“Trapped” ; Sea star, barnacles and anemones, California, 2011
Shooting has been quite slow for me this summer, so again I find myself lacking words, and new images to share here. I don’t know why I feel compelled to only sharing or writing about something new because I have so many images sitting on my hard drive that haven’t been processed, I could probably never leave my house again and not catch up. I have been through some slumps before, but this is a pretty deep one. Even though I have been out with my camera, many of the familiar subjects just aren’t sparking that creative flow like they used to.
The one thing about recognizing you are in a slump is the anxiety that comes along with knowing you are there and trying to figure out how to get out of it. There are all sorts of “techniques” recommended to try to get out of one – adding restrictions, trying new subjects, new places, etc, etc. I have done some of that, to the extreme in some cases, and have seen a little movement, but not much. I am not one to really shy away from trying new things.
I bought a Fuji X100 camera because it was recently on sale for $200 off. I haven’t owned a rangefinder camera since I was a kid, and I have always liked the retro look of this camera. It has a great reputation for image quality, so we will see what I discover with it.
Heads, Fuji X100
To show you just how weird things have become in shooting some different things, I am offering you the image here in contrast to the sea star above. I initially didn’t see much similarity at all between these two shots as I thought they couldn’t be further from each other in the spectrum of subject matter. In fact, I picked this shot as somewhat of a joke at how far I have strayed. 🙂 But then I saw it – I saw this weird link between the two photos of faces and heads staring back at me. This slump is pretty bad eh? No worries, I haven’t snapped completely…well, maybe a little. I have no intention of starting a project shooting severed heads. I was just goofing around with this.
So I will continue to poke around a bit. I know it is just a thing… that with time hopefully it will pass.
Slumps. They have dotted my summer too, Mark. Sometimes just throwing yourself out there helps but other times not really. But being out there is the only place the change will happen. The last two days have been that way…general malaise after one good day. For me, the lag between the seasons always seems to be a down time. Autumn is near and that should provide the push many of us need. I hope you find a spark at just the right time.
I am looking forward to autumn also Steve. The change of seasons usually brings enough visual energy to get me engaged again. It seems that summer funk is quite the epidemic amongst nature photographers!
Interesting. My regular photos are more along the style of your “Heads” photo and my slump photos would be more along your starfish photo (though not as good). Your thoughts around tripods are interesting too. Once upon a time I used to shoot a lot of nature shots and shot everything from a big, heavy Benbo tripod. Like you I could never bring myself to shoot handheld even if I was shooting at 1/500sec or faster. Then I started a long period where I felt completely uninspired. It coincided with a time when I had just returned home after travelling for four years. Anyway, it was a few years before I picked up a camera again and when I did the thought of carrying a tripod around seemed like too much bother. I have never shot with a tripod since. I’m not suggesting that this will happen to you of course, I just thought I’d share my experience.
In any case I wouldn’t be concerned about a slump. Like everything in life, that too shall pass.
Thanks Cedric.
I have often thought of my tripod as being somewhat of an albatross. I certainly have grown accustomed to the sharpness I can obtain, and the ability to do slower exposures whenever I want. When I have gone “commando” without it, it certainly is a relief not to have to carry it and set it up. I am trying to embrace that more. But I still find disappointments when I know I am really pushing my abilities to handhold.
On your subject matter comments, yes, it is interesting what we gravitate to vs. what we “force” ourselves in trying something different. I suppose it goes to show there is so much variety in potential subject matter out there.
Thanks for giving us the heads up, ha ha, on your slumps. Slumps can be a great opportunity to dig deeper, to slow down, to re-examine objectives, to explore yourself. A great mentor once told me to look behind the anxiety to find answers.
Thanks for the suggestion David. I believe part of the anxiety is just the desire to create something I am thrilled with.
I was going to suggest a new camera, but you’re already there…and the slump continues. It’s unfortunate, but I think that happens to everyone. I get them with writing, I get them with photography, I get them with…never mind. They seem to come and go and while you can try things, when you know you’re trying something it can actually make it worse. Time will take care of it – you’ll get up one day and head out and suddenly it’ll all click for you.
Thank you for your input here John. I know this is to be expected from time to time, it just feels much longer on this one.
Yeah but I keep asking myself will it be bald to be printed large and still hold up!
Mark…I have the same tripod issue as you. I feel like it can’t be serious image making without the tripod!
I just have to keep reminding myself of those images of Galen Rowell hanging off the side of a cliff. 😉 Works, but only for a short period of time.
Hi Mark,
I was taking a reading class (teacher in previous life) and they challenged us to read a book that you would NEVER pick out for yourself. I chose a book about war. WOW, I learned so much. In the end I really enjoyed. This could be a place to start with your slump. Just a thought.
Nice suggestion Kim. Interesting enough, I did pick up that book “Imagine” on creativity a month or so ago. I started working my way through it, and then the news broke about the author making some of it up. Hmph!
Mark, I’m late to the party and have nothing to add beyond what’s already been said by others — just part of the chorus. Been there! I love the colors and detail in the “sea star” photo and I had to laugh with the “heads in the drawer” — a new definition of wild life?
Congrats on the Fuji X100…I’ve been impressed by images I’ve seen online from it. I’m afraid my Olympus E-M5 has left my D700 sitting on the shelf for a couple of months now.
I seem to be late to the party on just about everything lately Earl. 🙂 Appreciate the addition to the chorus.
I must admit the walking around portability certainly has its appeal, but I still have this dogma plaguing me that it must be from on a tripod to have any potential! 🙂 I know that is not true, but it still runs through my head now and then.
Thanks a lot for the comments here guys. I can relate to everything that has been mentioned. Summer is a difficult time, especially this year with the heat.
Mark, I’ll join Monte and Paul (and you) by saying that I was in slump lately, too. Well, it’s not intentional state of course but the subjects just don’t speak to me so much and in such a manner as they used to. As the previous sentences don’t help you much I’ll try to help you by sharing a technique I developed in previous years. If you feel unmotivated there’s only one person who can motivate you and this person is you. Others can motivate you as well but they will rather show you direction and give a first kick which looses its strength soon so then it’s up to you to step into peddals. What helped me to get from a slump sometimes was simply grabbing a camera and trying to focus on some subject. Cogwheels in my head always started to turn again.
Mark,
I think truly creative people go through this more because of their own expectations. Summer is often a tough time for me creatively. It’s interesting how much this is written about in every kind of creative journal (writers, painters, musicians, etc). I know when I am forcing an image and when things are flowing (it feels effortless), but sometimes forcing it is not a bad thing and new ideas come to life. I also find that lots of coffee and reading a good book gives me ideas.
Paul
I’ll chime in and confess to having slumps or ruts on a regular basis. With my stagnation at the present time, I wonder if its’s a sign of something within me that is in transition, moving on, growing, or if it’s an indication of stagnation in my life, some discomfort with life. Today the voice has suggested I touch nature and let it heal. This is where I’m at and it too will pass. I do hope you enjoy that X100 and hope to hear back on what you think of it.
I know about that anxiety of being in a slump, or perhaps rut. It’s been rather slow for me this summer as well; however, I know enough, now, to not force it. If I force it, it feels forced. It just comes back on its own. It will will be back, Mark. Trust it. 🙂
I can somewhat sympathize with you, Mark, as much of this summer has been that way for me. While I feel I’ve made some nice images, I feel kind of “blah” about some aspects this year. I guess we don’t need to go full throttle all the time, do we?
The heads image is cool, as is the colorful starfish. Bummed to read that you feel stuck – I know you’ll work your way out of it.
Also, I think when you just can’t get started taking photos sometimes it helps to go out shooting with a photographer friend or two.
wishing you well
This is that last site I would expect to see a photo like “heads in a drawer”, but a little of the unexpected is a good thing, right? It’s good and it’s a fun subject, so I guess you haven’t gone quite crazy yet. Regarding the starfish photo: is there some extra detail added in post? It looks a bit HDRish, but in a good way.
Ken, no HDR, but I did add some tonal contrast, which HDR tends to do towards the extreme end.
Mark….I know what you mean. That is one of the things that got me into my Carrie Furnace project and doing the Carrie Furnace eBook. My first love is nature work but sometimes going back to the same places over and over leave you in the doldrums. I have a feeling like I want to continue shooting natute but start another non nature project also. Of course nothing like picking up and going to th southwest or something as a landscape kicks tart!
I think your furnace project turned out very well Howard. I know that was a lot of work putting it together also. That is also part of my problem lately is the motivational factor.