You lost the photography mojo? It’s something that happens to all of us and not just once, it’s a part of life but let’s not take philosophy here, let’s just look at some ways to reinvigorate our photography. Friend.
We’ve all been there, frustrated that nothing works and everything you get your hands on doesn’t seem right. These times may be infrequent or may be several times a year. Either way, we need to recognize what’s really going on and deal with it in whatever way works for you personally. If photography is your main income, you may not be able to deal with this because you need to pay the bills, but I’m sure you will be adept at recognizing the symptoms.
So how do you bring it back? Well, here are some tips that might work for you. Remember it will come back, let it be and don’t force it.
Buy a new camera
Yes, that will take care of everything, you will suddenly feel the urge to go and take new pictures and they will be great. Why not add a lens to that package and then go and take close-up shots of subjects you wouldn’t normally even think about when photographing? In fact, the decorations have been sitting on the shelves for the past 4 years, why don’t you be careful with the wind and shoot it in monochrome because you can. A blade of grass, not just a single blade of grass, is a roadside blade of grass that you pass every day and never take a second look at. Suddenly, it becomes a work of art because of your new camera and lens combination; Your mojo is back and your life is complete.
No, this will not solve the problem, in fact it will add as you will see your bank balance decrease. This, as well as losing your passion for photography will only add to your frustration. However, a new device can help you get inspired again.
Organize your tool bag
Many cathartic experiences but still related to your photography. Lift the bag and wipe it down. Organize your filters and maybe decide which one you use more often than not. Can you part with devices you don’t, or really any other devices you haven’t used in a long time? If so, sell them and keep the spare dollars, and roll them over to another photo purchase you want, or better yet, start a photography trip fund. You won’t make much money from the filters but once you have the money you will think of other reasons to add to it to get what you want.
As you are sorting through your filters, the mind will take you back to when you used them and why. Same goes for your lenses, cleaning all your gear will restore that connection and you need to go back and shoot.
Review your back catalog
Delete every single image. If you think your photography is bad now, think about what it was like when you didn’t know as much as you do now; delete the last of them one by one.
Even so, seriously review your old catalogs and see if any of the images you think are actually fine now. Many times I glance at an image without thinking about it, but as my practice changes, my appreciation of the subject changes. As adults as photographers, we see things in our images that perhaps we didn’t see for the first time. Going through your back-end categories will also give you the opportunity to delete certain categories you don’t need, freeing up space for those you’ll shoot in the future.
Find out what’s new
Crochet I’ve heard is good for finger dexterity and even better when you’re trying to find your way around your camera buttons in colder climates.
Learn a new technique or skill that you can apply to your craft. You’ve probably thought about it in the past but never really had the time so maybe when your mojo picture is gone, it’s time to start. Even if you don’t finish it, at least you’ve made progress towards it and you can add it to your growing skill base.
Just take a break
As simple as that, just take a break.
We’ve all had times when nothing worked, every image sucks, you can’t see the composition, and even when you can the resulting image is bad, and you think to yourself why? why doesn’t it work? This advice is the same for everything in life, now that we are becoming philosophical. Sometimes we need to step back to move forward.
Yes, you’ve heard it a thousand times before, but have you really practiced it?
Conclusion
Lately, I’ve been in a creative slump, nothing is working and everything I do is wrong. Everything I try to do, I just try too hard and it doesn’t work, and even though I know I’m running low on creativity, I keep trying, which makes things worse. I know that by stepping back, I will move forward at some point; Me too.
I did not buy a new camera. If I can’t take a good picture with the camera I have, I should sell everything anyway. All my gear is clean and ready for the next adventure. My back catalog is there. Now that I’ve started deleting it, I want to get it to a place where I’m happy. I’ve never used crochet, but I’ve started to learn more retouching techniques, which rekindled my urge to go back and shoot again. I’m currently on a break and going to Iceland this weekend and I don’t want to end the creative slump because it will follow you no matter where you are.
These methods are the ones I mostly use when the photo mojo is gone, with the best method being a break. What method have you tried and tested to bring it back and capture it again?
Lead image provided by Sharon Wilson, 4 & 5 images of mateusz dach and dummy at Pexels, used creatively
