Suffering from Photographer's block....

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steve garza

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I'm close to finishing my photo class here ay Santa Monica City College and I'm having trouble with the final assignment. Not sure if it's just getting tiresome in having to produce images at someone else's behest (the instructor of course), or if I'm not creative enough to come with any ideas. One of the problems is I'm not doing the assignment I really wanted to do. The original intent was to produce a photo auto biography. But in order to be done properly, it would have been intensley personal. I don't think the instructor would find it appropriate for class. So I chose an assignment which is to make images that display the characteristics of "Loud and Quiet". So far, I've come up with crashing waves, couples looking off into the sunset, etc. I'm considering using color to exhibit loudness as well. I found a garishly painted (purple and yellow,) muffler shop which looks loud to my eyes. Anyhoo....just venting my frustrations.....any ideas to stimulate the juices are gladly welcome.....
 
Steve, photograpy "on demand" is tough and often disheartening. It's not even close to wedding photography. There you know immediately what the couple want because they tell you. Commercial photography you can see what the client has liked in the past and start to explore what they require from that starting point.

School projects are difficult because they are not based on any continuity nor on immediate feedback. You put your best foot forward, submit and then either get a good mark or bad one. It’s tough and I can understand being at a juncture.

I’d suggest you ask if the instructor will give you some idea of what he likes by going over portfolios of different topics but where the work was meeting his criteria. Then at least you know where he might be coming from. Shooting in the dark is definitely hit and miss.

If he’s not available I’d take the time to see if someone else has taken the course and discuss the project with them they might have insights.

The important thing is to just go out and start shooting. Then edit , then ask a friend to look it over. Often I find my most popular shots are ones I didn’t like! Viewer tastes are inexplicable to me, however they are the final arbiters.

I’d say just start shooting. Then sort , then review ,then submit. Don’t think too much, and don’t read too much into my comments either, because I may be wrong.
 
I found with the art course I did that it was never easy to get a final piece. Best thing is definitely brainstorming.

Course, to pass each unit we needed at LEAST 3 ideas, and research on all 3 before making a choice on one for the final piece. I'm used to having to blag that kinda thing.

Just sit down and doodle. Brainstorm, think of a few words and link from that. Go out and shoot a roll of film in your camera of people you know, just rubbish pictures that aren't one thing or another. Look through the photo's and maybe you'll find a concept from the mistakes.

With the illustration unit I found my style to use from a doodle of the character from the short story. With lens-basesd imagery I used a song I liked and linked in visual media into a music video. Drawing and Painting I used mix-media of a face and an applecore that came from a doodle.

Generally my ideas come from when I'm relaxed and let my mind run. Otherwise when I'm TAKING photo's it's down to spur of the moment ideas to get the juices running
 
Don't bug the instructor. The assignment is clear. Brainstorm with others, use your imagination. Make lists of loud things/situations, and quiet things/situations.

person yelling, ...

church interior, ...
 
Consider photographers who have worked with photography and audio/visual. Or even look into drawing on film, using mixed media and various other effects
 
All great suggestions......I just had such a tough time yesterday getting started. Usually, I get out there and start shooting like crazy after a few frames. I'll just get back on the horse so to speak. Thanks for the feedback.
 
Hi Steve, think about any of the following;

A band practising in the garage with their amps, drums, etc.
Moss and lichen.
A five corner intersection.
Wildlife.
A big box mall.
A library.
A hotel.
A country bed and breakfast.
An airport.
A hiker.
A jackhammer or construction site.
A toothpick(s), popsickle stick(s).

Use your imagination and experience to juxtaposition the elements and the images in an interesting fashion. You see it all the time in films but you want to be looking for it or it just passes you by.
 
Mime, demolition site, loudspeakers, mute swan, cemetary, grave site, empty grave, morgue, blast furnace, town cryer, church bells.

For "loud colours", how about a clown, custom car show, pimp.
 
Double or triple exposure of loud speaker (moved slightly for each exposure) I'm guessing the instructor would like to see the demonstration of various photographic techniques, so try a slow shutter speed with a large truck driving by, as well.
 
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I had thought of the loudspeaker as well....Ilike Frank's suggestion on exposure...perhaps I'll tweak tweak the idea a little....turn my stereo up and remove the speaker cover in order to show the bass speaker thumping....
 
steve garza said:
I had thought of the loudspeaker as well....Ilike Frank's suggestion on exposure...perhaps I'll tweak tweak the idea a little....turn my stereo up and remove the speaker cover in order to show the bass speaker thumping....
Click to expand...

That will just blur. Discrete exposures may be more effective, certainly it will demonstrate another photo technique. Printing the same neg 3 times on the same photo paper with movement between each exposure will do too.
 
A flash set to "strobe" or "multi" may get the vibrating speaker look.
 
Uptil now, the suggestions have been made of situations that are loud or silent. Figure out a way to throw in what the impression is of someone undergoing such situations. Work on peoples expressions. Like what's it like to need to keep ones hands over ones ears.. or what's it like to need a hearing aid. And how about someone working with a chainsaw, ever look at how they keep their face? Would make great photo's..
 
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