Uninspired. Just like the title of this blog post.

Still feeling quite uninspired. So I've been reading (Zack Arias blog; Joe McNally's The Moment It Clicks, and now started on David Duchemin's Within the Frame, which by the way is an EXCELLENT book), and got me thinking about my own photography journey.

I've realized that right now,

1.Technical know how
I have a lot more know how, both in theory and practical - well, at least more than say 1 year back.
I do know how to use my camera, I know a lot of the functions within the camera. I'm really quite happy with the gear I have, no particular yearnings to go get more stuff (a rarity!). 

To broaden my horizons, I've tried a few things:

a) HDR (not particularly keen);
b) Brenizar method (1 trick pony which I'm not very good at);
c) Light painting (if used properly, could be interesting)
d) "Time Splicing"  (whatever it is called, where you take a picture that transitions from day to night - takes time), but you do need a nice cityscape to carry this through. On the look out.
e) Panning (not very good at, need more practice) - something which doesn't replace having good composition
f) ND filters - love using this. But need great composition to carry this through.
g) Flash - knowing how to "manipulate" light properly, is one BIG learning curve, which I am but at the beginning. Something to keep practicing and learning.

I think it is useful to know these things, as tools to a trade, you learn how to use them, but use them only when they are useful. And in no way do they replace the need for great composition, and a great picture.

And I've been taking a lot of technically ok/functional pictures, which are otherwise quite uninspiring.

2.Things I'm NOT into
a) Macro, insects, flowers
This is a whole different field on its own. I'm fascinated with some really good insect close-ups, but on the whole, this genre is not something I'm that interested in.
Possibly I might get a Macro lens to go shoot some strange close-ups, Iris, bible, make the familiar unfamiliar. Not right now.

But show me another picture of insects making out, and I'll SSSSCCCCCREEEAAAMMM!!!!

b. Studio set ups, multiple light sources
Just need to master using ONE light source (flash) plus ambient light first.

c.Architecture
I actually do like this, and first thing that I do when I walk into a new building is to see if there is anything interesting or angles I can shoot at. But architecture by itself, is starting to feel like there is little "meaning" , its could be a cold picture of an interesting architecture, but really it is hard to connect with it.

d.Stock photography
It's tough to even get accepted! I tried at 2 of the largest stock agencies, and failed. Too lazy to retry.
What they look out for, is completely different. It's not art, not vision, but technical perfection, and what would sell. It's not going to get me too excited about photography. So foggitabbodit.

e.Shooting for competitions/award/praise?
It was nice at the beginning (GPI, Pixoto, Podiumfoto, etc), bit of an ego booster. But I want to shoot pictures I can be proud off, not to please others or to "win" awards. I'll still enter, if I think a picture is good enough, but it'll be very much a by-the-way thing.


3.Things I want to shoot

I want to shoot pictures which have meaning, if not to others, at least to myself. I want pictures to speak to the viewer. It's a goal which I've yet to even
 
a) Family
I always want to shoot them, events in our lives, because they have meaning to me. Boring yes, but great to remember stuff.

b) Cityscape & Street
 It's where I live. I want to express what it is like living in a place, through a photograph.
Maybe I will start a theme, like people taking public transportation. 

c) People
I realize I like portraits. Portraits of the old guy with years engraved on his face. Portraits of people around me - whether through their expression or lack there of, you can tell something of the person. Maybe environmental portraits, where it sets the person in a context of where they are, or where they live. I have a feeling a lot of this will be in Black and White. I love B&W photos.

d) Landscapes
It's always about composition and light. Capturing a great scene, with great light, is magical. I will always be on the look out for this.

e) Style
Starting out, I was trying lots of different things, different post production. But I'm beginning to think about shooting that is something characteristically me. I don't have enough experience to have a style, but just something to think about.

And it starts with post production. I love black and whites, so I'll always have that. And for color, I probably will start to lay off the gimmicky filter looks. Try and post pro much more subtly. nuanced, rather than much more obvious post pro I've done in the past (inspired by Zack Arias).

 f) Vision
I want to see, to really see. I think I still will keep shooting whatever, but to learn to see pictures, see the unfamiliar, to shoot pictures with soul, pictures that will speak to the viewer by itself. I'm quite inspired by David duChemin's book, and only at the beginning. I'm not even there yet.

so uninspired that I had to write it all down.
Let's see.

Take a walk when you hit the wall.

I've been feeling that I've hit a photographic wall.
For the past few weeks, the pictures have been just functional, nothing too inspiring or creative.

So I took a walk home.
Carried my tripod, got my camera ready and my landscape lens (11mm) -and observed as I walk.
How things look different when you walk. You take the time to look, see lines, see people - whilst braving the smog and traffic.

I don't think I'm over that wall, at least I think I got 1 decent (not terrible inspiring) picture out of my walk. Just standing there at that junction, with cyclist, drivers and pedestrian looking at you crazy, seemed strangely liberating. Time seemed to slow, as the cars whizzed by.

Going to try the same walk again, this time with a street lens (35mm), and see what transpires.

So, when you hit a creative wall, go take a walk. May not do much for your photography, but it may give you a different perspective of the city you live in.

Just keep shooting.