photographic phases

[FrankS]

Most of us have experienced a slump when there seems to be absolutely nothing worthwhile or interesting to photograph.

Some of us have gone through phases like Bill M has posted of, a time when we think our photography absolutely sucks and we are completely talentless and hopeless. I suggested to Bill that this could be an indicator of artistic growth.

If a photographer is blissfully happy and uncritical of his/her photographic work, where is the impedus or motivation for improvement? This type of phase could be an indicator of moving on/forward and seeing one's previous work as developmentally less refined. Better work is on the horizon.

I have the impression that many sincere artists struggle with these growing pains. Those who don't may not be self-aware or critical enough of their work.

Your thoughts?

 

[John Camp]

Of course, there is the other side of the equation: maybe the photos really *do* suck, and I'm a talentless schmuck. 😀

But it sure feels good.

JC

 

[FrankS]

Yes, absolutely, they do suck, but now you are at a point where you can reralize that. Before, they satisfied you, you were happy with them. Now you are moving on and you can see the developmentally immature work you had been producing. Now you are ready to push yourself farther.

(By "you" I don't mean you John or Bill, I mean us photographers.)

And we are all at different points in our individual journeys of creativity/expression/self-actualization.

 

[kbg32]

A teacher of mine many years ago put it this way " Think of depression as the digestion of your highs". We all hit low points in our careers, relationships, etc. I usually don't look at other photographs when I feel I need a dose of inspiration. Looking at others work only makes me extremely critical. As many of us find, inspiration can come from anywhere and begin with almost anything. Film and literature provides me with a lot of food for thought, which in turn, eventually, finds its way into inspiration. I read a lot of poetry. It always seems to help me.

Here's a rediscovery of one by Robert Creeley -

WATER

Your personal world echoes
in ways common enough,
a parking lot, common cold,
the others sitting at the table.

I have no thoughts myself,
more than myself. I feel
here enough now to think
at least I am here.

So you should get to
know me? Would I be
where you looked? Is it
hands across this body of water?

Is anyone out there,
they used to say, or was
they also some remote chance
of people, a company, together.

What one never knows is,
is it really real, is
the obvious obvious, or else
a place one lives in regardless.

 

[ch1]

There are certainly times when I think that there really isn't much left worth shooting. Kind of a "been there, done that" sort of feeling (or, as a cororallry - "someone else has already done that shot - and better than I can do").

I'd call it "photographic ennui".

That doesn't mean I think my shots (at least not ALL of them) "suck" but I begin to think they are all "banal". Similar but different.

Most times a change in environment - a trip or a visit to some kind of "photographic event" helps me break the negative mood.

But if you are an amateur like me, and have a workaday life most times, it is often challenging to find something new, exciting or refreshing to stimulate the creative impulse.

In fact, I'm feeling a bit of a slump right now. I keep intending to bring the gear to work and go out at lunch time and shoot some "street" but how many times can I circle the same few city blocks during an hour or so?

Hopefully, these "moods" are just the "darkness before the dawn".

 

[lubitel]

Its an interesting thought, and I hope you are right, because I have a lot of these "phases". But sometimes it seems I am taking steps backwards. Sometimes I know what I want and know why I am taking pictures, and sometimes it just seems pointless. sometimes it just seems like a habbit or a fascination with the cameras themselves.

 

[lubitel]

In fact, I'm feeling a bit of a slump right now. I keep intending to bring the gear to work and go out at lunch time and shoot some "street" but how many times can I circle the same few city blocks during an hour or so?

this is EXACTLY how I feel. Circling a few city blocks, and thinking "what am I doing"? I am no Winogrand.

 

[dadsm3]

I forgot I was depressed, thanks for reminding me , Frank. Misery enjoys company, so nice to know there's others who feel the way I do sometimes....spent all winter pining for the spring and some good weather to go shooting, now bogged down with work, kids sports, yardwork etc., and can't seem to progress from my snapshot photo mentality.......don't seem to be getting any better.
I think I'll take George's advice; hit that 1812 re-enactment, and take a vacation. I need a change of scenery.....

 

[JoeFriday]

I've been feeling the same way.. but just a few days ago, I was reminded that good photos can be anywhere

my girlfriend, who has been aware of my photographic enthusiasms since our first date, when I brought my Canonet along, has figured out the situations that I like to capture

well, this past weekend I was driving through my usual neighborhood, totally oblivious to what I see on a daily basis for years now, and she said "hey, that sign by the bowling alley looks really cool.. you could shoot that".. I drove around the block and sure enough, with the right light it could be really interesting.. the next day, she noticed a ivy-covered wrought iron sign over a cemetery gate that is begging to be immortalized.. in fact, I might do that right after work today

the point being, if you're not happy with what you have to photograph, it might be how you're looking

 

[FrankS]

Sure Brett, it's all about "seeing" not just looking.

"My girlfriend, who has been aware of my photographic enthusiasms since our first date, when I brought my Canonet along, has figured out the situations that I like to capture."

Lucky dog!

 

[kmack]

Am there, Doing that.
I have been looking at the kind of thing that I have been shooting and ....
Not sure what at this point.

In the last year I think that technically I have improved, but artistically I have yet to find my voice. Still looking...

 

[dadsm3]

Maybe that's what we need to make us feel better, Frank, a girlfriend! 😀

 

[FrankS]

You got that right, Mike. I envy Brett, I'm just not willing to throw away my current family. They're too precious. (Also, the cost would be too high.)

 

[dadsm3]

Lucky our wives don't read this forum.....
I'm feeling better already! Think I'll grab the M3, a few cold ones, sit on the deck and wait for that big storm that's supposed to be here soon. Probably get my best shot ever....and then get struck by lightning.....

 

[kbg32]

"Probably get my best shot ever....and then get struck by lightning....."

That would make a great self portrait! LOL!

 

[BudGreen]

Every time I take a photo that I'm satisfied with, I'm convinced it will be the last good one I'll ever take. Unlike with my day job, I feel I have absolutely no control over the elements that will bring success. That elusive nature of photography for me is what makes me grab the camera everyday on the way out the door, even though I know it will bring as much frustration as it does gratification.

 

[BrianShaw]

When I'm in a slump I just stop. Why worry the issue? When things start looking better, I start again. There are too many other interesting things to do so why cry about it? Phases come, and phases go.

 

[Ash]

I have a problem with those kind of ruts. Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't taken a single photo since january. maybe even december.

by photo I mean a film photograph. I've shot enough digicam-style pics with the 2mp cameraphone etc. No serious attempts though.

I was definitely in a slump, and then rangefinders caught my eye. They are the only reason I'm taking photo's again so soon, or else it may have been a long time.

 

[dadsm3]

Good idea Keith! Setting up the tripod, and holding up my 3-iron.....

 

[Jocko]

Forgive a hopelessly OT reply, but in another life I write about science history. Alchemy is a particular interest, and - as many psychologists have noted - the alchemical process or Opus has uncanny similarities to the stages in our own creative and spiritual growth.

In the essential alchemical process "Prime Matter" - in this case the photographer's creative spark - is raised to a certain level of excellence, but then, apparently at the verge of real achievement, somehow loses coherance and purpose. The "work" disintegrates, and falls back into a pointless, bland indifferent mess. But now the process begins again... and again.

This is called the Opus Circulatorum - in Lubitel's vivid words literally "circling a few city blocks, and thinking "what am I doing". It was symbolised by a dragon chasing its own tail - on one level an image of futility, but on another a sign of dynamic determination to answer your question.

Any creative artist will tell you that this is how you learn. The "depressions" mark the achievement of successive stages of development and the knowledge that yet higher goals await.
You may lose heart and give up for a time, but that in itself is a part of "the golden game": you'll be back - and the better for it. Keep on at the work and gold will emerge!

Cheers, Ian