Discouraged :(

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.

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.

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.

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

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=551251

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 …huber/303806661​4/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.co​m/Volume%203/621604

michaelgreen78 wrote in post #7018407
...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 …huber/303806661​4/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

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.

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:

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!!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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