why do i do this?

[Canyongazer]

Lack of inspiration is very disturbing, no doubt.

I've been there, too, Joe.
It was about 20 years ago. After 30 years total immersion in photography as student, practitioner and teacher, I had run out of ideas, energy, interest and, worst of all, I had lost my enthusiasm, THE most important element of my teaching style.

At the urging of my department chair I took a photography workshop and then, eventually, seven more over the course of a decade plus.

The ones that, for me, re-lit the passion were those conducted by Elizabeth Opalenik, Lucien Clergue, Keith Carter and, especially, Paul Elledge.

None of these four photographers had anything to say about camera equipment.

For those like you and me, who have spent many, many years as passionate devotees to photography, it is very painful to be in the doldrums.

Consider a visit to the websites of the photographers above (sadly, M. Clergue is no longer with us) and/or take a look at the catalogue offerings of Santa Fe Workshop and The Maine Photographic Workshops.

Admittedly, these workshops are expensive, but attending one can potentially have a greater and longer lasting positive impact on your work - and psyche! - than a new lens or camera body.

It worked for me as it has for many others.
Maybe it would work for you.

CG

 

[back alley]

a workshop sounds like a great idea actually.
i should look around locally and maybe a bit further as well.
i've been to info sessions at trade shows but they leave me wanting...usually more about gear than photography.
if i save a few bucks something more exotic would be nice too!

 

[back alley]

a workshop sounds like a great idea actually.
i should look around locally and maybe a bit further as well.
i've been to info sessions at trade shows but they leave me wanting...usually more about gear than photography.
if i save a few bucks something more exotic would be nice too!

 

[Tim Murphy]

We all do what we want or wish to do

We all do what we want or wish to do

Dear back alley,

Myself, I'm on the cheapskates path to a National Geographic cover.

I always aspire to a better camera, and/or lens that will allow me to take better nature and wildlife pictures.

It's a fool's quest I know, but if I need some extra dough to help me along I'm sure I have a collectible fly rod or two I can liquidate, if need be?

The bottom line is that to me is if you enjoy what you are doing and no women, children, or dogs are harmed in the process then it's all good.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Scapevision]

From the latest posts I see that a certain trend appears. Retirement. Having an abundance of time on one's hands together with access to this forum and its gear related talks always seems to make people think about buying some new gear. Cut one from your life and I'm sure you won't be thinking about gear as much.
I come to read this forum every day at work, mainly of boredom, and each day someone is asking for which camera to buy to add to their x amount of Ms. Rarely anyone asks how to make better photographs.

 

[back alley]

From the latest posts I see that a certain trend appears. Retirement. Having an abundance of time on one's hands together with access to this forum and its gear related talks always seems to make people think about buying some new gear. Cut one from your life and I'm sure you won't be thinking about gear as much.
I come to read this forum every day at work, mainly of boredom, and each day someone is asking for which camera to buy to add to their x amount of Ms. Rarely anyone asks how to make better photographs.

most folks are more willing to converse/argue about gear than images.

 

[Michael Markey]

Rarely anyone asks how to make better photographs.

That`s because the majority are confident of their work .

 

[FrankS]

Do whatever makes you happy as long as you aren't hurting yourself or others. Stop doing whatever makes you unhappy whenever possible.

 

[:: Mark]

That`s because the majority are confident of their work .

I doubt that is true for most people here.

Talking about photographs is much harder than talking about equipment. People can talk about equipment because it is external to them. Talking about photographs is much more personal and subjective, both for the photographer and the viewer - and this is always going to be more problematic. This is also likely connected to why comments on Flickr etc are usually little more than bland comments...

When I get stuck, it is not usually because I have run out of ideas, but because I have run out of confidence to go out and try them. It is very very hard to take good photographs - contrary to what most people seem to think - and it is easy to get dissolusioned.

My solution is usually to try a regular project, committing some regularity to making and showing images. It helps me get out and try ideas rather than just thinking about them (or worse, thinking about gear, when what I already have is more than capable...).

 

[back alley]

i wonder how much time most people commit to their photography per week or month?

 

[Canyongazer]

...My solution is usually to try a regular project, committing some regularity to making and showing images. It helps me get out and try ideas rather than just thinking about them (or worse, thinking about gear, when what I already have is more than capable...).

Mark: Strongly agree.
CG

 

[noisycheese]

do what?

why do i think so much about gear and less much about photography. why do i think so much about any of this stuff?

a big part recently is that i have a lot of time available for thinking. so even if i were to quit the photo thinking there would still be lots of time for thinking about other things.
also, i recently tore a calf muscle and walking is very painful...actually i pulled it 3 times over 3 weeks...damn it hurts. it also makes me favour my other side which is already painful from an arthritic hip. nothing but losing...

anyway...today i was thinking about all the gear i have owned and if i were to redo the adventure what might i wind up with?

for film...a canon f1 plus a t90 body...and a few lenses.
also for film...2 mamiya 6 bodies and all 3 lenses from their kit.
for digital...i do like the fuji gear so i think that would remain the same...i would have kept 2 rd1 bodies and every damn lens i ever bought for them!!

It's not as complex an issue one might think: When you love something, you think about it. A lot.

I do the same thing - I am practically always thinking about some facet of photography.

 

[Talus]

I recently heard some very good advice: if you can't make yourself happy, try making someone else happy. There are so many ways to get involved with NGOs, community service groups, etc. You're bound to run into good people that are like minded and lift you up.

 

[kshapero]

Do whatever makes you happy as long as you aren't hurting yourself or others. Stop doing whatever makes you unhappy whenever possible.

secret of life, me thinks.

 

[burancap]

Sorry, I did not read the whole thread.

Because you can't shoot all of the time? And so, because photography is such a considered venture, one tends to think about it when you're not. It is a consuming pleasure.

 

[jamesbf]

I Know this is gonna sound messed up to some people, but I was the same way for a few years, but then in March 2015 I bought a Leica M240 and 35mm Summicron and it changed everything. I don't really lust after anything photography gear wise anymore. Its wonderful.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Gear is absolute, images are very subjective, making the conversations either positive or subject to personal interpetation. It's easier to deal with x number of megapixels or y number of focus points than it is to try to make a case for a given image.

On the other side of your post, yeah, arthritis is slowly improving my photography of the back yard. Too beat up to go much further. BUT! We gotta keep on truckin'. Take the workshop idea and run with it.

 

[xayraa33]

Well Joe, thinking about photo gear is easier to do than doing actual photography that is meaningful and satisfying to you.

We are all a little guilty of that.

 

[Talus]

Well Joe, thinking about photo gear is easier to do than doing actual photography that is meaningful and satisfying to you.



We are all a little guilty of that.

Agreed.

As long as the photograph making takes precedence, I don't mind saying "variety is the spice of life" when it comes to gear. I love experimenting with gadgets.

 

[back alley]

I recently heard some very good advice: if you can't make yourself happy, try making someone else happy. There are so many ways to get involved with NGOs, community service groups, etc. You're bound to run into good people that are like minded and lift you up.

been there done that...
it's my turn now...