Uninspired. So completely uninspired.
Some time ago, I had the opportunity to go up to Milwaukee, WI to meet up with a friend who was in town. I love Milwaukee, I do. It’s a really down-to-earth city with some very cool architecture, which, you know, is sort of my thing. We made plans to check out a Basilica, it’s one you see from the highway every time you drive into the city, then a cathedral and possibly the art museum. So what’s the problem you ask?
Completely uninspired
So? What is the problem?
Me. I’m the problem. I took my camera with me and never took it out of my bag. Not even once. Who do I blame, what do I blame for this lack of enthusiasm for getting out photographing lately? Well, again it’s me. I could blame the heat. Or the fact that I kept thinking while we were inside the Basilica, what will I do with these images? That right there stopped me from shooting.
It was beautiful, the light was gorgeous, the stained glass windows, the structure but it did not inspire me enough to actually create images of it.
I’m bringing this up because I feel like it’s important. We all go through periods of this. It’s normal. We lose our muse. She’s hiding, resting, being uncooperative and just doesn’t want to play at the moment. We’re told to go anyway, pick up the camera and work through it, force the issue.
What happens when we do this? Well, for one our images tend to suck. Why? Because we’re not feeling what we’re seeing. We are not being where we are and not SEEing what is around us. We’re too busy moaning in our heads that we’d rather be home in the air conditioning, or worrying about the work that needs to be done, the laundry that has piled up or the TV show we’d rather be watching.
Basically, we are not present or in the moment.
Being in the moment is a big factor in what and how we produce our best work. We need to take the time to breathe, to observe and to feel the location we are in, whether it’s some far-off city or our own backyards.
By slowing down and being aware of as much of what is around you as possible, you’ll see the beauty where you thought there was none. You’ll see the interesting shapes and shadows instead of overlooking them.
What can you do to inspire yourself?
A few things can help:
- Only use your phone until you get that feeling back — that “oh, yes, see that, that is so cool” feeling you get that makes you want to photograph.
- Pick one thing. Study it, walk around it, view it from all angles. Now take your camera and challenge yourself to make something creative from just that one thing. Be one with whatever it is you’re shooting (that’s sort of a joke but not really.)
- Read. Find an inspiring author or photographer you love and read about their work. Take your camera out and try to recreate the same style in your own way. It will get your mind going, you’ll start getting excited about being challenged to make it your own.
- Create a theme. I once had a project I named the Garbage project. Why? I shot garbage, in the street, from my car at a stoplight, everywhere. Was it pretty? Not exactly. Did it make me pick up my camera every day? Yes. It also sparked an idea about something more long term and meaningful.
I could go on but I think you’ll see the point here. The main thing if you’re uninspired is to try not to become discouraged, resist the urge to sell all of your gear and find another hobby. Give it time. Give yourself time, rest, relax and feed your creative soul. Sometimes we forget to do that, pay attention to our creative side.
Listen. To yourself and to the world around you. Your muse will thank you.
(The images included in this article were all taken with my phone – a Motorola G5 Plus at the time.)
I”m right there with you. I picked up my camera today for the first time in over a week. It’s hot, I’m tired, I’m not standing in front of something awesome…….all of the usual excuses. This morning I had had enough. I put my favorite macro lens on and went out and played in my back yard. I decided to be me again. That’s when I am the most at home in my skin. That’s my happy place. Great shots? Not really. It is still wicked hot in Cincinnati. But I feel better for being the best of me.
Awesome @cathycusterdonohoue:disqus good for you. Great details in this image too. I always have such a backlog to edit and cull that sometimes stops me from creating more too, but it’s what we do so we continue to push ourselves the best we can, feeling it or not. Thanks for sharing!
The issue could be a lack of motivation rather than inspiration. Motivation gets you out the door so you can be there and be aware. Inspiration takes over once you’ve chosen to expend the effort to be creative “in the moment”. For me, I can’t imagine planning a shoot, packing, getting on location – and then being uninspired to click the shutter. It’s akin to physics – I’ve already taken ACTION so I’m bound to respond with a complimentary reaction to engage the mind to find something worthy to shoot! It doesn’t have to be the next great epic landscape… Read more »
Good point Joe, sometimes (for me) it is both combined. It’s not a good combo! Most of the time I do push through and create anyway. This time it was just with my phone and that’s ok too. It may be different too if a shoot is planned, this was planned sort of but mostly to meet up with a friend and the locations she had in mind. I can almost always find something to photograph, some days I just do not feel like it though, even if I am out with my camera.