hoping the spring will make me feel like a photographer again...

[DStanic]

This winter has been rough. I have not used my camera very much at all. It's sad really...

My last 2 purchases, a 430ex (second flash) and a 85mm f/1.8 have drained my spending account, I've only got $20 in it since January. I thought those 2 items would have got me through the winter with some wireless ETTL and the 85mm for its low light abilities, but I just don't feel like taking pictures, and I'm almost "mad" at the gear for taking all my spending money. How crazy is that?

I was really wanting to get a 30D or 40D and have my XTi as a second body (for doing weddings and stuff) but if I'm gonna feel bad for spending THAT much money into this hobby, that would not help. But I don't plan on getting one until sometime in the summer anyways.

I really hope I get back into photography soon.. I haven't been in a rut this bad since I started 2yrs ago. I almost feel like selling all my stuff and putting the money towards saving up for an older (80s) Corvette or some project car since that is my other hobby, but I only have money for one or the other. But if I did sell my gear, I would never be able to buy the lenses I have now for the prices I paid.. I know I should keep them. On top of everything, my wife and I are starting to look for a house now which is #1 priority and I want to put any money nessesary into that. I'm starting to feel quilty for spending money on myself even though we both put $200/mth in our own spending accounts for hobbies/going out/whatever. I need to get out of this apartment ASAP.

*sigh* :|

[Grimes]

Welcome to the club...I took some pics two weeks ago, but the weather and light has just been horrible lately. I'm going to try to do some night shots here when it snows later...hopefully some keepers then!

[Jon, The Elder]

Yup....happens to me for the last 45 years of shooting, every February and March. I never have gotten used to it., but, I do survive.

[TooManyShots]

I am so glad I am an all weather person, tend to like bad and moody weather.

[DStanic]

Part of the problem with winter is that I work outside a good part of the day (I'm an auto detailer at a used car dealership) so I don't feel like shooting or doing any winter sports etc. that I might otherwise feel like doing. I've only gone out a few times this year in the cold with my gear. Once with my friend Jamie cause he got his first DSLR, but he lives over an hour away so I don't see him too often.

[brianch]

winter in canada is heck... i've been so busy this winter with work that i've barely taken my camera outside. going to change a few things once spring comes so hopefully i will have more time to enjoy the things i love.

[mrfixitx]

I feel your pain, I've been lucky this year and had a few fun portrait sessions to liven up my winter.

Spring is almost here, then I'll be out shooting like crazy.

[GTP_Jamie]

Dave, We'll get out this summer, just be patient! I gotta get you to come to the track with me and get some good action shots of the car!

Jamie

[DStanic]

Dave, We'll get out this summer, just be patient! I gotta get you to come to the track with me and get some good action shots of the car!

Jamie

Thanks Jamie. I'll give the car a good wax (and polish that darn quarter panel) and give it the photo session that it deserves. And i'd love to get your car with the "new" rims as well. :)

[cleo]

I'm in Nova Scotia and know exactly what you mean. Keep your chin up, spring will soon be here. I just bought some new gear and haven't been able to use it outside yet. Things will get better.

[cgatto]

I'm in Nova Scotia and know exactly what you mean. Keep your chin up, spring will soon be here. I just bought some new gear and haven't been able to use it outside yet. Things will get better.

I'm in Halifax! Pleased to meet you!

I'm the same way. I shoot about 1/10th of the amount in the winter as I do in the summer.

[Here and There]

I'm the opposite! My shooting goes way down in the summer. I work outdoors in grounds maintenance and am not a big fan of hot weather. After being outside in the hot sun all week, the last thing I want to do is spend a lot of time outside. I'll go for an early morning walk to the beach and after that I prefer to spend as much time as I can inside the house where it's nice and cool.

Besides my dislike for hot weather, my interests in photography are better suited for fall/winter/spring. Bird photography is best here in fall and winter when birds (especially shorebirds) come to escape the winter cold. I also enjoy gardens and scenic areas for landscape shots better during the fall/winter/spring when there's not as many tourists.

[goldboughtrue]

I feel the same as you, although I don't want to sell my equipment. Plan some trips around your area, if that's what you do in the spring. That will help keep you focused and excited about it.

[PhotosGuy]

but I just don't feel like taking pictures Everyone goes through the S.A.D. thing here up north. Too bad, but we live with it.
Get off your butt & out of the rut. Life goes on. There are some nice things happening in my windows right now. Look out yours. Bright light is good for S.A.D.

346567

It's called "tough love". ;)

[scpictaker]

Come on winter is the best 7 months of the year here in Wisconsin. I almost forgot how to run my 50D its been so long. The thing will probably break when and if it ever gets warm here and it actually gets used1

[The Moose]

I'm glad I'm into sports photography, the winter won't be so bad for me! The summer's been alright, actually. I'm in Australia by the way, so that's why I'm talking about the opposites :lol:

[picturecrazy]

Get off your butt and shoot no matter the season!!! There is nobody to blame but yourself. There are a zillion photographic opportunities around you.

If you are feeling BLAH due to S.A.D. as Frank mentioned, take 5000iu of vitamin D3 daily. D deficiency is an epidemic around canada in winter.

[PhotosGuy]

take 5000iu of vitamin D3 daily. My doc put me on 1,000 which he said was enough for a paleface, white guy. :D

[birdfromboat]

next year take a phot class at the local community college winter term. The assignments are interesting and get your juices going, and you have access to printers only government subsidised entities can afford to maintain without a profit margin. I have to admit alot of my assignments have been met by shooting indoors, and I am an outdoor dog. Still, any opportunity to learn is worth getting out of bed for, and I am enjoying my second winter term photo class in a row, probably do it again next year.

[Tumeg]

This winter has been rough. I have not used my camera very much at all. It's sad really...

My last 2 purchases, a 430ex (second flash) and a 85mm f/1.8 have drained my spending account, I've only got $20 in it since January. I thought those 2 items would have got me through the winter with some wireless ETTL and the 85mm for its low light abilities, but I just don't feel like taking pictures, and I'm almost "mad" at the gear for taking all my spending money. How crazy is that?

I was really wanting to get a 30D or 40D and have my XTi as a second body (for doing weddings and stuff) but if I'm gonna feel bad for spending THAT much money into this hobby, that would not help. But I don't plan on getting one until sometime in the summer anyways.

I really hope I get back into photography soon.. I haven't been in a rut this bad since I started 2yrs ago. I almost feel like selling all my stuff and putting the money towards saving up for an older (80s) Corvette or some project car since that is my other hobby, but I only have money for one or the other. But if I did sell my gear, I would never be able to buy the lenses I have now for the prices I paid.. I know I should keep them. On top of everything, my wife and I are starting to look for a house now which is #1 priority and I want to put any money nessesary into that. I'm starting to feel quilty for spending money on myself even though we both put $200/mth in our own spending accounts for hobbies/going out/whatever. I need to get out of this apartment ASAP.

*sigh* :|

Wow, I came here to post pretty much this EXACT same thing.

All winter long, (well, not so much in December... I had a few good shoots) I have felt like this. I bought the 85mm f/1.8 back in January, and I STILL haven't taken it outside, to give it some real use!
I haven't taken a good photo, in a while. All of my inspiration is completely drained, all of my ideas are gone.
I am not sure if it's just because I don't have my license, so I can't go to new places to photograph, or if it's because I have photographed literally everything, within walking distance of my house.

I have been TRYING to shoot, but, I have so little inspiration that it just feels too much like a chore right now.
I WANT it to be spring! I WANT to be inspired! I WANT to take photos! But I just can't right now.
The lighting is so drab, the colors are so bleh.... I guess it will just have to wait.

I was HOPING to take a photo class at my local community college this semester, but, with my mid-terms and other h\w, the registration window just flew right by...

EDIT: I noticed all of you guys are in Canada, haha... I am in Southern California. It has been 65-80 degrees this past month or so... And I still feel bleh about photography. Maybe it isn't the weather. Maybe I am just out of it right now.

[Bosscat]

There are seasons for photography? I'm glad we have winter, and that I don't let it get me down, or I'd miss getting shots like these at -20 and -30 below.

Embrace the winter and don't let it run your life. I run my life the same regardless of the weather. As a young child, I spent hours looking for winter scenes to shoot and then would come home to develop the film and print the pics in my fathers darkroom.

Oh, and buy and wear proper winter clothing, eat right, and have fun.

[hachi]

bosscat nice pics! it almost got me in the mood to go out n shoot... too bad its 3:40 over here right now.

time change happened tonight, hopefully more daylight will get us out of this shooting rut.

[Rainyday]

Here in San Antonio, winters are mild and perfect for photography. The spring is full of wildflowers. But then summer comes and the heat is obscene. Really nasty, you can get ill if you stay out too long. Ruins my motivation for taking pictures. Too hot for the zoo, too hot for the landscapes, too hot to do anything!