Help get me out of my "kids only" slump!!!

[Mum2J&M]

My kids are great, really. But how much can you continue to take pictures of the same people day after day - especially kids who want nothing more than to stick their tongues out, or turn their backs to you for EVERY shot? Sure, the random shot from behind is nice, but it does get a little tiresome and frustrating to say the least. I really want to venture out and do other stuff, but I am always with them and can't exactly request to go off on an adventure and leave them home alone (as much as the idea appeals to me right now). I find myself somewhat bored with landscape shots, but there is a nice lake right behind us and I'm dying to get some nice images. I've been staying at home for 4 years and often feel like a slave. It's truly a thankless job - and the toughest I've had after my 20 years in the workforce. I am an emotional blob by the end of the day. Anyway, how do you get away from what you know and get into something new? I know, just do it... but where to start?

[In2Photos]

Well I am not sure how you would go about getting out to take the pics (need someone to watch the kids I guess) but here is something you could try:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170603

[HoRnYTuRbO]

take the kids hiking, check out flowers and nature stuff get them involed in bugs or animals. you could take them fishing and u can take pics of the lake or what not

[Jon, The Elder]

Get away from them !
Beg or pay a neighbor, friend, or passing stranger.

Go somewhere they have Trees and Flowers....or race cars, or animals.
think only of yourself and what you would like to capture for quiet time viewing. Twice a week if you can.
Late in the evening, fire up the computer and look at all the wonderful things you shot, and almost got perfect. Plan your next 2 hour outing.

[c3p1]

I too have gone through this. For me, we joined the local zoo. This allowed me to take the kids somewhere and I could shoot the animals. If a zoo is not close, how about a pond, lake, stream, park, garden etc.. as mentioned above. These are great ways to get out and take pictures of other things and your kids will enjoy it as well!
Good luck!
Paul

[liza]

Hire a babysitter. You need time to yourself. Go to a botanical garden, take a drive in the country, do some macros, etc. etc. You'll be glad you did. :)

[Nanboh]

Not sure what you can do about the kids but you can try and explore your photography in a different way by doing some macro stuff. This can let you explore the world around you in your very own home and yard--playing with light on objects, learning to recognize unusual patterns in everyday things, studying water and glass and reflections etc. It can be lots of fun, well, at least to me :oops:

Good luck to you--I've been there but at the time I had a dark room in the house I could hide out in after they went to bed. Now they're grown up and I miss having them to model at a moments notice :)

Cheers

[StewartR]

...you can try and explore your photography in a different way by doing some macro stuff. This can let you explore the world around you in your very own home and yard...I'm doing a similar project when I have some spare time. I'm trying to get some really good close-up images of things like strawberries, and kiwi fruits to frame and brighten up the kitchen. It's great fun.

[StewartR]

Or, get a cat. There is no limit to the amount of time one can spend photographing a cat. And there's a ready-made place for people to coo over your results: Post your CAT pictures here! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127944). (Your children are special to you, but a cat is special to all cat owners.)

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks guys. We have a cat and a dog. I guess I'm trying to venture out into things other than living beings - or at least beings that are close to me. I think I'm burnt out because I have in-laws in England and am constantly getting pictures of those things for them. I need something for me. Kwim? I'll keep my eye out. Babysitters are hard to come by during the day and by the time my husband gets home, he wants a break too. Ugh, kids.

[PhotosGuy]

Babysitters are hard to come by during the day ... Do we need to suggest that you look for someone else who needs a break & trade off? ;)

A walk by the river (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2167717)

[In2Photos]

Thanks guys. We have a cat and a dog. I guess I'm trying to venture out into things other than living beings - or at least beings that are close to me. I think I'm burnt out because I have in-laws in England and am constantly getting pictures of those things for them. I need something for me. Kwim? I'll keep my eye out. Babysitters are hard to come by during the day and by the time my husband gets home, he wants a break too. Ugh, kids.
I am sure there has to be a Mother's Morning Out in your area. Try this:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mothers+morning+out%2C+cary+nc

[gymell]

Or, get a cat. There is no limit to the amount of time one can spend photographing a cat. And there's a ready-made place for people to coo over your results: Post your CAT pictures here! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127944). (Your children are special to you, but a cat is special to all cat owners.)

I agree - I'd much rather look at photos of other people's cats than their kids! :lol:

[StewartR]

I agree - I'd much rather look at photos of other people's cats than their kids! :lol:It's a universal truth.

[TheGreatOg]

Is there a night class for photography at a local college? You'd have a venue to talk shop with other people interested in photography. It's at night, so you'd have a bonafide excuse to get out once a week and leave the kids with dad. And the course assignments would give you a direction and excuse to get out and shoot other things. Just a thought.

[neumanns]

It's a shame your so far...I'd take your 2 kids for 2 hours for you taking my 4 for 1 hour! How's every other day sound?

I'm a stay at home dad...and my wife works night's,

But on the upside...If I ever have to file an insurance claim.......Things around here are documented......From every angle! There's even probably a couple duplicate pictures of the living room wall oposite the couch!!

[Mum2J&M]

Becky - I actually took a photo class last year at a local camera store at night and yes, it did give me a great excuse to get out and then to go do my assignments. Unfortunately, we aren't in a position to afford that right now. :(

[relsah]

Hire a babysitter. You need time to yourself. Go to a botanical garden, take a drive in the country, do some macros, etc. etc. You'll be glad you did. :)

or better yet, shoot the babysitter :) :) :)

[Mark_Cohran]

Get away from them !
Beg or pay a neighbor, friend, or passing stranger.

Go somewhere they have Trees and Flowers....or race cars, or animals.
think only of yourself and what you would like to capture for quiet time viewing. Twice a week if you can.
Late in the evening, fire up the computer and look at all the wonderful things you shot, and almost got perfect. Plan your next 2 hour outing.

Pretty much echoes any suggestions I might have for you.

Or, think of a project you'd like to shoot - it can be as outlandish as you'd like. Mailboxes, vines, weird shapes, etc. I'm doing a couple of projects right now. Just pick something different and make an effort to get out and shoot it.

Mark