Watch where you step!
First off, I’d like to thank Kajsa for her awesome post Saturday. She’s going to be a hard act to follow on Mondays.
A few months ago I spent a lot of time reviewing my work and thinking about the direction of my photography, not to mention the many projects I wanted to focus on in the coming months. I must admit I was struggling a tad with direction. I felt as though I completed quite a bit in the last few months, but that I had recently stalled and needed a new focus or project. I like to think of this “perceived” setback as part of my goal-driven DNA. I knew I just needed to jump start the creative process, so I decided to take the solo trip out West. I tend to be drawn to things at the extreme (depending on my mood) – busy streets filled with people to dilapidated buildings stuck in the middle of nowhere. It’s at these extremes that I seem to truly be “in my element” and able to find my inspiration and break through my creative roadblocks. I think at times we become callous to our creative needs. We plod along to the rhythm of our daily minutia, waiting for someone or something to wake us up and inspire us. It’s this versus us tackling our lack of innovation head-on. Creative roadblocks can be the worst, so the sooner you give yourself permission to “explore”, the sooner you’ll get back on track to fueling your innovation. So don’t let yourself fall into a rut. You learn nothing from rattlesnakes that don’t bite. Remember, indulging our “creative side” may feel selfish, but neglecting it can get downright ugly for everyone!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
John is an award winning landscape and travel photographer who splits his time between Chicago and Montana. His work has been featured in National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. John loves the outdoors and traveling, and sharing his images with others.
Subscribe to entries
Subscribe to comments
All content © 2010 by John Batdorff Photography Blog
Most of the time, I take a break and just ride it out. Sometimes, I start looking at the work of photographers I admire, or I start looking up photographers that are new to me and hope that I am inspired by them.
first off, you have inspired me (thank you). I am new to all this photography, but the one thing I know is I love it!!! I love your last line. I am a mother of two that put down my paint brush when they were born, I have a small home and couldnt fathom dragging out the all the paints, then putting them all away each time i wanted to paint. Feeling very stiffled (sp) creatively made me miserable (you can only change curtains and wall paint so many times!!). I knew I was missing something. My camera has become MY outlet and my satisfaction! Painting without the mess! As far as inspiration, God (aka mother nature) is mine!
first off, you have inspired me (thank you). I am new to all this photography, but the one thing I know is I love it!!! I love your last line. I am a mother of two that put down my paint brush when they were born, I have a small home and couldnt fathom dragging out the all the paints, then putting them all away each time i wanted to paint. Feeling very stiffled (sp) creatively made me miserable (you can only change curtains and wall paint so many times!!). I knew I was missing something. My camera has become MY outlet and my satisfaction! Painting without the mess! As far as inspiration, God (aka mother nature) is mine!
I can completely relate to this, John! I haven't done any shooting for a while (well, the co-ed bowling team for the high school may not count!). So, I took myself to Independence Grove in Libertyville yesterday. I shot and shot and shot everything, including practicing photographing seagulls in flight (not successfully, but I tried). I can't say I loved what I photographed, but it felt good to get out there and press the shutter button!
Hello my name is Traci you really inspire me I am very new at photography only two years into it but always had the love for it since Junior High.
Great input….thanks, John
LOL…I love your comment “painting without the mess”. Now, if you've seen me paint it's more than a mess it's what some would call a mistake.;) Thanks for you thoughts….
Yeah…sometimes you just need to get out an shoot to get back in the groove.
Traci, thanks for your comments. Keep shooting and stopping by the blog.