msbel
Member
....is starting to shoot again.
I'm in that spot in my life where I need a creative outlet to stay sane. Did design a while back. Used to paint a bit. Yea, maybe even a short story or two. Then kids getting older, corporate job burnout, new relationship, move, and found myself a big grouch on the couch watching Bill Mahr re-runs.
So, yea.., shoot again. Again? It's been 25 years. I shot through college and after a bit on a banged up AE. Even developed film in darkroom the size of a doghouse (not tidy, but effective.) Photos were ok I guess... if I could find them.
Boo-hoo.
A vintage book of photos from a relatively unknown Italian photographer whose name escapes me inspired me a bit. Fanstastic 50's/60's b&w street/portraits. The stuff I like to shoot.
So I bought some used Leica RF equipment locally. I had held an M3 once and yes, it was eerie - I get the mystique of just holding an M. Ended up with an M6/35mm Summicron. Never used an RF before...guess I will learn.
Then it sat there.
It sat there in a an antique chest in our loft for weeks. I knew it was there but dare not pick it up.
I am paralyzed in fear of not being able to "see" images again - I look everywhere and just don't see them - those special moments in time that go unexplained, and the closest we can get is a quick image to give an inkling of the power of that emotional experience. You know what I mean better than I do.
I could go on but I won't. Probably wrote too much already. The bottom line is I am fear of shooting again. Can't really figure out why other than this block and fear of failure.
So I would like to hear from you all on how you stay inspired. How did/do you kick yourself out of the dregs to get back to the passion of it all.
I know some of the basics:
1. Just go shoot and experiment
2. Stop looking and let the images come to you
3. Stop obsessing
How about digging a little deeper?
Thanks from this first post'er.
MB
I'm in that spot in my life where I need a creative outlet to stay sane. Did design a while back. Used to paint a bit. Yea, maybe even a short story or two. Then kids getting older, corporate job burnout, new relationship, move, and found myself a big grouch on the couch watching Bill Mahr re-runs.
So, yea.., shoot again. Again? It's been 25 years. I shot through college and after a bit on a banged up AE. Even developed film in darkroom the size of a doghouse (not tidy, but effective.) Photos were ok I guess... if I could find them.
Boo-hoo.
A vintage book of photos from a relatively unknown Italian photographer whose name escapes me inspired me a bit. Fanstastic 50's/60's b&w street/portraits. The stuff I like to shoot.
So I bought some used Leica RF equipment locally. I had held an M3 once and yes, it was eerie - I get the mystique of just holding an M. Ended up with an M6/35mm Summicron. Never used an RF before...guess I will learn.
Then it sat there.
It sat there in a an antique chest in our loft for weeks. I knew it was there but dare not pick it up.
I am paralyzed in fear of not being able to "see" images again - I look everywhere and just don't see them - those special moments in time that go unexplained, and the closest we can get is a quick image to give an inkling of the power of that emotional experience. You know what I mean better than I do.
I could go on but I won't. Probably wrote too much already. The bottom line is I am fear of shooting again. Can't really figure out why other than this block and fear of failure.
So I would like to hear from you all on how you stay inspired. How did/do you kick yourself out of the dregs to get back to the passion of it all.
I know some of the basics:
1. Just go shoot and experiment
2. Stop looking and let the images come to you
3. Stop obsessing
How about digging a little deeper?
Thanks from this first post'er.
MB
