Taiwan Coast
I’m sure that everyone has heard the term “writer’s block” or the phrase “stuck in a rut”. It’s something that can cast a negative type of influence over a creative’s life from time to time. I have a friend who normally shoots some quite strong portraiture work yet lately his work seems to be lacking in passion. It’s technically sound but I don’t sense his soul shining through the work. For him, that’s not a big deal, as he takes photos strictly as a hobby and doesn’t have to rely on photography to make a living.
So what can you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? I think that this is a question that will provide as many answers as there are people answering. What works for one person may not work for another. Equally, what works for the hobbyist may not be possible for the professional.
One good method that may be useful to all is to simply take a break. Put the camera down for a day, a week, a month. Walk away from it and return with fresh fire. Easy enough for an amateur but how is a pro supposed to do that?
A month away from the camera could be a good opportunity for the working photographer to spend time on other areas. How about diving into video and experimenting with it? Or create a new and revamped marketing plan. Perhaps you could do some writing – if you are an editorial photographer, having writing skills could be a real plus. There are probably hundreds of other ways as well. What suggestions do you have?
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Craig Ferguson Images | Cultural Photography. One of the key aspects of life that we humans identify with is culture. We label people, places and events according to our ideas of what they are, ranging from the broader scale defined by tradition and place down to the small scale subcultures and tribes. Craig Ferguson Images is consistantly creating new visions in the field of cultural photography. From traditional festives and customs to modern, urban subcultures, Craig Ferguson Images is in touch with the changing world. From our base in Taipei, Taiwan we are perfectly positioned at the crossroads of the ancient and the modern.
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All content © 2010 by Cultural photography from Asia | Craig Ferguson Images
Thanks for the tips Craig. I've been in this spot before (you might recall my groveling for ideas last fall.) Some things that have helped me in the past are like these: Spend some time on sites like Flickr looking at others work. If you can, change cameras, going from a full-size to a P&S can change the way you shoot. Or, restrict yourself to one type of lens that you don't use very often.
Thanks Mark, for adding your ideas. Much appreciated.
A change can be as good as a break. Sometimes you don't have to put it down, just take it somewhere else. I felt the onset of a rut coming on last week. Luckily we had a trip lined up to SF and Lake Tahoe to see friends. We also got to hook up with some photog friends in SF. So…before you now it the rut was behind me. Thanks for the tips Craig.
Very true Ed, sometimes a change of scenery is all that's needed. Thanks for your thoughts.