Stuck in a rut...

[sueq54172]

So, I've taken photos for a couple of weddings and tons of portraits since I started taking photos about two years ago. It seems lately that my photos have gotten considerably worse instead of better. Maybe I'm not trying as hard?! This doesn't just apply to creativity, but also general technique! I have a wedding in April and two weddings in June. Any suggestions on how to step it up and get out of this slump?

[OeterB]

Well, I don't know, coz I've not seen your flickr or anything, but perhaps you're just a bit over taking photos of people. I know with my writing, I get tired of the one thing... I get sick of writing my novel, I work on some poems; sick of them, I work on an essay, or read; sick of writing all together, I do some photography or something.

Perhaps you need to move away from portraits and weddings for just a little bit till you get your swing back. Work on some landscapes, or some shots of inanimate objects, or something. Get involved with the Assignments; I'm finding it great to take some photos of different things.

[wdogg40]

Maybe try shooting some other things like outdoor landscapes or architecture or things that are not people. Go for a weekend trip even if it is a short one.

Also get back to basics. Refresh yourself with some of the basic things that new photogs do.

Go to the library or book store and look through photo books to get ideas or shots you want to replicate. Flickr is good for this as well.

I'm kind of in the same mood only cause the weather has been awful and I haven't been able to go anywhere and am tired of taking the same shots of my wife and daughter (they are just as sick of me taking pictures of them as well!).

Good luck!

[OeterB]

Great minds, wdogg. Variety is the spice of life, and all.

[Gobae]

Maybe you're trying TOO hard?

I know when I learn a new skill I seem to hit a patch where I've learned more than I can successfully do. The harder I try to process and act on what I've learned the worse the shot is because I end up ignoring the basics or the underlying skills needed to pull it off.

[dcclark]

In anything where a lot of learning and improvement is involved, you'll hit plateaus. Sometimes you'll even hit valleys (as it sounds like you have done). I've found this myself. The suggestions above to find new and different types of subjects are excellent. You can also try doing things like using only a P&S camera -- it'll be unusual and different for you to be limited in that way. Sometimes I work on composition by using only my cell phone. Those photos don't typically see the light of day, but they're a good shake-up. Keep trying.

[Rolling Stone]

Take me out to dinner! ; )
I can agree with those above. Or maybe go somewhere with out your camera for a couple of days and just look at the big picture. Life. Look, smell, feel, taste and just escape.

[sueq54172]

Thanks guys! I think I was just being too hard on myself and it was causing me to burn out and be critical of myself...therefore doing a worse job on photos or at least seeing it that way in my mind.

I have put the camera down for about a week and spent more time with my children and husband. That seemed to help.

Suzette