ughh, in a rut

[Miyagi-san]

Man, I cannot shake this "photog-rut" I'm in lately....sort of like writers' block for photographers...

I REALLY wanted to lighten my load, so I ditched my grip, primes, and picked up a sigma 17-70....

The transition from primes to zoom is going horribly for me. I will give it a few more sessions but it's really killing my creativity I feel.

Went on a shoot today and thought at the time I was taking some great shots, got home and out of nearly 200 I really am not excited in the least about even one of them. funny as I was taking a few I thought to myself "these are going to be REALLY good..."

I know I shouldn't blame the gear, but do you think some people just shine with primes? I can't take a keeper with a zoom lens to save my life it seems...not sure if it's a "I'm in a rut thing" or if I just shoot better with a prime lens...I'm really not used to a wide angle either. I found that although I have really been wanting to get into wide shooting, I really have no clue how to compose that wide...it's a lot tougher than I thought! all my shots just look like typical tourist shots...definitely not up to par with the shots i normally pump out....

Anyway, thanks for reading my whine-fest :) sort of just "thinking out loud..."

[Vinni]

I totally know where you're coming from. I've been trying to let go of my primes and I've been told to replace them with reasonably good zooms but I just can't do it. For some odd reason I am better when I, the photographer, am the zoom; I don't know if this is a curse or a blessing.

Go back to the primes, Miyagi, somebody has to continue to buy the primes.

[BottomBracket]

Hmmmm, one would think that you should have an easier time with zooms. Miyagi, consider yourself blessed as you have talent with primes and largely unsoiled by zooms. Keep at it though, you'll get the hang of it.

[august23]

I sometimes forget my 10-22 is a zoom, as the only two lenses I have otherwise are primes. That said, my 10-22 is on 10mm 95% of the time as I forget I can zoom. :p

[Ogrt48]

Just try and pretend its a prime for awhile. Put it to whatever length you've always done best at and just tape it there for a few days or weeks so you can't zoom. See if that helps at all.

[Titus213]

I know what you mean about a funk....but it's not your equipment. It's all in your head....:lol: The wife and I are talking about trying a real change of scenery to get over ours.

[solinger]

I know what you mean about zooms. I just can't get into the swing of them. I prefer primes and probably always will.

When I get in a creative rut I stop taking pictrures and enjoy whats around me. Look at magazines, go for hikes, daydream out the window while stuck in traffic... Sooner or later you'll find some inspiration. Probably not while looking for it though.

[Miyagi-san]

Thanks for the advice.... :)

I think the problem is I'm in a bit of a creative rut right now....and it's coincidence that it happened during my "gear swap"...

Maybe a little "time off" is in order to reset my creative eye :p

thanks again :) I just ordered a multi-coat CPL for the 17-70....I think that might help.

[bsmotril]

I'm going in the other direction. I had been shooting a lot of fast paced indoor RollerDerby with a zoom, and tried a 100mm prime for the first time on my last outing. I had been getting so-so shots, but this last outing was an eye opener for me seeing what the camera is really capable of. It's given me a new shot of creative energy. So maybe it is the gear ?