Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Notices

Go Back   Film and Darkroom User > General discussions > Art and aesthetics

  ***   Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks   ***

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23rd April 2011, 11:18 AM
Mark-NY's Avatar
Mark-NY Mark-NY is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 141
Default Street (Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Drop to Drink)

I must say that I have been in a creative rut/funk for quite some time now. Last week I took the train into NYC to have a walk and shoot a roll of 35mm. I figured I could shoot a 24 exposure roll, no problem. Well, I came back having shot only 4 and all of those in the train station. This was just another day of many similar outings void of anything inspiring or creative. I was angry with myself all week and ready to sell all my gear. Photography is after all an expensive activity and it makes no sense for me pursue it if this the best I can do!

Yesterday, I decided to give it another try and went back into the city. I really expected the same... just walk around and not be inspired to shoot anything. So I just started walking fully expecting to never take out my camera, however, after two blocks I found a scene that I stayed at for 45 minutes. And then I came across another... and another... I only quit after the light became too harsh but I could have gone on all day.

It only dawned on me this morning what was different about yesterday. Previously, I had been trying to find and photograph MY aesthetic and vision in NYC. But, yesterday I had no expectations and simply photographed what the city offered - the good, the bad , and the ugly. Interesting how when searching for nothing I then saw everything. Sort of like life: focus on one thing and you are oblivious to everything else.

So, I will never go out to deliberately shoot anything, rather, I will just take the camera along in case I see something interesting.

[It is also interesting that yesterday I was shooting MF on a tripod -- kind of goes against all the conventional wisdom of street photography but I have become more comfortable shooting this way than with handheld 35mm.]
__________________

There's hope in these footsteps of persistence...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23rd April 2011, 05:03 PM
MartyNL's Avatar
MartyNL MartyNL is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: based in The Netherlands
Posts: 3,341
Default

Thanks for sharing Mark.

I find these kind of threads encouraging and will turn to your thoughts and words when going through one of my own dry spells. Though they often feel more like a drought!
__________________
MartyNL

“Reaching a creative state of mind thru positive action
is considered preferable to waiting for inspiration.”
- Minor White, 1950
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23rd April 2011, 05:40 PM
Steve O's Avatar
Steve O Steve O is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kelsall, Cheshire
Posts: 379
Default

Some of my most successful shoots have been on days when I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about my photography, like Mark I just went with the flow and had fun. Trying too hard is bad in any artistic pursuit and having a particular image in your mind ultimately leads to a frustrating days work.

Glad it's not just me who go through these disappointing spells.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23rd April 2011, 06:17 PM
Dave miller Dave miller is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,322
Default

I think we have all hit the creativity wall at some stage, it takes some of us a little longer to scramble over it than others, and some don't make it at all. I recommend a new (another) camera/format/film.
__________________
Regards
Dave
www.davids.org.uk
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23rd April 2011, 06:33 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jersey Channel Islands
Posts: 5,433
Default

Mark,
We all get dry spells, I know I do, and for me it sometimes takes a long coastal walk with just a camera, not looking for any photographs, maybe not even thinking about taking photographs, just a camera with me ''just in case'' and things just happen and it breaks the spell, which often starts because I am trying to hard, and find myself taking photographs for the sake of pressing the shutter button,
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23rd April 2011, 07:54 PM
JimW JimW is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 844
Default

Don't sell the kit....... If the only pressure is from you to take photos, then no worries. We all struggle with purpose at some point, and thankfully a new perspective on photography (or life) appears round the corner, or around the headland for all us coastal walkers.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23rd April 2011, 09:57 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Daventry, Northants
Posts: 8,969
Default

I have been taking a reasonable amount of photos in the last 7 years and think I am getting better but I have not yet been able to rank the shots taken correctly with the prints at the other end. In other words the shots I rank top never seem to come out that way when printed.

I am nearly always surprised by which prints I like the best compared to how I thought the shot would look as a print.

I am not sure that I want the surprise element to go away.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24th April 2011, 11:27 AM
Sometimes's Avatar
Sometimes Sometimes is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 79
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark-NY View Post
So, I will never go out to deliberately shoot anything, rather, I will just take the camera along in case I see something interesting.
I'd never hang my hat on this hook. Rather go out and try for the deliberate shoot and fail than not to bother at all. But always always be prepared to develop whatever opportunity presents itself.
__________________
Stephen
Never waste an opportunity to fill holes in your knowledge - although further holes may result.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24th April 2011, 12:51 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jersey Channel Islands
Posts: 5,433
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimW View Post
Don't sell the kit....... If the only pressure is from you to take photos, then no worries. We all struggle with purpose at some point, and thankfully a new perspective on photography (or life) appears round the corner, or around the headland for all us coastal walkers.
Far from selling I am adding to my kit,Just got a Ensign Selfix 820, love the big 6x9 negative,
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25th April 2011, 09:50 AM
Mark-NY's Avatar
Mark-NY Mark-NY is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 141
Default

Don't worry all - I am not selling my gear! The plan is to go out more and expect less... react to what is offered rather than try to fit it into anything preconceived.

Thanks! Mark
__________________

There's hope in these footsteps of persistence...
Reply With Quote
Reply
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Water filtration Richard S Darkroom 22 16th February 2021 01:57 AM
Distilled water. vanannan Darkroom 17 5th March 2011 06:10 PM
Water from dehumidifier vincent Chemical formulae 9 10th January 2010 06:17 PM
Distiled Water George Swift Monochrome Film 4 22nd May 2009 07:13 AM
Water rates Argentum Photography in general 20 7th January 2009 04:20 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.