Discouraged :(

[0ozma]

Howdy,

I while back I bought my first DSLR due to my love for being the photographer at every event I went to. I messed around with it and loved it at first, but then winter came! I have zero motivation to go out and shoot now that it's so cold and uncomfortable. I don't really have fun shooting things indoors either - there's only so much you can do and I haven't built up a creative enough mind yet.

I'm often frustrated with my lack of skill and picture quality too since I'm somewhat a beginner still.

Anyways, I really feel like I'm slipping away from the photography thing - even considered selling my lenses that I've purchased. Anyone have anything to motivate me to get back in to it? What do you do over the winter? Dress warm and bare with it? Even then there is no outside activity due to the cold.

Thanks for any help you guys can give - I know I can always come here to find the answer to anything I need.

[braidkid]

I hear what you mean. Although it's a bit boring, i'm trying some still photography around the house while the weather is crappy. I've also begun learning Lightroom and find it stimulating enough to keep my interest. Other than that, I try to take my camera anywhere I go...out with friends, around town, etc.

I guess bottom line is to keep shooting and take your camera everywhere. Get creative with post-processing too.

[buddy4344]

Been there. I got out of the funk by building a home made light box (designs all over the forum), and shooting any and everything. I also stopping by the grocery each week buy fresh flowers. Funny, I think I have some great landscapes and wildlife, but I am constantly being asked to print some of the macro flowers for people.

This not only got me out of the funk, but also improved my understanding of lighting and dof.

[ryant35]

You need a project. I got board so I bought some duckies.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=551251

[Mike]

Don't lose heart. :)

I don't really get out as much as I want to during the naff weather either but it doesn't mean I'm going to give it up either. If you love using it it's silly to sell it if you stop for a couple of months.

Wrapping up and bearing the cold is not too bad an idea. Go for a walk around your home town/countryside whatever and try to see things from a different viewpoint - from above/below, shallow depth of field with your 50mm etc.

I saw some other forum members do something that helps stretch your photo brain which I have yet to try - spelling out the area you are in by photographing letters you can see in objects. It's pretty cool - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ankehuber/3038066614/sizes/l/

Also, have a look at other people's photos for inspiration. The POTN Book 3 voting gallery is awash with amazing pictures: http://potn.smugmug.com/Volume%203/621604

[Anke]

...I saw some other forum members do something that helps stretch your photo brain which I have yet to try - spelling out the area you are in by photographing letters you can see in objects. It's pretty cool - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ankehuber/3038066614/sizes/l/...

Small world, I happened upon this thread and found a link to me :) Thanks Mike :)
Its a great challenge to really get you out of your normal comfort zone, if its too cold try and do it indoors :)

[JeffreyG]

Well, I mostly shoot people, so winter is just the season to work on my flash photography knowledge. If you live with subjects you like to shoot then you have a something to do all winter. I live with four children so I have plenty.

If you are a things and places shooter try:
1. Peruse the photo sharing forum here at POTN and look for photographs you like. try to copy the photo in theme or processing or subject matter or lighting. Use these challenges as learning tools.
2. Look to shooting landscapes as a challenge to get out and be active. Take the camera and go rent a horse for a ride, or go cross country skiing or hiking or snowshoeing. Just use the camera as a good reason to get out.

[tonylong]

I can emphacize -- for me it's been a combination of things, including the weather, that has slowed my shooting down.

But, as others have said, it helps to find new subjects and opportunities. Some can be learning experiences, trying out new things, experimental macros, that type of thing.

Christmas day at my place was snowy, my daughter was visiting, and we decided to play around:
http://www.pbase.com/tonylong/image/107443784/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/tonylong/image/107445207/original.jpg

I also did some night shooting:
http://www.pbase.com/tonylong/image/107326164/original.jpg

Tried some night-time macro with flash:
http://www.pbase.com/tonylong/image/107817264/original.jpg

[Kiddo]

Been where you are.... But what I did was I put on my snowsuit and went out and shot snow images!!! This lead me to learn that it's not all that easy shooting in the snow... Which gave me a few new projects to work on.... Like how to get the metering right on really bright days!!!

[SouthernJumper]

I like to go to the "experimental/rainy day" part of the forum and get ideas from people. I'm also doing a 365 thing with Felix, my rubber duck.

[queenbee288]

I hate the cold weather so I don't shoot much in the winter either. Winter is a good time to practice your processing skills. Dig out your photos and learn some new processing techniques. Spring is just around the corner!

[bokchoi]

I agree that it's hard to get motivated to go out to shoot in the winter, but I use the time to go over pictures I've taken in the past season and experiment with post-processing techniques, and experimenting with lighting (table and floor lamps are a fun way to play around if you don't have an off-camera flash).

If you think there might be a photo opportunity outside, go for it, even if it's a bit chilly out. Otherwise, rest assured that in a few short months, it will be warm again, and you should be ready then to take more pictures. :)

[tylershumway]

I understand how you feel, and what I did in your situation was to give myself assignments. You said you were somewhat new to photography, so you might consider this too. Even though it can be boring to shoot indoors, go through your camera manual and use functions that you've never tried before. Test out their creative effects. Practice exposure. Few people talk about how essential practice is to photography, but just like with anything, you must practice in order to create great images.

Ever try creating a panoramic? Maybe read some articles about them and go test it out if your feeling up to going outside. A lot of people go out and buy something new for their camera to rekindle the excitement, but that can be very expensive.

[tonylong]

Oh, and I got inspired from a People Photo Sharing thread to do something I am generally averse to doing, a self-portrait shoot:

http://www.pbase.com/tonylong/image/107651891/original.jpg

[ultimakf7]

Start taking a look at photography books.. they'll provide a sense of direction and inspiration.

[DStanic]

Photography books

Learn Lightroom/Photoshop/any other software

Buy another flash (assuming you have one already) and so some wireless ETTL

If you go outside try shooting winter in B&W, since there isn't much color.

[400dabuser]

Only so much you can do indoor? All I can say is, that you have to be creative

[swimjax]

I have the same problem, as many others do. It doesn't snow much here (I'm in Jersey), so the landscape is barren, not very interesting, and it's cold outside.

Instead, I use the time to read photography books, check out some techniques from other photographers, and try to get out and shoot whenever I feel motivated or when we have some kind of weather event like snow, ice, etc.

One thing I need to do this year is learn some post processing. I got Lightroom last year and use it somewhat, but I'm a complete novice with it and need to learn some new, more advanced processing techniques.

Looking forward to spring to do some macro. Just got a macro lens and close up filters.

[0ozma]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I've been learning Photoshop and can do most of the basics. I have a pretty good hold on what the camera can do, but I do need to master the 580ex. I may have to check out some books on the whole being more creative part :) I suppose I'm not the best at getting the composition great.

[jgoodstein]

Well, I unlike others recommend you give it up and pass me all of your lenses for 1/4 of what you paid for them.

If you are going to stick with it you could move down here to florida where winter is like 2 weeks long. In all honesty learning/Improving photoshop, learning your flash, and making charts is best. I am currently helping my brother make a lighting chart for portraits for him to work off of using 1, 2, & 3 lights at different angles, heights and setups in our studio. This way we have reference cards to see which lighting rig is best for the setup/situation.

[Andrushka]

who needs to actually shoot pictures when you can just read POTN?? :-) hahaha

[MandaSue78]

exactly, read up, learn about it more. Mess around w/settings and try things

[JoYork]

I get into the same rut you're in from time to time... don't worry about it, one day you'll go out and come back with the one photo you'll treasure for years to come. It goes a long way in cancelling out all those days when you were in a pickle.

There are two areas of photography which can be great fun to do when the weather outside is dark and uninspiring... macro photography and night photography. Buy some extension tubes and you'll never be stuck for things to photograph. I once spent an evening photographing everything from buttons to paperclips, the fibres in clothing, even ball point pens. It's amazing how different everything looks when you're that close.

Night photography is good if you live near somewhere that has plenty of lights. All you need is a tripod warm clothing and you're away.

Oh, and there's nothing to say you can't torture your toy collection either. My friend came around one evening and we used my nifty fifty resting on an ironing board to create these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2115736459_95b33b1e96.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2115736565_7b3e4bfbf3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2116516604_e51e10bd5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2116516428_9409ed9c7a.jpg?v=0

[DStanic]

^^^Those are great! Hilarious!! Did you use a flash or just natural lighting?

I had a nifty before and sold it.. kinda miss it but thinking i should get a 50 f/1.4 next month when I have some cash.

[JoYork]

No flash, just indoor lighting. I hadn't had my camera long and the first lens I bought was the 50 1.8

The weather was awful and we were bored so he arranged the muppets and I did the camera work. Happy days :)

[kiwichris]

Howdy,

I while back I bought my first DSLR due to my love for being the photographer at every event I went to. I messed around with it and loved it at first, but then winter came! I have zero motivation to go out and shoot now that it's so cold and uncomfortable. I don't really have fun shooting things indoors either - there's only so much you can do and I haven't built up a creative enough mind yet.

I'm often frustrated with my lack of skill and picture quality too since I'm somewhat a beginner still.

Anyways, I really feel like I'm slipping away from the photography thing - even considered selling my lenses that I've purchased. Anyone have anything to motivate me to get back in to it? What do you do over the winter? Dress warm and bare with it? Even then there is no outside activity due to the cold.

Thanks for any help you guys can give - I know I can always come here to find the answer to anything I need.

Just do not sell your gear, you will definately come to rue the day if you do, speaking from experience. (Din't sell it really, it got stole and I gave up for a while).

ok its a 450D, slap your walk around lens on and take it with you when you get the groceries, shop displays can be good, inside and out. You must leave the house at times?, keep the battery charged and the camera with you, eventually you will want to point it at something, is there ice skating near you? Take it to the library and have a read.

I am presuming you live on your own? That can be boring as I do as well.

If not what about boudoir and etc shots of your wife, sweatheart, girlfriend? Nothing actually needs to be a keeper, but it is nice when it works and becomes a keeper.

Now you can wander off and think "Hah, blimmin crazy Kiwi" :D

[Anke]

Oh, and there's nothing to say you can't torture your toy collection either. My friend came around one evening and we used my nifty fifty resting on an ironing board to create these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2115736459_95b33b1e96.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2115736565_7b3e4bfbf3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2116516604_e51e10bd5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2116516428_9409ed9c7a.jpg?v=0

That is the coolest set of pics I've seen in ages :D :D :D

[cryforashadow]

Just because you don't like winter doesn't mean you have to sell your gear. You don't have to shoot all the time anyway. If you don't feel like shooting, don't. Inspiration will come sooner or later. And I'm sure everybody feels the same way sometimes, don't be so pessimistic.

[MattMoore]

Move to Central/South Texas. It's going to reach the 70s today.

But if you're cooped up in your house, maybe you should start playing with strobing.

I've been my own model in many a cabin-fever induced fashion shoot (I even signed a model release form for myself...just in case I go insane(r) and try to sue myself for copyrights).

[Pipedoc]

JoYork, Wonderful photos! I really like them. I still can't wipe the smile off my face!
:D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2115736459_95b33b1e96.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2115736565_7b3e4bfbf3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2116516604_e51e10bd5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2116516428_9409ed9c7a.jpg?v=0[/quote]

[Bosscat]

You need to embrace the season, even if you don't like the weather. I personally hate the cold, and I also hate extreme heat, but I just go with the flow,, and I know some of my most exciting photos have come when dealing with extremes. Just go have fun. For me its a job, but no matter what the weather, I try to make it fun. Or get a macro lens and shoot indoors, or learn light painting. No need to give up.

[SYS]

Nice shots, Bosscat!!

To the OP:

During winter seasons, I mostly do flash and studio photography indoors. I'm relatively new to flash and studio photography, and I find such interest during winter seasons to go perfectly with my outdoors photography interests the rest of seasons. Thanks to winter, I'm a better photographer now than ever before, as the cold weather kept me inside and forced me to learn about light and lighting. I also do a lot of DIY projects related to photography, such as creating my own lightbox for product photography, just to name one.... So there are many ways to keep up with your interest in photography all year round...

[yogestee]

I live in a perpetual summer,,although the wet season can be a pain..

[rdenney]

Anyways, I really feel like I'm slipping away from the photography thing - even considered selling my lenses that I've purchased. Anyone have anything to motivate me to get back in to it? What do you do over the winter? Dress warm and bare with it? Even then there is no outside activity due to the cold.

Hey, it's a hobby. If it's not fun, don't do it. Wait until motivation returns.

That said, when I was doing endurance sports, I was running dozens of miles each week. I found that I hated running until I got fit enough to run more than three miles. What I hated was the first three miles. When my fitness improved to the point where I could routinely run six miles, the enjoyment of the last three miles made enduring the first three miles worth it.

To a certain extent, you have to develop a bit of fitness so that the enjoyment of photography can overcome the frustration of limited technique or ability to see. Then, photography can move from the "fun" category to the "deeply satisfying" category, and the hardship will become part of the adventure. It won't need to be particularly fun to be rewarding at that point. The good news is that once you have it, you have it for life--it's not nearly as easy to lose as being able to run six miles. But getting it sometimes takes persistence.

Rick "who has had long periods of dormancy when the muse went on vacation" Denney

[photoguy6405]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2116516604_e51e10bd5d_b.jpg


Love it!

Anyway, I'm not a real big fan of the cold, either, but I do try to get a couple good days with snow shots so I have a little more variety in my library. Other than that, winter is my time for indoor light box shots, catching up on PP from the summer, etc.

I should add that I occasionally go through "photography funks" where I'm just not motivated at all and shoot nothing. Not being a pro it's not that big a deal since it doesn't affect the personal finances. It always passes and I get the bug again.

[neptunerain]

Don't be discouraged if you leave it for a little while. If this is your first experience with a dlsr, you have a lot of new techinques to learn. I put my camera away in January too. Don't pressure yourself to know it all by such and such date. You are not a failure and don't need to feel like all is lost bc you are not as interested at this moment. Forget winter photography, think forward... What do you want to shoot when the weather is warm? Plan for those expeditions. Just bc you like photography doesn't mean you to carry a camera around your neck everyday of the year. It is for pleasure. :). Don't force it! Good luck!

[robojack]

I get into the same rut you're in from time to time... don't worry about it, one day you'll go out and come back with the one photo you'll treasure for years to come. It goes a long way in cancelling out all those days when you were in a pickle.

There are two areas of photography which can be great fun to do when the weather outside is dark and uninspiring... macro photography and night photography. Buy some extension tubes and you'll never be stuck for things to photograph. I once spent an evening photographing everything from buttons to paperclips, the fibres in clothing, even ball point pens. It's amazing how different everything looks when you're that close.

Night photography is good if you live near somewhere that has plenty of lights. All you need is a tripod warm clothing and you're away.

Oh, and there's nothing to say you can't torture your toy collection either. My friend came around one evening and we used my nifty fifty resting on an ironing board to create these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2115736459_95b33b1e96.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2115736565_7b3e4bfbf3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2116516604_e51e10bd5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2116516428_9409ed9c7a.jpg?v=0
If this isn't inspiration for creative winter indoor shooting, then I don't know what is! :D

[ryant35]

By the way, the OP was discuraged almost 1 year ago. :) So I'm sure he's over it by now.

[MikeFairbanks]

I'm in a current funk as well. Frustrated with my lack of ability and lack of creativity. I've been shooting seriously for about a year and for eight months with a DSLR.

[jra]

By the way, the OP was discuraged almost 1 year ago. :) So I'm sure he's over it by now.
Yeah, not to mention that the OP already sold off his gear and decided to go with a P&S months ago :)