Anyone else having a hiatus at the moment?

In my experience my photographic mojo can ebb and flow somewhat - when it wanes I try not to let it worry me as I know that enthusiasm can vary and is often dependant on many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Presently, I am in a waning phase - other than a few shots on my phone an occasional exposure using my Dad's old 120 film camera I haven't done any 'serious' photography for a couple of months now. Having completed two back-to-back 1in 52 projects I admit to feeling somewhat tired with the constant "push" to make new images. Throw into the mix a hectic work diary and a planned house move and tbh I just feel I have enough on my plate without getting up before dawn to drive 60miles in the hope of a nice sunrise - or any other photography for that matter. During a recent weekend away I found I had to push myself to go out, and when I was out I lacked the motivation to see opportunities. I am not worried about this. I love my photography and I know I'll get back out there soon enough, but I am not immune from imposing a weird sense of guilt on myself for not making the most of the chance. I know I'm not on my own with this and time is likely all I need, but I'm interested in how others feel during their own hiatus from this astonishing thing we love to do? Best wishes, Adam

In my experience my photographic mojo can ebb and flow somewhat - when it wanes I try not to let it worry me as I know that enthusiasm can vary and is often dependant on many intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Presently, I am in a waning phase - other than a few shots on my phone an occasional exposure using my Dad's old 120 film camera I haven't done any 'serious' photography for a couple of months now.

Having completed two back-to-back 1in 52 projects I admit to feeling somewhat tired with the constant "push" to make new images. Throw into the mix a hectic work diary and a planned house move and tbh I just feel I have enough on my plate without getting up before dawn to drive 60miles in the hope of a nice sunrise - or any other photography for that matter.

During a recent weekend away I found I had to push myself to go out, and when I was out I lacked the motivation to see opportunities. I am not worried about this. I love my photography and I know I'll get back out there soon enough, but I am not immune from imposing a weird sense of guilt on myself for not making the most of the chance.

I know I'm not on my own with this and time is likely all I need, but I'm interested in how others feel during their own hiatus from this astonishing thing we love to do?

Best wishes,

Adam

My photography has been almost completely spontaneous for quite some time. I think this is become even more the case more recently with my acquisition of a smartphone which has multiple lenses including (FF equiv) 70mm and 240mm telephoto. It means I can do without the ghastly digital zoom! The only time I use my system Gear nowadays is when I am doing something more specialist or when I need to publicly show others I'm doing a proper job! Lol! 😁

My photography has been almost completely spontaneous for quite some time.

I think this is become even more the case more recently with my acquisition of a smartphone which has multiple lenses including (FF equiv) 70mm and 240mm telephoto. It means I can do without the ghastly digital zoom!

The only time I use my system Gear nowadays is when I am doing something more specialist or when I need to publicly show others I'm doing a proper job! Lol! 😁

One simple solution may help you overcome the situation I often faced, surf the net whenever possible, view a lot of internationally awarded images, analyze those images in your mind and find out the reason which make that image special, gradually you will get the enthusiasm back...

One simple solution may help you overcome the situation I often faced, surf the net whenever possible, view a lot of internationally awarded images, analyze those images in your mind and find out the reason which make that image special, gradually you will get the enthusiasm back...

Most of the time it's a day out or simply taking the camera for a walk. I rarely have a plan.

Most of the time it's a day out or simply taking the camera for a walk.
I rarely have a plan.

I think we all go through spells like that. January / February is a fairly grim period because the days are so short and nobody wants to be out of doors, least of all me. Recently there have been a few days with glorious light, the enthusiasm is returning, I'm seeing images again. Don't push yourself, let it happen.

I think we all go through spells like that. January / February is a fairly grim period because the days are so short and nobody wants to be out of doors, least of all me. Recently there have been a few days with glorious light, the enthusiasm is returning, I'm seeing images again.

Don't push yourself, let it happen.

[quote]Don't push yourself, let it happen.[/quote] That's the best advice so far...

Quote:Don't push yourself, let it happen.

That's the best advice so far...

Oh and get a multi-lens smartphone! :P

Oh and get a multi-lens smartphone!

I don't think the times have helped. The pandemic has been depressing enough. Then, the weather this year, when it hasn't been blowing an icy blast, it been cold saturating rain (and I hate cold rain with a vengeance), and we've been plodding around in slippery mud. On top of which, is the war in Ukraine. So, I have been up and down, and probably more down than up. I only got my camera out seven times in February, which is the lowest ever in twenty years, except April 2020, when we were not allowed out. But I have been going through my archives and enjoying the memories of some happier times. What's more, the sun has been out at least half of today. So hoping for better tomorrow!

I don't think the times have helped. The pandemic has been depressing enough. Then, the weather this year, when it hasn't been blowing an icy blast, it been cold saturating rain (and I hate cold rain with a vengeance), and we've been plodding around in slippery mud. On top of which, is the war in Ukraine. So, I have been up and down, and probably more down than up. I only got my camera out seven times in February, which is the lowest ever in twenty years, except April 2020, when we were not allowed out. But I have been going through my archives and enjoying the memories of some happier times. What's more, the sun has been out at least half of today. So hoping for better tomorrow!

Get a dog, great for getting you out and also provides good subject matter. The best photo opertunities I've had is when I have left the camera at home, so now I always carry a camera on my walks, normally a Fugi Xe3 with a 100 to 300 and a wide angle prime that fits into a small man bag that wouldn't take a standard DSLR with kit lens. Or an old Olympus em10 with pancake that fits in my jacket pocket. Mind you I love playing with cameras, getting a good shot is a bonus. I shoot predominantly Bird/wildlife and land/sea scapes, although my walks are mostly over the same area and probably shot the same scenes hundreds of times which are never the same due to changing lighting and weather.

Get a dog, great for getting you out and also provides good subject matter. The best photo opertunities I've had is when I have left the camera at home, so now I always carry a camera on my walks, normally a Fugi Xe3 with a 100 to 300 and a wide angle prime that fits into a small man bag that wouldn't take a standard DSLR with kit lens. Or an old Olympus em10 with pancake that fits in my jacket pocket. Mind you I love playing with cameras, getting a good shot is a bonus. I shoot predominantly Bird/wildlife and land/sea scapes, although my walks are mostly over the same area and probably shot the same scenes hundreds of times which are never the same due to changing lighting and weather.

I think everyone goes through this sort of thing, whether it’s photography, watercolour painting or fishing!! I am on the mend following a nervous breakdown at the start of this year, and for me photography has been part of my therapy. As has been said above, don’t force it or the fun will disappear and it becomes a chore. Once things settle down a bit in your hectic life the mojo will return! Good luck with the house move!

I think everyone goes through this sort of thing, whether it’s photography, watercolour painting or fishing!! I am on the mend following a nervous breakdown at the start of this year, and for me photography has been part of my therapy. As has been said above, don’t force it or the fun will disappear and it becomes a chore. Once things settle down a bit in your hectic life the mojo will return!
Good luck with the house move!

As many others I have probably captured only 25% of the number of photos normally over the last 2 years. However, I have no problem with motivation as I am in a Camera Club, We have regular competitions which I like to enter and I also enter some international Salons as well. The club is now organising some outings as well now. We went to the Cotswold Wild life Park early February and Slimbridge later in February. I try to combine photography with other trips if I can. So Mid February my wife and I visited our daughter and Granddaughter in Manchester. I left my wife there for the week and made my way back. I had wanted to photograph the Lone tree at Malham for a long time and also the Ribblehead viaduct. So instead of heading back south during the third of those storms, I headed North and 20 miles north I cam out into broken clouds with some sun. Found the Lone tree easily but was surprised that there was no one else around. I was was aware that no train services were running that day so did not expect to capture a steam train on the viaduct but was happy with the shots anyway. Heading back down the M6, I diverted to Crosby Beach to grab a shot of Anthony Gormley's another place. So just take advantage when you are out anyway. Dave

As many others I have probably captured only 25% of the number of photos normally over the last 2 years. However, I have no problem with motivation as I am in a Camera Club, We have regular competitions which I like to enter and I also enter some international Salons as well. The club is now organising some outings as well now. We went to the Cotswold Wild life Park early February and Slimbridge later in February. I try to combine photography with other trips if I can. So Mid February my wife and I visited our daughter and Granddaughter in Manchester. I left my wife there for the week and made my way back. I had wanted to photograph the Lone tree at Malham for a long time and also the Ribblehead viaduct. So instead of heading back south during the third of those storms, I headed North and 20 miles north I cam out into broken clouds with some sun. Found the Lone tree easily but was surprised that there was no one else around. I was was aware that no train services were running that day so did not expect to capture a steam train on the viaduct but was happy with the shots anyway. Heading back down the M6, I diverted to Crosby Beach to grab a shot of Anthony Gormley's another place. So just take advantage when you are out anyway.

Dave

[quote]I had wanted to photograph the Lone tree at Malham for a long time and also the Ribblehead viaduct. ...[/quote] Some years ago, we and a few friends were invited to join a coach trip to the Ribblehead viaduct to make up numbers. Arriving at the pick-up place we were surprised to see everyone else dressed smartly for a day in town. No walking boots - one lady was even wearing patent leather shoes. On arrival all became clear. Our little group were the only ones who visited the viaduct, the others headed straight to the pub. Afterwards they complained that a two hour break was too long for lunch, they were bored. That's what mental stagnation and lack of imagination look like. I think by definition everyone here does pretty well.

Quote:I had wanted to photograph the Lone tree at Malham for a long time and also the Ribblehead viaduct. ...

Some years ago, we and a few friends were invited to join a coach trip to the Ribblehead viaduct to make up numbers. Arriving at the pick-up place we were surprised to see everyone else dressed smartly for a day in town. No walking boots - one lady was even wearing patent leather shoes.
On arrival all became clear. Our little group were the only ones who visited the viaduct, the others headed straight to the pub. Afterwards they complained that a two hour break was too long for lunch, they were bored.
That's what mental stagnation and lack of imagination look like. I think by definition everyone here does pretty well.

And of course you can always enter the EPZ challenges and competitions. May be a good way of kickstarting your photographic motivation. :)

And of course you can always enter the EPZ challenges and competitions. May be a good way of kickstarting your photographic motivation.

Thanks all. Like I say I am not worried - I've been here before and I know it will pass. I feel like the kid in the famous cartoon from Larson below - right now I have so much on that I haven't the 'brain' space for photography - I haven't even opened Lightroom for the last 3 or 4 weeks to look/work on archive material. However, as photography is my leisure activity - I find that its therapeutic as Nigeyboy comments (I hope the recovery is going well my friend) - there is the risk of paradox: no time at leisure could prolong the lull. Still, I've learned to try and be kind to myself... [epzimg]40161_1647090994.jpg[/epzimg]

Thanks all. Like I say I am not worried - I've been here before and I know it will pass. I feel like the kid in the famous cartoon from Larson below - right now I have so much on that I haven't the 'brain' space for photography - I haven't even opened Lightroom for the last 3 or 4 weeks to look/work on archive material. However, as photography is my leisure activity - I find that its therapeutic as Nigeyboy comments (I hope the recovery is going well my friend) - there is the risk of paradox: no time at leisure could prolong the lull. Still, I've learned to try and be kind to myself...

My hiatus/mojo loss goes back to September 2019. I still love looking at pictures, I have joined clubs and other websites in attempt to join in but can't be bothered to pick the camera up. I know that's probably a deeper problem which I'm trying to sort out but that's another story. I was out and about constantly over the last two years (I was allowed out) and had great opportunities for shots that you would never dream of having the chance to take but again could not be bothered. I even bought a lens I had always wanted and never even took it out of the box then within two months of that I made the stupid decision to sell all my gear. That I don't recommend as a way to solve your mojo issue. I'm sure something will click eventually.

My hiatus/mojo loss goes back to September 2019.

I still love looking at pictures, I have joined clubs and other websites in attempt to join in but can't be bothered to pick the camera up.
I know that's probably a deeper problem which I'm trying to sort out but that's another story.

I was out and about constantly over the last two years (I was allowed out) and had great opportunities for shots that you would never dream of having the chance to take but again could not be bothered. I even bought a lens I had always wanted and never even took it out of the box then within two months of that I made the stupid decision to sell all my gear. That I don't recommend as a way to solve your mojo issue. I'm sure something will click eventually.