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Old 11-30-2008, 10:17 PM
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SurfinSandy SurfinSandy is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Kentucky
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looks like you've gotten lots of wonderful advise. I could repeat just about everything, everyone said. I have those times, and I often feel like what I really need is inspiration. Whether that comes from looking at other people's photos, taking another look at your own, or visiting new places, or old places in new seasons, is completely up to you. Photography is a form of self expression, and it's great you are looking into doing a blog. I started one about a year ago, and gave up, mostly because I didn't feel like it was really getting viewed. I should have continued working on it from a journal point of view, but that's part of that slump, I suppose.
I joined a couple groups in flickr that have weekly and monthly assignments, and now this site too. Just getting off my fanny and clicking and learning keeps my mind limber, and inspiration one more click away. You never know when you'll be inspired, or by what person or what object or scene. Keep your eyes and your mind open, and remember to take photos to please your own soul before someone elses'. Check out photography books from the library, and not just the how-to kind either, or even books on art in general. The arts span the mediums and one can imitate another.
Don't push yourself, but be there with a camera ready for when the light bulbs start lighting up!
It may help to know what kind of conditions you are most creative in, and try to be in that place more often. I'm a night owl, and it's not uncommon for me to think of something late at night, after sipping bourbon and wind up on the floor, in my p.j's, shooting at something to get a different angle or try a new technique. I call it experimenting, you might call it drunk or crazy. But I've wound up with some photos that pleased me. If I don't get joy from it, then it's useless!
I also like to wonder around when no other tasks are pressing. Looking for something, anything. The worst photos I have gotten probably come when I'm with other people who have agendas and schedules to keep and I feel like I'm being rushed to take my shots and get moving. Especially because I'm still learning many technical things with the camera, so I want to try the same shot in different settings, in hopes one of them will be right. I, too, hope to be able to get to the place soon, where I don't have to rely so much on post processing for great photos, and not have to take a card full of images, and only keep a few.
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