Lake Superior beach rocks, Vermillion Point, Michigan
The winter thus far has me spending much more time indoors than out. My one time in the field photographing this winter resulted in images that I didn’t quite connect with. So when I am not outside, I find myself wandering somewhat aimlessly through my archives. This is a bit where some of my ADD kicks in. I have so many images I have simply abandoned only to be stumbled upon much later after I have forgotten about them. I find I can only work on a certain group of images for so long before I just have to walk away and do something else. Yet, when I am away too long, I find them pulling me back to explore once again. Ideas for posts here drift in and out before ever gelling into something coherent. It can be a real hinderance to actually getting things done.
This push-pull process creates a bit of creative restlessness for lack of any better words for it. A lot of half finished projects, ideas, and processing hoping to be picked up at a later point in time. But sometimes a photograph catches my eye and captures my attention long enough to work it to completion. Acknowledging it, I suppose, is one step in the direction of attempting to control it and deal with it, if that is even possible.
I think that restlessness you speak of goes with the territory. It’s kind of a first cousin to the dissatisfaction I post about occasionally. To my mind both are signs of growth and change and learning, and those are good things.
That is one fine photograph Mark. Like Ken said, it would be a shame if this one got buried in the archives.
I suppose if I could recognize and visualize the growth more, it would be easier to get through. Very hard thing to get a grasp of. Instead, it just seems like one big rut. I am glad you like the photo.
First of all I like this image!!!
My winter has been very similar. In fact I started writing a post this morning about it. I’ve shot fewer images and spent very little time in post processing. Very little motivation in other areas of my life as well. I’ve found it has been difficult to venture into the cold this winter. I do not like these periods of dryness, or procastination, or whatever it is. The creative juices are so invigorating. And as Earl says, ” the hardest part is being patient.”
Agree wholeheartedly Monte. Motivation is quite down here also. I think I meant to clean my office about 4 weeks ago. 🙂
There are things we cannot control, things which must run their course. These periods, as frustrating as they are, can also provide opportunities to regroup, reprioritize and recharge. I find after these period I’m more creative and more focused then before. The hardest part is being patient.
I never would have guessed these were lake beach rocks, not what I would have expected…they’re beautiful.
Thanks Earl. Patience can be difficult for me at times. You wonder why things aren’t clicking together like normal.
Lake Superior has quite a beautiful shoreline, some areas with mostly grey rocks like these, others with the whole color spectrum.
I think a lot of photographers find themselves in the same situation at one point or another. I’t a nice opportunity to reconnect with those images and maybe remember why we shot the photo in the first place. It would be a shame if one such as this got buried in the archives.
Thanks Ken. I am finding myself here more often than not lately.