Plateaus, walls, and other such metaphors for being "stuck"

What did you or do you do when you feel you have hit a flat spot, where you aren't growing anymore?

I am at a point where what I want out of photography is different than it used to be. I hit this same point with "traditional art" (I used to draw, a lot) and I couldn't really get to that next level.

I guess I am just wondering if other people have hit this, what they did, where they went with it, whatever you feel about the subject. Classes, workshops, hitting yourself in the head, whatever!

I see on your smugmug that you have mostly cars, landscape and still life. Are you just bored of what you are currently shooting? Your wedding gallery is nice have you thought about shooting portraits or more weddings? Working with people is a whole new challenge, and I find very rewarding.

I have been trying to get in as a second shooter with someone at a wedding (that one wedding I did was a weird last minute "oh sure you need one I will do it why not" kind of things and I lucked out that it came out ok. That was a few years ago too, I was sooo not ready for that). For some reason I have been passed up for other people haha. Guess I need to go after it, email some local photogs and annoy them, see if I can make something happen on that front.

But yes, I have been trying to move away from automotive stuff. Mainly I think its a thing that has less to do with what I shoot and more to do how I creatively think about the whole concept of photography that I need to change maybe. haha. Maybe I am over thinking it.

I understand it can be frustrating trying to find creativity at times. Regarding "less to do with what I shoot and more to do how I creatively think" would you not agree that if you are bored shooting one type of subject that it can kill your creativity? If you look at music for example, sometimes and artist will drastically change their style and therefore their sound, trying to be creative. If you are familiar with MGMT- their new album is wayy different then their old one (I don't really care for it, but appreciate what they are trying to do). Changing your style and what you shoot may give you a totally fresh new outlook in photography and the creativity will come from within.

True true. I have started taking pics of things I didn't used to. Though right now I am trying to get out of the trap I seem to fall into of trying to take pictures that make people go "wow that is so neat" and work on taking photographs that are saying what I want them to say. I think its a thing that happens when I see some certain kinds of photos get lots of praise on a messageboard. Praise feels good so then I find myself trying to emulate people's shots for the praise, and not because that is the direction I want to go creatively.

It happens with writing also. Sometimes I just need to put it down and stop thinking about it for a while.

sometimes when I am stuck on a particularly perplexing design problem at work, i will go for a long drive, or do something out of my normal window like go bowling or go hit some balls at a batting cage or driving range. anything to shake things up a little and allow your subconcious a little time to get out and roam around a little while your 'main brain' is busy driving or relearning an old long lost skill like throwing darts while drinking beer.
I probably come up with more ideas while driving than any other activity- sorry for running all those red lights but I was busy thinking in the abstract.