How do you keep your photography fresh?

Plain Nev

Plain Nev

Vincent Furnier
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Neville
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What it says on the tin. How do you keep your juices flowing? I have been thinking about it this week. I'll explain. I have been shooting film a lot lately. But I'm finding a dearth of things to shoot. That, and being conscious of the cost of film has created a sort of paralysis in my photography that is mostly in my head. However, I have picked up my digital camera again this week, and am rediscovering the joys of dot and minus photography. It feels a bit like a breath of fresh air, and has worked for me. But what do you do when you get in a funk with your photography?
 
For me, rather like you've found, picking up a different camera - shooting film - or a different lens and challenging myself. Failing that, looking at some books or imaging website for ideas. Mostly for me it's just lack of time though, so trying to bring together the Time - Weather - Inspiration triad is hard.
 
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I agree with Lindsay, re look at books web sites.................look at your pics you took years ago, see how they can improve, see what has changed from the same viewpoint. Look at the kit you have, you may have a few old filters lenses that would like to be re-used.

You could always do the ABC challenge using your digital camera
 
Indeed, this is part of the reason for the 52, Season and DPOTY/FPOTY challenges - to get you out shooting to a theme if you have no ideas of your own.
 
Plain Nev said:
What it says on the tin. How do you keep your juices flowing? I have been thinking about it this week. I'll explain. I have been shooting film a lot lately. But I'm finding a dearth of things to shoot. That, and being conscious of the cost of film has created a sort of paralysis in my photography that is mostly in my head. However, I have picked up my digital camera again this week, and am rediscovering the joys of dot and minus photography. It feels a bit like a breath of fresh air, and has worked for me. But what do you do when you get in a funk with your photography?
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I've mentioned it a few times that I find photographers as interesting and inspiring as their photographs, maybe more so.

So, although I have a large collection of photobooks, I also read what photographers have written and watch videos of them being interviewed.

Although, I am primarily a landscape/wildlife photography, I find documentary photography a more interesting genre in terms of photographers. An example I've posted before is

theviifoundation.org

Video Collection - The VII Foundation

Welcome to the VII Insider video collection. For those unable to attend our regular live events, we record all our presentations and make them available shortly afterward. The collection has recordings on a wide range of themes and topics. We invite you to search and watch at your leisure. If...
theviifoundation.org


But I also search Youtube for particular photographers e,g I've just started search on youtube for Robert Adams, which has come up with several interesting videos
 
For me the 52 challenge provides some extra motivation to learn, experiment and just take pictures.
 
I shoot full frame Sony, X100f and 35mm film.

I also shoot landscapes, sunrise, nice villages, street, night skies, car meets, general days out and dog walks.....

So I've got plenty to switch between and mix things up with :)
 
It's all about capturing / recording people and places and things and moments that mean something to me with a little bit of artistic licence thrown in sometimes. One thing that gets me more interested in picking the kit up is the lenses rather than the camera. The camera is mostly just a box to me but I like to research and try lenses, mostly old or cheap ones, and see how they compare and what their strengths and foibles are.
 
I just see stuff that interests me, and photograph it. Travel helps a lot, going to new places, feeling new sensations etc.

TBH I've actually found the need to 'find' a shot for DPOTY has caused me to lose touch with my natural inclination, and it feels like the quality of work I'm producing has really declined. Producing pictures to a brief is proving less ideal. Also having a second home that's the other place we always go to do work now has further reduced the spontaneity. That's not to say DPOTY is bad, far from it, but I need to manage it carefully.
 
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ancient_mariner said:
TBH I've actually found the need to 'find' a shot for DPOTY has caused me to lose touch with my natural inclination, and it feels like the quality of work I'm producing has really declined. Producing pictures to a brief is proving less ideal. Also having a second home that's the other place we always go to do work now has further reduced the spontaneity. That's not to say DPOTY is bad, far from it, but I need to manage it carefully.
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This is interesting and makes me wonder if we need an additional new kind of challenge; indeed I'm wondering about my idea of a couple of years ago to challenge people to produce a "panel" as per the RPS distinctions, on any theme and in any photographic medium and genre, to be voted on but with an annual timescale rather than weekly/monthly/quarterly; or even along the lines of the Zine challenge, 6-monthly with no voting. It's a separate thread so let's not disrupt the OP's thread, but if anyone wants to follow that up, please add to this thread
 
Ed Sutton said:
Projects. Taking photos for the sake of taking photos is a dead end. Having a reason to take photos keeps you thinking. Then ideas generate other ideas. The process is the same in all creative endeavours, as has often been said: the work generates more work.
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That's one of the reasons I suggested listening to/watching documentary photographers, talk about their photography, because it's always about the reasoning and drive behind the projects they have or are undertaking.

And while there would be no point in copying their projects, it makes me rethink my own photography and may help someone going through a dry spell to fall into the cycle you describe.
 
As Toni said I photograph things that I’m interested in, for me it’s nature and wildlife, even if I don’t manage to photograph anything I’m happy to just watch nature
In the summer it’s insects mainly dragonflies and butterflies even though I’m retired I don’t have enough time to see and photograph everything that I want to, even just in the UK there is so much to see and photograph
Am always trying new compositions and ways of photographing them, this year I’ve been trying to do multiple image (focus) stacks of damselflies in the field , it’s much more difficult than I thought but I keep trying, one day will get the perfect image
In the winter I switch to something different, zoo animals mainly big cats, there is always something new to see
 
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Sam Tip said:
Very true. This reminded me of an excellent short talk given by Constantine Manos.
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I've now watched this, and I think the big difference between this, and the sort of video I was meaning is that Manos is talking about "how" to make photographs.

The bulk of the videos at the VIII foundation link, are photographers talking about "why" they were making photographs, The story of, and the story behind, the project that allowed them to make the photographs they are talking about

The videos vary, and some are more technical, and some are indeed about techniques and gear, but most would be interesting and informative even to those with no interest in photography: while still producing valuable insights about photography for photographers, especially in terms of photography projects.
 
LCPete said:
As Toni said I photograph things that I’m interested in, for me it’s nature and wildlife, even if I don’t manage to photograph anything I’m happy to just watch nature
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This is crucial to me, The underlying reason I want to make photographs is because of the experience I get from being in the landscape or watching wildlife, and it's the experience that really matters.

EDIT: I should add, that I went for a long period, when the photography became more important than the experience, and I think I forgot the real reason I became interested in making photographs.
 
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As I am a camera club member, there is plenty of incentive to enter competitions and thus capture more images. We have many Photo shoots which gives plenty of challenges and opportunities. As a general aid to capturing new images travel is helpful which is something I do rather less at my age.

Dave
 
Meeting with other Photographers to chat and explore new challenges....
 
Keeping your photography fresh can be a fun and rewarding challenge.
  1. Try New Techniques: Experiment with different photography techniques, such as long exposure, macro photography, or black and white photography. This can help you see familiar subjects in a new light.
  2. Change Your Gear: Sometimes, using a different camera or lens can spark new ideas. If you usually shoot digital, try film photography, or vice versa.
  3. Set Challenges: Participate in photography challenges or set personal projects. This can give you a specific goal to work towards and push you out of your comfort zone.
  4. Explore New Locations: Visit new places, whether it's a different part of your city or a completely new destination. New environments can provide fresh inspiration.
  5. Learn from Others: Look at the work of other photographers, read photography books, or watch documentaries. Seeing how others approach their craft can inspire you to try new things.
  6. Join a Community: Engage with other photographers through online forums, social media, or local photography clubs. Sharing ideas and feedback can keep your passion alive.
  7. Reflect on Your Work: Review your old photos and think about how you've grown as a photographer. This can help you identify areas for improvement and new directions to explore.
  8. One Lens 1 week challenge
Remember, the key is to keep challenging yourself and stay curious.
 
I'm currently using a Zuiko 85mm f2 which I haven't used for a long time. I haven't got any keepers I'll look at for years in the last week but sooner or later some will I hope come.
 
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Me, if I fancy doing it I do. If I don't, I don't. I never force myself to go out if I don't feel like it. That way, when I do go out I'm always in the mood for it.
 
Dave Canon said:
As I am a camera club member, there is plenty of incentive to enter competitions and thus capture more images. We have many Photo shoots which gives plenty of challenges and opportunities. As a general aid to capturing new images travel is helpful which is something I do rather less at my age.

Dave
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Camera clubs can be great, if you can find a good one. I was a member of a club associated with a local company for a number of years, but that company closed their local office and the camera club sadly ceased to exist. I tried our local camera club and, apart from two people who spoke to me when I walked in, I was ignored for the rest of the evening. It was a competition night and the quality of images varied greatly as expected. That wasn't a problem but when the competition ended everybody just got up and left. No social element at all. I didn't go back and that's the only local club.
 
kt53 said:
Camera clubs can be great, if you can find a good one. I was a member of a club associated with a local company for a number of years, but that company closed their local office and the camera club sadly ceased to exist. I tried our local camera club and, apart from two people who spoke to me when I walked in, I was ignored for the rest of the evening. It was a competition night and the quality of images varied greatly as expected. That wasn't a problem but when the competition ended everybody just got up and left. No social element at all. I didn't go back and that's the only local club.
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Most of my 'photography' friends I've met through IG - that's a good dozen local people in total who I've met & shoot with too pretty regularly - we've got a bit group chat together, etc. Plus @gramps who I've met through this place.

I think IG & FB if you use them are worth looking into.

PS - Sorry, that wasn't a direct personal quote for you, just a relevant subject to your post :)
 
Faith Healer said:
Me, if I fancy doing it I do. If I don't, I don't. I never force myself to go out if I don't feel like it. That way, when I do go out I'm always in the mood for it.
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I'll second that approach and add: I always carry a camera, even if it's just my phone. I never know when I'll see something I find interesting...

Ariel racing car style sports car Clyst St Mary TZ70 P1040029.JPG
 
My mojo ebbs and flows. Time of year has a bearing on this, for example during the 'summer' months there's more motorsport events to attend, or if it's a nice day during spring or autumn I'm more inclined to go out and do some landscapes. The weather's been so bad of late that I've barely picked the camera up.

Sometimes I have a real downer on my photography in that it's not as good as I'd want it to be and this can stop me from going out and taking photos. Sometimes getting a new lens can help get out of the funk, other times it something as simple as seeing a picture and being inspired by it to want to go and do something similar.
 
How do I keep it fresh?
I don’t; I wish I could.

Seriously; there’s been times when I’ve phoned in an assignment. But felt awful afterwards so I do try to put some effort in.

I really want to take some half decent travel photos, but having a ‘holiday’ and taking ‘great photos’ appears to be cross purposes.
 
fusion07.miller said:
Keeping your photography fresh can be a fun and rewarding challenge.
  1. Try New Techniques: Experiment with different photography techniques, such as long exposure, macro photography, or black and white photography. This can help you see familiar subjects in a new light.
  2. Change Your Gear: Sometimes, using a different camera or lens can spark new ideas. If you usually shoot digital, try film photography, or vice versa.
  3. Set Challenges: Participate in photography challenges or set personal projects. This can give you a specific goal to work towards and push you out of your comfort zone.
  4. Explore New Locations: Visit new places, whether it's a different part of your city or a completely new destination. New environments can provide fresh inspiration.
  5. Learn from Others: Look at the work of other photographers, read photography books, or watch documentaries. Seeing how others approach their craft can inspire you to try new things.
  6. Join a Community: Engage with other photographers through online forums, social media, or local photography clubs. Sharing ideas and feedback can keep your passion alive.
  7. Reflect on Your Work: Review your old photos and think about how you've grown as a photographer. This can help you identify areas for improvement and new directions to explore.
  8. One Lens 1 week challenge
Remember, the key is to keep challenging yourself and stay curious.
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ChatGPT please give me eight ways I can keep my photography fun and rewarding :D

for me it's photobooks, learning about other photographers and their work, and being interested in and researching subject matter
 
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