Feeling lost in your photography journey is common. So you’re either in the creative phase or having periods of unmotivated. At times, we can all struggle to get inspired to pick up the camera and get out of there. Lack of direction, purpose, and reason can be the culprit behind these photographic ailments. So, let’s explore these questions and discover the possible “why” behind your need for concern.
1. Who Are You Shooting For?
Some people outgrow others and try to get positive comments or compliments from peers or mentors. Others exist in their own world, are more introverted and like to share with the chosen ones or may not have at all. My partner and I are both photographers in our own right, and I assure you, we couldn’t be on opposite ends when it comes to how we evaluate our work, how we i want to share it and the intention behind its creation. I am a person who loves to think about the final product and is very excited to show it off. I thrive in the limelight, I want and need to be recognized. We’ll say, better than half of me prefers to keep my light under a bushel and create from a very different place. He takes pictures of the process and takes note of the camera and settings, enjoying the ergonomics, using the machine to its full potential and giving little thought to the consequences and more of the whole experience.
So the question here is: do you shoot for yourself or do you shoot for someone else? Obviously, we could blur the lines and do both, but it’s better to have a rough idea of the why around your photography and who you’re making it for. Self-awareness of one’s work allows for judgement, and that allows itself to evolve and develop, which is what we all need to stay fresh and relevant in the photography space. image.
2. What is your end game or goal?
Humans naturally work to achieve something. When we don’t, we become complacent, demoralized, and bored. The same is true of advertisements, and I think a photographer without a purpose would be a loser. So help you find! Above, we discussed who you will shoot for. Now, I’m asking you why are you shooting?
Often, a photo project can give you a sense of direction and an end point to work towards. This doesn’t have to be a Robert Frank-style project where you take 27,000 photos over a period of several years and then narrow it down to 83 (God knows how he did it.) Your answer can be simple and low stakes, like: “photography is my hobby. I love it. It takes me out of the house and I love the community aspect.” Or, your response might be the opposite: “I am striving to create a work of significance that I would like to see one day exhibited.” It can also be anywhere between the two. This is not putting in a box but identifying where you are at work and where your energy is best used.
Thinking about what you want in the long term or where you want to see yourself in a few years time can answer this for you. For me, being on display in a gallery or winning a contest has never been high on the list, as it doesn’t really match my photography style or my personality. I. However, I have a dream to become a full-time content creator in photography. My “why” is very different from someone else wanting to publish their work, or wanting to become a professional portrait or wedding photographer. These are interesting questions to ponder, as it really invites you to envision your dream vision of succeeding in photography. Making a list or reviewing artists you admire and why are helpful ways to uncover your desires.
3. Are you creating many of the same jobs?
This is a difficulty. Everyone is excited about finding your style and our photographers always hope their work has a certain unique quality so that it stands out and is identifiable to only them. I. This is something that takes a long time to cultivate or otherwise, seems to just develop naturally in an artist’s work without really thinking or trying. We all envy the latter, that’s for sure. So how do you know when your work has a consistent style and when your work just repeats itself?
Well, that’s a tough question to answer definitively, since you, the photographer, are the only one who really knows it. The reality is that someone will always think your work is repetitive or derivative or simply don’t like it. But that is the point of art: like beauty, it is subjective, and there is a huge element that exists only in the artist himself. When you are truly satisfied and proud of your work, it doesn’t matter what other people say or don’t say. You know deep down if your work is just a direct rendition of something you’ve seen online or it’s something you’ve picked up and drawn to for authentic reasons.
Only you can review your work, study your process and decide this. Since I’m asking you for self-reflection here, I’m going to jump in and reflect publicly on myself, so we’re even. I’m a huge fan of red, and it always shows up in my photos. I know that it comes from some of the movies I watched during my founding years, namely Paris Texasand photographers love it too William Eggelston and Ren Hang people have used this color a lot in their images. I do my best to use it as inspiration instead of just trying to recreate their amazing photos, and it’s clear that sometimes it comes down to derivative intent because, well, everyone does it sometimes. , and that’s okay. Overall, I’m happy with the red theme in my work and think it defines my style well, but I definitely know where it comes from and be conscious of that when creating the image.
On the other hand of the trend, I’m part of a classic car shot on film, perhaps the biggest achievement of the past few years for analog photography, and that’s okay in my books. I’m not a photography cop here to fine you for a headlight angle on a classic American car. Rather, I am here to raise the question of stagnant repetitive work and when to re-examine yourself before repeating yourself.
If you feel happy doing this, then by all means, go for it. This is not a test of your photography or subject choice. However, I think it’s important to ask yourself when you’re presented with highly photographable moments and scenes, or clichés, if you’re going to: “why am I photographing that thing?” this and what does it add or achieve?” Now, you can say, “um, shut up Lucy. I don’t need more or gain because I’m just having fun and taking some pictures of what looks good to me.” With that, I say: do well and move on. The whole point of this article is to help you think about why, how and who you are working for and who is better for yourself.
I really want to stand out as a person and a photographer, so I want to be aware and think before I shoot, especially with film. My inner dialogue is always asking, “Do I really need this shot and why am I shooting it?”
4. Where do you need improvement?
Tyler Durden once said that self-improvement is masturbation. Although I loved the movie Fight Club, I’m afraid Tyler/Brad Pitt was wrong about this movie. Self-development, especially in an area of passion and interest, often comes pretty easily, but there will always be an aspect of photography that you don’t want to learn too much about. We can’t have all our fingers in all the photography gear, can we now? I’m not asking you to either, but I think there’s always an area where we can improve and this doesn’t have to be technical.
Maybe you have trouble talking about or criticizing your work? This is a highly valuable skill that can help you grow and thrive as an artist. Upskilling or seeking advice in that area can only help you improve and experience a breakthrough during the lull. Are you the type to be lazy with your social media and leave valuable connections on the table? Improving your online presence can be a much-needed incentive to shoot more often, attract more clients, or find a new photography buddy in your area.
Improvements don’t have to be technical or follow a linear path. Everything works and often improvement in any area of our lives, photography or not, spills over into other areas. Now is also a great time to learn. YouTube has plenty of free tutorials and other learning platforms that are plentiful if you want to invest in yourself and your photography. After all, you deserve it!
5. Are You Frustrated With Your Photography?
With so much access to everything these days, it’s easy to write down a topic. I think we’ve all gone through this during a pandemic with constant updates and increased anxiety around reading the news hourly. Sometimes, you have to turn off, and photography is no exception. I have a YouTube channel, audio files, news, and this writing gig, all revolved around photography. I love it, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes, the last thing I want to do is talk, see, or even take a picture. Sometimes it’s comforting to go out without a camera in hand, even though I know there are two or three in the glove box because I’m a total photo junkie, and let my eyes be. rest and my mind wanders outside the realm of “that’s a great ingredient there. Keep it up, I’ll be right back.”
You can have too much of a good thing, and checking to make sure your photography isn’t affected by too much time together can be the answer to a lack of creativity or low motivation. Absence hardens my heart, and I know when I take a break from photography, I suddenly have new ideas and concepts that I’m excited to try the next time I pick up my camera. . It’s worth mentioning that if photography is your job in any capacity, you can easily lose it to personal taste, which is why diversifying your interests or taking a break can be so rewarding. can help you energize your future photography adventures.
I hope these questions and reflections have helped you to look within and be amazed at what you find. A community can be really helpful in those times when you question one’s abilities and purpose, so I invite you to comment below to keep the conversation going.
