Author Topic: totally disillusioned (Read 8342 times)

Andrea. · « **on:** October 06, 2009, 02:09:55 PM »

Apologies but I feel I may get some therapy here. I seem to have reached an apex / corner or something in my snapping. I have just come out of the darkroom having produced nothing that I like. Not even a little bit. Not one.
I have been using an 8x10 a bit which is big and cumbersome - and it doesn't really do it for me. Lith printing is far too long winded I find. 35mm is ok and med format is great. I don't really do landscapes or 'sharp' and straight snaps arn't for me and as a result I'm a bit lost.

I need some inspiration or something. I might add, one thing I don't want is 'stuff' - like more cameras.

Any therapists out there?

tinm@n · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:23:03 PM »

All I can say is I think everyone has patches like that, I certainly do. I'd personally try and get away from trying too hard at it and do something different for a change

Heather · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:59:26 PM »

Stop using the 8x10, send it to me, stop with the lith printing... do something totally different like some colour or something.

Take some vitamin D supplements or eat some nice oily fish high in vitamin D - it's getting darker rapidly down here in the south and it's certainly making me feel a bit down and grumpy.

Do some more self portraits?

choppert · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:05:37 PM »

Hi Andrea

Set yourself the task of taking the worst (and most amusing) photo you can, making sure all cliches are available.

Thumb over the lens, person's head missing, your feet as you walk along etc

Pin a print on the wall and then compare your stuff to that.

Might not help, but it would be fun doing it! And that way your images will be like mine!

Chops

Nigel · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:11:03 PM »

What works for me when I feel like this, and it took me a long time to realise this is - go simple.

Pick one camera you really like using preferably something really simple to use, a Holga or similar would be great. Go out somewhere you really like so even if you don't take any shots you know you're going to have a good day. Get some colour print film that you can just send off to Snappy Snaps or equivalent, and play, don't try to be artist. It's often easier when you think about it less. Or should I say it is for me.

Good luck.

roryot · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:53:07 PM »

Take a break. Step away from it for a while - maybe a month. Have an idea of what you would like to do when you get back to it - some simple project, but then turn the photography part of your brain off for a while. I did this after exhibiting in July, and have really only got back into it last week. And it's great - in love with photography again! I got drunk a few times in between too, that might have helped.

Francois · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:18:49 PM »

I know trying too hard to produce just makes things worse. Sometimes, we need a bread from the everyday. Taking things easy might be the best option. Shooting color for a change is a great idea since it gets you thinking differently. Going to the museum to see paintings and sculptures can be nice also. Anything to get your mind off "production photography" for a while.

Build stuff for your cameras (accessories, etc.) gets you working with your hands and not thinking about the final image. And you may stumble onto something to revive your photography.

If all fails, learn to play the guitar

LT · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:45:03 PM »

I have no answers Andrea, just a lot of empathy. I'm going through the same thing. I've not been in the darkroom since may. Not even a shiny new Bessa III has got my creative eye a-twitching.

$:-\$

moominsean · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:56:53 PM »

sounds like you are making it too much "work" and not doing it just because you enjoy it. i try to not take it all too seriously and have some fun. that's why, while i'm interested in fancier cameras, i don't use them much. i don't want the process to take over the enjoyment of snapping a shot (aside from shutter speed, etc.). just step back and think simple for a bit.

gregor · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:05:44 PM »

Ditto on what Sean said. Sometimes a short trip can make a big difference - even a day or half a day trip - to a location you haven't been to for a long while (or not at all) can get the inspiration back - both while in a different environment and in your usual environment.

Snap away and take the pressure off yourself and enjoy your art.

New gear certainly isn't the answer !

astrobeck · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:17:59 PM »

I go through periods of "funk" like this too, and usually do what others have already said, plus I find myself perusing books of photographers and artists that I like.

Sometimes it helps to jump medium and just look at paintings, blown glass or other types of handcrafted work to spark new energy into the mix.

Hope this helps because your work is always inspiring to me.

Heather · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:59:14 PM »

I have an idea!

Come down to London for the next FW meet to go oogle the polaroids in galleries

Andrea. · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2009, 06:17:41 PM »

Hey thanks all. Just managed to prevent throwing myself off the edge of the carpet!
Will peruse these ideas again as they are all useful and interesting.
Will let you know how I go on.
A

Later...
feeling better now. An island photog came round and told me my snaps were ok. We then meditated on that over a dram or two of Aberlour single malt. eh!

This was one of the snaps I wus playing wif in the darkroom earlier... [Hasselblad/Panf/R09/some sort of paper]

[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

vicky slater · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:47:37 PM »

Andrea, I used to fight it, worry over it, get frustrated with it.....now i just think of it as a chance to think rather than act....the worst that can happen is you never take another picture and become a marathon runner, or something, instead....I'm sure I'll just give it all up one day and think the last five years have been like an illness :)

and that is such a good pic!!
:)

LT · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:24:49 PM »

Quote from: vicky slater on October 06, 2009, 10:47:37 PM

....the worst that can happen is you never take another picture and become a marathon runner, or something, instead....

or maybe even a coach for the British Olympic Cycling Team ... Erm, hang on, aren't you that already???

db · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2009, 04:16:43 AM »

Reading your post, it's interesting that all you are talking about IS the gear and the processes.- Not the images.

In rough times, I try to only dream about the things I want to photograph and then work back from there. The subject will usually be based around people or things I love, but that are outside of my photography life. Then I choose the format, the film, the process that seems right for that project, rather than the other way around.

Of course after all that I go 'ah.. ****', and grab the Diana and a roll of Tri-X, same as I always do

Andrea. · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2009, 09:15:07 AM »

Feeling happier today - if a bit groggy!

db - you are right. this is the right way forward.
Leon - I WAS the track cycling coach at the Velodrome in Manc. but not now. I just look from the sidelines now.
Andrea - you are such a tart!

Everyone else. Many thanks, I shall just imagine my pictures for a while.

Ailsa · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:56:21 AM »

Enjoy your break from photography - if that's what it turns out to be (whether it lasts a day, a week, or a month).

Any chance I'll be seeing you at the velodrome for the World Cup Classic at the end of this month...?

original_ann · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2009, 12:40:03 PM »

This happens to all of us! To each his own, but go with it. Take a break and let the image making come back to you. It's the universe naturally guiding you. Perhaps this isn't a major shooting time, it's a time to look, listen and sharpen new visions. I love, love getting lost in the bazillions of photoblogs out there. Peruse them and ideas sprout forth (not copies, just new fresh ideas). Same with the photo podcasts - oh how they inspire!!

Cheers to you

Andrea. · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:14:33 PM »

Quote from: Ailsa on October 07, 2009, 10:56:21 AM

Enjoy your break from photography - if that's what it turns out to be (whether it lasts a day, a week, or a month).

Any chance I'll be seeing you at the velodrome for the World Cup Classic at the end of this month...?

I will enjoy the break. Looking forward to snapping again already tho since the sun is shining and I have to take a doggie [she's called Ghriet since you ask ] out for a stroll on one of the beaches in 30 mins time.
Oh, and no tis a pity but won't make it down to WC since I went to Velodrome a few weeks ago on the way back from Cornwall - and that's enough for the year. Still got my staff discount in the cafe tho! Shall be with yo in spirit and on tinternet! Say Hello to the people [inc. Lord Hoy, Mr Swift, Princess Victoria, Ms McGlynn, Mrs Hunter etc] there for me please :-)

LT · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:32:23 PM »

well - thanks to this thread, I;ve broken my problems with Darkroom attendance - I'm well chuffed with the results too - thanks Andrea!

Andrea. · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2009, 07:36:46 PM »

Do we get to see them :-)

gothamtomato · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2009, 07:57:11 PM »

Don't know if I'm too late to jump in here, but I agree with a lot of what's been said: Take a break from photography, go to museums, look at paintings, read, take some good walks, etc. And I'd add to do all of that, but without an end or aim in mind. Plus, draw. Draw with your good hand & draw with your opposite hand. Just play.

When you start shooting again, do the same thing: Just play. No pressure. No expectations.

Whenever I get blocked, I always find that it's stress that's at the root of it. Sometimes the stress creeps up on you in a way that you don't even realize that that's what it is until it's a huge weight around your neck. And with the economy the way it is now, it's sooo easy to put too much pressure on youyrself to make every picture/print count because images are so expensive to produce.

And if all else fails, sometimes you just have to follow the advice (one of my favorite TV quotes of all time), 'Just pull down your pants and slide on the ice.'

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #23 on:** October 07, 2009, 09:37:29 PM »

I find a move away from the camera and using my eyes for a while just to see whats going on. Eventually there will be something that takes my interest that then leads me down yet another creek or back alley.

I find letting go is the best form of creative therapy.

The single malt plan sounds pretty good to.

Although, to pick me up my itunes on random played me some Jimmy and Chisel singing about SE Asia, and you would have to be older and Oz to know what that's about, but it f'kin rocks.

LT · « **Reply #24 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:03:43 PM »

Jimmy and Chisel? Are they a bit like Chaka Demus and Pliers?

ha de ha ha

Francois · « **Reply #25 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:16:32 PM »

Quote from: leon taylor on October 07, 2009, 10:03:43 PM

Jimmy and Chisel? Are they a bit like Chaka Demus and Pliers?

ha de ha ha

Well, listening to that is sure to put either a bend or a notch in your day

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #26 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:17:23 PM »

Leon and the philistines

This was typed while wearing cotton lint free gloves during a scan-a-thon

really weird stuff

db · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:57:24 PM »

Quote from: leon taylor on October 07, 2009, 10:03:43 PM

Jimmy and Chisel? Are they a bit like Chaka Demus and Pliers?

ha de ha ha

Leon is only pretending not to know the reference. Ken, He's only mild-mannered on the outside.

But for everyone else, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmyEv4n8ERI
I think Jimmy and Don Walker were experiencing a similar ennui when they wrote this

Get it into the darkroom, hit play, and turn up to 11. That would un-block most people.

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2009, 11:03:50 PM »

Chisel, the great unblocker, sold in all good darkroom supply shops everywhere, Led Zepplin and RUN-DMC sold separately

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2009, 11:30:55 PM »

Quote from: db on October 07, 2009, 10:57:24 PM

Quote from: leon taylor on October 07, 2009, 10:03:43 PM
Jimmy and Chisel? Are they a bit like Chaka Demus and Pliers?

ha de ha ha

Leon is only pretending not to know the reference. Ken, He's only mild-mannered on the outside.

But for everyone else, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmyEv4n8ERI
I think Jimmy and Don Walker were experiencing a similar ennui when they wrote this

Get it into the darkroom, hit play, and turn up to 11. That would un-block most people.

Don you'll forgive me for doing a "I know a better one" on you, however this is the same song and same clip but actually includes the ending.

db · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2009, 12:01:25 AM »

Quote from: ken182 on October 07, 2009, 11:30:55 PM

Don you'll forgive me for doing a "I know a better one" on you, however this is the same song and same clip but actually includes the ending.

What is? The link you forgot to post?? hmmmmm? bahhh- Pedant- go back to your scanning and your Bronski Beat

(is there a chance this thread has drifted somewhat?)

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2009, 12:09:21 AM »

Quote from: db on October 08, 2009, 12:01:25 AM

Quote from: ken182 on October 07, 2009, 11:30:55 PM

Don you'll forgive me for doing a "I know a better one" on you, however this is the same song and same clip but actually includes the ending.

What is? The link you forgot to post?? hmmmmm? bahhh- Pedant- go back to your scanning and your Bronski Beat

(is there a chance this thread has drifted somewhat?)

Try this then MR Neatest Most Correct Entry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKl0hEw-INQ&feature=related

Bronski Beat gets the same response from me as the Beatles - who?

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #32 on:** October 08, 2009, 01:13:06 AM »

I'm glad this has all ended well, Andrea (and apologies for the unexpected foray into the annals of Aussie Rock

)...since I'm late to this thread, but have just come safely through my own mini photography crisis (more of which on an upcoming podcast I'm sure) I thought I'd chip in and say that my solution was to put down all my film cameras for 3 or 4 months, ditch any thoughts of 'artistic' photography and concentrate solely on family snaps using the camera in my Nokia phone. A lot of times I didn't even use that. Fantastically liberating.

Thanks to Skorj San (Grand Master Filmwasters, Tokyo Chapter) we Wenns now have an absolutely stonking Richo GR1s p'n's for the family snaps and I've dived headlong into using my Tachihara 5x4 field camera. I read that using LF would slow me down and has done. I can now do a solid 2 hours of photography-ing, expose a paltry 3 frames and love every second of it.

Boo ya!

Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes. · « **Reply #33 on:** October 08, 2009, 09:57:36 AM »

Quote from: ed.wenn on October 08, 2009, 01:13:06 AM

I've dived headlong into using my Tachihara 5x4 field camera. I read that using LF would slow me down and has done. I can now do a solid 2 hours of photography-ing, expose a paltry 3 frames and love every second of it.

Boo ya!

Ed, this is an article of a legendary Aussie photographer who died a year or two ago, the last four lines are significant to LF comment.
Wolfgang Sievers

The photo he is talking about is this one:

Gears for Mining Industry

Author Topic: totally disillusioned (Read 8342 times)

astrobeck