I carry my camera around wherever I go. It's always in my bag - whether I'm going to school or to work (sadly, those are the only places I'm able to go because I no longer have time for anything else). However, I seem to take the camera out of my bag less and less each day. I feel like there isn't much to take pictures of. It sounds ridiculous because I go to school in Manhattan, New York where there is always a throng of tourists with their cameras in hand taking pictures of skyscrapers, architecture, the New York life, and whatnot.
I guess I'm lacking in inspiration. Taking pictures is usually a stress reliever for me. Not only is it frustrating that I'm stumped doing this project, but also that I cannot relieve the stress from school - and now work.
If anyone can tell me a way to overcome this as soon as possible, it'd be wonderful. Currently, I'm relieving stress in a way that is causing me to be broke - by shopping. Shopping as a stress reliever is never a good idea when you are a student working part-time and live paycheck to paycheck.
Oh, Ayesha, I know exactly how you feel. Instead of buying the things you like, maybe you could photograph them as a way of having something to keep reminding you what you're working towards? You could always just keep your camera physically in your hand and just photograph whatever there is - who knows what you may capture? When you have a free day (on the weekends, maybe?) you should try see your surroundings as an outsider, so it'll all look new and exciting. I know I would be in awe of EVERYTHING if I ever visited NY. I hope everything works out for you... just keep your chin up and know that slumps happen to everyone in every area of their lives. You're going to work past it!
I think maybe I would go out on the street sidewalk sometime and just let out with a very loud yell, probably not too many would think about it, being in the city.
Then walk with camera in hand with one eye open, if no possible picture appears, close that one and use the other eye. This will sound foolish to most people, but each eye gives you a different perspective on things. Let your imagination out of the box, look for the unusual, go for that picture that I will never see unless you show me. I haven't been doing much lately myself but I do watch all the time for what to take. I bet that if you were here and I was there we would not be able to stop taking pictures. This might not help you much, but it did give you something to read. Good luck, and now go out and take a picture, maybe just rain hitting a puddle, or in instrument player on the side walk.
my idea and believe me it is just my two cents- is to play tourist for a few days. I know the city isn't new for you, but try looking at it from a different perspective. shoot from the hip, take pictures out of your window, sit on the ground at the park. I know lame ideas but maybe they will help you get out of your slump! I'm starting to feel myself going there to! Hope you find your inspiration again soon!!
Rebbecca has the right idea ! I think you're to used to the area ! Happens to me all the time ! I live less than an hour away from Niagara Falls....people come from all over the world to see it ! To me, it's just a lot of water going over a big cliff ! I haven't been there in 10 years ! But I will go back and get some shots.....I just have to do like Rebbecca said...play tourist, and make believe I've never seen a lot of water going over a big cliff before ! Plus, if I look a little harder, I'm sure I would see the smaller things I never noticed before !
I find it helps to use your hands as a frame. Thumb and forefinger extended on each hand, join at the fingertips to make a frame, and just hold it up, move it around - framing makes such a huge difference to a picture. Something ordinary can become something abstract just by framing it differently:
Also, familiarity with your surroundings can make it more difficult to identify photo opportunities. Everything can be a photo if you change your perspective.
From rubbish and weeds on the ground:
To birds in the sky:
These are all pics I've taken on my walk to and from work. No doubt you'll start finding things on your route when you look with a different mindset - more and more things every time. Just keep persevering, you can do it!
Wow. All of you have really great advice and I'm so grateful. @rrt I don't think it's foolish to close one eye and see what it shows me. I think it's a great idea. I may just try it. I think I do need to think outside the box. @rebcastillo77 You have a pretty interesting idea, too. Perhaps, thinking outside the box and gaining a new perspective is what I need. @madmazda86 Your photographs are great! They are inspiring me to try the frame idea and all the other ideas other users have given me. Your photographs give me hope.
Thank you everyone for the advice you've given me. I genuinely can't wait to see what tomorrow has to offer as I walk from the subway station to school.
If you are having a hard time motivating yourself to take photos, do it for us. Sometimes I know I've seen something a million times, but I remind myself that my fellow 365ers haven't, and maybe they need to see it. And even if it isn't an interesting picture, I feel like I would be letting them down more if I didn't give them a picture at all. Eventually once I "force" myself to take a picture, I see lots of opportunities and I've broken though whatever block I've placed myself.
I don't know if this would work or not, but maybe designating a certain time of day to take your photo would be some kind of discipline...no matter where you are or what you are doing or if it's the same every day, just move your camera a foot to the right...who knows, maybe the documentary would help inspire...
Sitting here in the center of Iowa surrounded by harvested corn fields I often think if only I lived in a city I would have lots of interesting things and people to photograph. I do have lots of time to think up things but even so still get stumped. I am doing the home a to z project started in a discussion several weeks ago. I suggest you think about showing your home to those of us in the middle of the country. You don't have to do the alphabet from a to z just start wherever you want to.
I would love to see store windows from NY, taxis, your school, tall buildings, dirty sidewalks etc. How about unusual fashion trends. I watch Project Runway, does anybody really wear clothes like that?
i was considering doing a theme. my mother-in-law has the greatest idea, to photograph portraits of women. just different women-with all of their different faces-young, old, wrinkly smooth, wise, etc. this idea of hers actually inspired me, because it is something that i would love to show the world from my perspective. maybe a theme would help? and, also, don't be very hard on yourself. think of your camera as your comrade. :) i know it may be silly, but i feel that Lulabelle (camera) is a constant friend that i can depend on (that was embarassing to admit!). good luck to you, and i hope you get your groove back, because yours are some of my favorite photos! @omabluebird LOL @ "does anybody really wear clothes like that?". too funny.
I know how you feel, I've been there.
I'm going through my own slump recently. More and more I don't pick up my camera. I guess it's a mixture of boredom and lack of focus. When I'm consciously thinking all the time "what do I shoot?" I take many more pictures, and see things I don't normally see as photo worthy making fantastic photos.
There are a lot of great suggestions here as to things to shoot, and themes to shoot. I say just force yourself into taking pictures. Instead of going shopping, go for a walk with your camera. I'd be shooting like mad if I lived where you do, so soak it in :P
I know how you feel. I cannot really find anything as good as Bills or mullins. They have such creative minds. I, well, I cannot really find anything as interesting.
I definetly know how you feel and I live in Queens , New York (you can find some nice scenery if you know the right spots) but Manhattan is a spot for so much inspiration - but there's something about that that becomes a bit boring? maybe because we know the place too well
I've been stumped for the last week too :/
maybe you are feeling a little overwhelmed, stressed and depressed? school & work is a heavy load. do what the others have suggested about playing tourist, changing perspective, etc. and, please, remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. you are working toward a goal and you WILL achieve it and things will become easier. all of your hard work WILL pay off. try to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea or a nice pastry as you play tourist. i did the shopping therapy years ago when we had the school/work struggles. it didn't help the financial stress. lol. hang in there. take pictures of your book, pens, computer, a street person, fellow students, etc. look for beauty to appreciate and images that make you appreciate this wonderful gift of life ... hugs to you!
@idonotsqueak Ayesha, if you think you are having a block go check out mine and then you will be inspired to take some really great ones because mine are feeling like they are the pits. I'm having a dreadful day but we can both climb back up on to the sidewalk and keep having a go.
The worst thing I feel would be for me to stop now, as I'm thinking of doing, but there are so many wonderful people on this site that encourage us and I would miss them dreadfully. So just think I have extended my hand - take a hold of it and lets go for a walk down the street.
I cannot get out as much as I could last year my hubby is not real well, so I need to hold your hand so I will keep on here. Thanks x
I know what you mean. I feel like I've already taken pictures of everything interesting, which is not by any means true. For me, I've just had to settle for taking fewer pictures and updating my 365 less often.I'm hoping my lack of inspiration is due to how busy this month is for me... I guess we'll see!
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Then walk with camera in hand with one eye open, if no possible picture appears, close that one and use the other eye. This will sound foolish to most people, but each eye gives you a different perspective on things. Let your imagination out of the box, look for the unusual, go for that picture that I will never see unless you show me. I haven't been doing much lately myself but I do watch all the time for what to take. I bet that if you were here and I was there we would not be able to stop taking pictures. This might not help you much, but it did give you something to read. Good luck, and now go out and take a picture, maybe just rain hitting a puddle, or in instrument player on the side walk.
Also, familiarity with your surroundings can make it more difficult to identify photo opportunities. Everything can be a photo if you change your perspective.
From rubbish and weeds on the ground:
To birds in the sky:
These are all pics I've taken on my walk to and from work. No doubt you'll start finding things on your route when you look with a different mindset - more and more things every time. Just keep persevering, you can do it!
@rrt I don't think it's foolish to close one eye and see what it shows me. I think it's a great idea. I may just try it. I think I do need to think outside the box.
@rebcastillo77 You have a pretty interesting idea, too. Perhaps, thinking outside the box and gaining a new perspective is what I need.
@madmazda86 Your photographs are great! They are inspiring me to try the frame idea and all the other ideas other users have given me. Your photographs give me hope.
Thank you everyone for the advice you've given me. I genuinely can't wait to see what tomorrow has to offer as I walk from the subway station to school.
I would love to see store windows from NY, taxis, your school, tall buildings, dirty sidewalks etc. How about unusual fashion trends. I watch Project Runway, does anybody really wear clothes like that?
I'm going through my own slump recently. More and more I don't pick up my camera. I guess it's a mixture of boredom and lack of focus. When I'm consciously thinking all the time "what do I shoot?" I take many more pictures, and see things I don't normally see as photo worthy making fantastic photos.
There are a lot of great suggestions here as to things to shoot, and themes to shoot. I say just force yourself into taking pictures. Instead of going shopping, go for a walk with your camera. I'd be shooting like mad if I lived where you do, so soak it in :P
I've been stumped for the last week too :/
The worst thing I feel would be for me to stop now, as I'm thinking of doing, but there are so many wonderful people on this site that encourage us and I would miss them dreadfully. So just think I have extended my hand - take a hold of it and lets go for a walk down the street.
I cannot get out as much as I could last year my hubby is not real well, so I need to hold your hand so I will keep on here. Thanks x