No matter how much you love photography, you are likely to go through periods where you just feel unmotivated or even as if you have just fallen out of love with it. So, what do you do when that happens? This great video essay discusses what you should do when you have lost your motivation for photography.
Coming to you from Omar Gonzalez Photography, this important video essay discusses the topic of motivation in photography. Even if you really love photography, you are likely to go through periods where you just do not feel motivated or where you just are not satisfied with your work. If photography is something you do as a hobby and you do not have clients waiting on your results, then there is no reason to not just step away for a little bit. Continuing to force things can just make the problem worse, while stepping away for even a week or so can help you to reset a bit. Of course, it is a bit more complicated if you do photography professionally, and at that point, it may be worth considering things like self-care, work-life balance, a vacation, and more. Check out the video above for Gonzalez' full thougths.
Outstanding video and advice. My personal issue is not with what others are photographing, but rather with the overall sensitivity in cities to cameras being pointed in some direction. It was much easier, and less stressful, to photograph in the cities, where I prefer to spend my time. The growing negative looks and reactions have kind of given me a "it's not worth it" kind of attitude sometimes. I do work around it by getting out much earlier than I used to, but that has also changed my photography from primarily people in urban environments to just plain urban landscapes.
"...the overall sensitivity in cities to cameras being pointed in some direction."
+100! extremely heavy, tiresome, taxing
although the word sensitivity is much too gentle. Geez there have been times when I feel like I'm going to get blind sighted tackled by a building security officer or off duty police impersonator. I have literally had people come up to me telling me its against the law to be photographing even though I've been in public spaces outside. (not playgrounds or where school children are present just regular sidewalks)
I do get bored shooting similar subjects continuously so I change it up between landscape, flora, SoCal gardens, birds, JV football, surfing, Indy racing, plus more. The downside is that these subjects require different bodies and lenses so it gets quite expensive. I treat photographic equipment as tools. Thankfully, over the years, I have been able to obtain most of the tools I need. I first decide what I want to shoot and then I decide what equipment I need to accomplish my vision. I am an amateur and am able to find an interesting subject 52 times per year (once a week). One camera? I exceeded that in 1968. (humor but true)
Lately that has been something that has been creeping on me... no inspiration, motivation or want. Zack Arias said it very clearly in one of his videos "Photography will call many, but only choose a few" I am in a place after almost 10 years doing this that quitting photography altogether is close to a reality.
after picking up the rx100 I realized how much effort it was always carrying around a full size system and how much I was missing the actual experience or moment with a viewfinder or screen in front of my face. Now I appreciate not pulling out the camera or even the phone just enjoy the moment or experience.