'll always wait 24 hours before I pull the trigger. Ninety nine percent of the time the madness passes. My therapy has been shooting 4X5 on paper negatives. You need only minimal equipment, a cobbled together 4X5, a few holders, lens from an old Kodak 1A, and a set of 5x7 trays. Slow work at ISO 6~12 and quite relaxing, to me anyway. To be fair I already had all the paper and chemicals and trays and a dark place to screw in a red safelight.

Another thought. The finished product is something you can hold in your hands. Not some 1's and 0's stored in memory until and unless you print them out.

 

[paulfish4570]

this has been a wonderful thread.
godfrey, that offer of yours is magnificently munificent.
icebear, that idea of yours is superb. and it is nice to see anther knife man here.

 

[robert blu]

Buy a few pencils and try to draw that magical photo you would like to take...
robert
PS: probably you'll need an eraser as well😀

 

[back alley]

so many thoughts and ideas...all humbly considered.
i think what i would like to do is put together a small book or books of my favourite images...it's quiet work but it should occupy my mind a bit...not sure if it will be something from the local drugstore lab or maybe from blurb...i like both actually.