Exposed! :: Stumped - Camera's Creative Blocks ::
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Contents
It's tough - "burnout." Too busy. Not enough fun downtime. If all you want to do is sleep or aimlessly surf the web it sounds like you have a case of creative block or lack of camera spontaneity. Getting stumped is bad news for photography!
In this month's Exposed! we explore the causes and remedies for photo burnout.
Burnout!
It's no fun. There are many reasons for a creative collapse:
- Too many stresses
Has work got you working far too much? Is a young family keeping you up all night? Is your bank account overdrawn at the end of every month?
A mind that is working overtime will leave little room for creative adventures. - Overdoing it
Have you just discovered photography and now spend every available minute reading, breathing and shooting photography?
Moderation. Too much can be a bad thing.
- Deadlines or Pressure
Are looming deadlines sapping your creativity?!
Performance anxiety can definitely curb your photo performance!
- Trying too hard
Do you feel you should be better than you are? Do you have the type of personality that makes you work harder - and not smarter - if you do not succeed?
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.
Feeling stumped?
Symptoms
In a previous Exposed! I talked about a very specific form of burnout - "Territorial Artistic Myopia." In that newsletter we discussed the signs and symptoms of burnout:
- The burned-out photographer becomes listless and uninspired. Their camera equipment gets dusty. The usual creative spark, zest and creativity deteriorate and they consider taking up another hobby.
- They may cover their inadequacies by claiming, "I've photographed everything worth taking."
That's sad. There is help. Really. Each suggestion below relates to different causes of burnout. Read on and act accordingly!
Relief
- Let your life take the lead. Allow yourself time to get through a tough job, your child's toilet training or a tight financial year. Remember your photography should be fun. Don't abandon your camera, instead schedule a few camera days a season. Keep the embers burning until you can return to stoke your creative photo fire.
- Take a break. Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players ever, would take the summers off and play lacrosse and baseball.
Allowing some down-time will heighten your up-time.
- Be kind to yourself. There is a difference between doggedly drilling yourself for failures and using the failures as positive stepping stones to success. Working hard (read: being too hard on
yourself) and working smart (using disappointments to explore better
techniques) lead to very different outcomes. Give yourself a break.
Remember this should be fun!
- Take a practical workshop or set practical shooting goals. Make sure the sessions you attend are practical and hands on. Classroom learning cannot replace real experience!
- Take a step back. Put your camera down and allow yourself to daydream - soak in your surroundings before reaching the camera.
Pro Perspective
I generally get very busy in the spring and fall. It is critical for my clients that I take some 'time off' and blow off some steam. For me, that means xc skiing, telemark skiing, pond hockey, paddling, cycling and running - without a camera! I just attended a Telemark Festival and someone asked, excitedly, "Where's your camera?" My response - "My job today is to ski!"
That's important! When I anticipate a long work week it is good for me to book some fun time and ensure some good, full night sleeps!
I can also get stumped by a deadline - The photo at the top needed to be shot for the Stumped newsletter in short order! I had not left enough time and quickly got stumped. Stepping back and letting ideas percolate for 24 hours was all I needed to get the reasonable shot (taken from 10 feet off the ground). Below are other attempts that were not quite right (L) or terrible (R).
Homework
Take stock of yourself. And then look at the remedies or relief. Take affirmative action! Before you find yourself glass-eyed in front of your computer take steps to keep your camera creativity climbing to new levels.
Final Frame
Stay motivated. Look for challenges. Allow yourself some guilt free time off from the camera. If you do, your photos will continue to sparkle!
Take photos. Have fun.
