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"Photographer's block"??

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Old 30-10-2007, 10:15 PM   #1
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"Photographer's block"??

Anyone ever suffered from this? I've just made it up but its a bit like writer's block. You've got the kit but you've taken pics at all the nice locations nearby at all hours. You've run out of ideas and have to go to wierd abandoned factory locations miles away to get "new" shots. You sit listlessly trying to work out what to take pics of. What's going on, and how do you get rid of it?

That being said, I'm off to The O2 tomorrow and will take some pics there before wandering up to Canary Wharf for some night shots .
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Old 30-10-2007, 10:27 PM   #2
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Looks like your not the first to suffer LOL

http://forums.photographyreview.com/...ead.php?t=8908
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AA8z
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Old 30-10-2007, 11:03 PM   #3
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

You've just got to actually got to get your camera out and go out the front door with it.

I just got back this minute from going for a wee half-hour walk round lincoln with my 50 1.4 and 40D. No shots in mind particuraly just influenced by some of the amazing stuff this guy does. He's actually far and away my most favourite photographer at the moment.

My walk wasn't massively succesfull I don't think but that's probably just down to the fact I'm feeling a bit low at the moment

You always feel like you've photographed everywhere in your vicinity but I guarantee you there is loads of unlocked potential you haven't photographed. Instead of taking the car/motor bike try walking or cycling somewhere you wouldn't even normally consider going. If you don't see anything you've had some exersise if you do then

Alternatively instead of throwing your money away on a new body buy yourself an MPE-64 and discover a whole new world literally on your doorstep!!
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Old 30-10-2007, 11:33 PM   #4
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Ally. I noticed the Asda shot on flickriver about 10 minutes ago, it's brilliant. I fell exactly the same as you as well. When you are sitting at your desk you don't think anywhere around will give you any success, but just once you go out the door you just choose your route and always find something interesting that you've never noticed before. It's a good way to think of subjects in different perspectives etc.

To be honest, I don't make enough use out of the money I've spent, I really should go on more walks. Although once I finally learn to drive (Hopefully i'll pass my test in December) I will be able to go places a bit further a field and unleash the potential I (hopefully) posess.

That last line was meant to sound enthusiastic, but ahwell.

Scharf.
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Old 30-10-2007, 11:36 PM   #5
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Maybe you could give yourself some random things to take pictures of ? or even tell a story regarding your images. I now take reference images so I can look back at, this is normally just a wide image of the same scene. I did have photoblock for a bit, I just decided to flickr the locations I had been at and look at some new effects to finish my images with.

Maybe only take one lens or set the camera in one mode or even take random images of bus stops. You will soon find some thing that will kick you back into taking pictures. Maybe you could work more on that contrast thing you did with the girl in the red jacket.

This image was something that kicked me back into taking pictures:


See this maybe you could do something like this on the O2

Have a look at Dave Gormans images also - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgbalancesrocks/
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Old 31-10-2007, 9:10 AM   #6
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

I've been suffering this for a while. Been round all the usual locations and can't seem to get motivated to shoot anything. Will be setting myself a random project soon which will make me go and shoot it. Like 'Bridges' then I'll drive around looking for interesting bridges

I think it's something to do with the weather, the current season and the fact that I've done all the local spots to death
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Old 31-10-2007, 9:35 AM   #7
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

I've had a bout of it this year..mainly cus ive been working on some commercial jobs which are quite boring at times..... but im slowly getting back into the swing of things, and im going to china at easter so hope for some good snappy snaps then
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Old 31-10-2007, 1:34 PM   #8
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Dont worry about it Tobers.
Photography is just like sex, the more you worry about not doing it, the worse it gets and when you do it, your performance then suffers
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Old 31-10-2007, 3:12 PM   #9
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Quote:
Originally Posted by bodoman View Post
Dont worry about it Tobers.
Photography is just like sex, the more you worry about not doing it, the worse it gets and when you do it, your performance then suffers
What’s Sex?
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Old 31-10-2007, 4:18 PM   #10
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Quote:
Originally Posted by lightpainter View Post
What’s Sex?
The memory dims
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Old 31-10-2007, 6:11 PM   #11
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Hi ya


Get to your nearest lake and take loads and loads and loads of pictures of SWANS


Cheers Holo
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Old 31-10-2007, 7:49 PM   #12
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Quote:
Originally Posted by lightpainter View Post
What’s Sex?
Another name for gender.. I think!

Sometimes you need a break from taking them....then thinking about it, looking at and being inspired by others...
....And glancing through Martin Evenings "Seeing Creatively"
Just going thru all your older stuff can be therapeutic and will wake up the sleeping photographer in you... eventually!
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Old 31-10-2007, 9:16 PM   #13
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Re: "Photographer's block"??

Well, I think I'm over it (for now). Had a fun time over at The O2 and Canary Wharf. 8 pics to follow in another thread.

Thanks for the moral support!
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