Photographic Funks

[rougewisp]

Lately I've had a distaste for my art/art in general. Nothing I look at really inspires me, and I can't see my own work as anything but vapid trash. Surely I am not the first one to be in an art rut, so I was wondering about others' experiences with that sort of thing in the past and maybe what got them out of it.

 

[jd callow]

My art at one time required practice. When I had nothing to say or was unhappy with my work (which is/was near constant) I'd simply practice. During the drudgery of it I'd become inventive or inspired and I'd be back on track. With photography there is not much to practice. If you're into the technical side you can test films or papers. It might help to pull out a hard to print neg to hone your printing chops. I think I'd probably just grab my favourite camera and go shoot things that seldom fail -- whatever that might be.

Welcome to APUG.

 

[Schlapp]

I understand your feeling. Having been going through something similar I did/do several things;
Look at a lot of art/images. Bit cut off up here so often delve in to the net - even flickr where there is some great work among the dross.
Walk with a camera and sometimes even use it
Play in the darkroom
It may not help the inspiration but it makes me feel better.

 

[Akki14]

I just didn't do any serious photography for a few years. Sometimes you need a break. Just taking a few snaps with a less serious camera if you feel the need to in the break.

 

[juan]

Or, you may respond by going in the opposite direction. Grab a camera of a different format and force yourself to take pictures. Or grab a hand-held camera and take a walk. Take a given number of steps, say 50, then stop and find something to photograph. Don't move until you've taken something.
juan

 

[Roger Hicks]

Lately I've had a distaste for my art/art in general. Nothing I look at really inspires me, and I can't see my own work as anything but vapid trash. Surely I am not the first one to be in an art rut, so I was wondering about others' experiences with that sort of thing in the past and maybe what got them out of it.

Force yourself NOT to take pictures for a set time -- a month, maybe. After that you'll either be raring to go, or ready to make it a year instead...

Alternatively, go somewhere visually stunning. I've just been photographing a ruined village in northern Aragon.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Valerie]

Even the earth takes "time out" (aka winter). Just rest for a while and don't fight this. When your creative side is ready, it will come out of hibernation and awesome things will happen!

 

[jovo]

I think my distaste for my work is directly proportional to the degree of infatuation I had for it in the first place. Since I know neither reaction is appropriate, I try not to look at any of it for a while and I usually end up finally seeing it for what it is without the emotional hype of either extreme.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Or do like everyone else and buy new gear...

Kidding aside, sometimes what you need is a bit of air. Exhibit some work, ask someone to make a portfolio review, sell some prints, anything that gives you a honest feedback and a roadmap.

 

[mark]

Art is a passion, and passion is a roller coaster. For my writing I just blathered on the paper or computer, for my photography I set myself some projects or go out shooting with my dad. I find that my brain can use a work cleans and then I can do more. Dad and I are on different sides of the same profession. Once my brain is cleansed things tend to work out.

Everyone is different though.

 

[wfe]

This is not as much of a problem for me as it used to be but art is a roller coaster and there will always be ups and downs. It got better for me once I started to photograph subject matter that I am passionate about. I still have days when nothing I do appears to be any good but I carry on and continue with my work and the coaster is rolling downhill again.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I just came out of my funk last Thursday. I had the day off and after running errands with the wife, I was just taken to grab my camera bag and hit the streets here in town for about two and a half hours in the afternoon. I felt so good. The way I used to before I totally ****ed up this wedding in May and after that I didn't even want to pick up my camera. FIVE MONTHS WASTED. I didn't look at it that way then. Then it was, why bother. But I looked at my old work and reorganized it a bit. I got rid of my 35mm stuff and now only have medium format.

I went five months and only took two pictures. Went on vacation to upstate New York for a week in August and took the camera along, only going through the motions. I think there was a bit of general depression in there as well.

There are many ways to get back into it. But my advice would be not to push it. You'll wake up one day and be thinking 'What am I doing?' and call in because you can't wait to get back out there. Until then, don't be too hard on yourself. We all go through these funks. And we all come out of them eventually. At least you still have the sense to occasion this site. I might have come on here about once every two or three weeks in my funk, but I couldn't pull myself away. Thank you, APUG.

 

[dpurdy]

I think it is important to work your creative output from different angles. I have found great inspiration for my photography by taking ceramics classes and drawing classes and I get out the oils and paint some. If you try to keep working your creative bone in the same way in the same spot your perceptions and inspirations can get dulled. I once did a series of nudes that were directly inspired by the forms I was making with clay on a potters wheel.

I personally find it counter productive to go out and look at what other photographers are doing. I start getting sicker and sicker of photography and I get the feeling there is nothing I can do that is the least bit unique or important. Inspiration comes more easily looking at different mediums like painting or by going someplace interesting that will provide the inspiration for you rather than trying to build up your inspiration first then going out and using it.

 

[SusanK]

I just finished reading, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Excellent book, and one that has helped redirect my perspective, both in photography and life. You might try picking up a copy at your local library.