 - Nevia Cashwell Contact Nevia Cashwell Nevia Cashwell's Gallery |
How to recapture lost inspiration About a year ago due to the death of a close, personal friend, I pretty much put down my camera and haven't picked it up since. Actually once in a while, I will pick it up, even maybe go out for the purpose of taking some shots, but I just can't seem to get there. Before that I was actively involved in Betterphoto, since then I've rarely visited the site. Just today in an effort to kick start myself, I signed up for a class and the Masterpiece Membership but already I am worried that I will not get my inspiration back. I know that someone else out there has gone through these down times and was wondering what you may have done to rekindle your creative juices. thanks for any input. Nevia
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
What's the connection with your friend and taking pictures and explore that with photos.
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- Nevia Cashwell Contact Nevia Cashwell Nevia Cashwell's Gallery |
Interesting concept, Gregory. I am going to give that some thought. thanks
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Aimee C. Eisaman |
I have not been into photography for long enough to have any down times, but I have in the past lost interest in things dear to my heart and it usually was other people (humanity) in general that brought me back to inspiration. I think that signing up for a class and joining Masterpiece will do wonders for you simply because of the people you will meet and share with! :~)
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doug Nelson |
for your friend I photograph because this is my way of sharing what pleases me with others, just as you shared so many things in your life with me. I am giving back because you gave to me, every day I knew you. It's my way of thanking you.
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Brenda J. Weaver |
It's hard once you lose someone close to you. It's as though a piece of you has also gone away. Time does heal. After the death of my husband it took me a little while to find my way back to the camera. I did take it up and use it now and again, but some of the passion was gone. Don't give up. Make a plan to do your photography, once a week, once a month and slowly it will come back. Peace be with you.
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- Nevia Cashwell Contact Nevia Cashwell Nevia Cashwell's Gallery |
Brenda ... I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Time does heal but slowly. I joined the monthly Masterpiece membership that assigns one project per month. Hopefully this will help me get back into my photography. Not ready for the weekly assignments in the courses. thanks again and take care. Nevia
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Meghan Gonski |
Give yourself time to grieve. Look at old photos of your friend and be thankful that you had the gift of photography so you can look at your friend even after she/he is gone. I find looking at my old photos rekindles me to do better, to take more photos. Looking at my old photos lets me know hey, despite what your going through you were good. you can be good again. just pick up that camera. I think it's couregous and wonderful you signed yourself up for the MM and a class on BP. That is the first step. It's going to be hard, but it will get better and you will find yourself thinking what next? Good luck
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- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I deal with bouts of depression and during those times I don't have much interest in anything. Thankfully, this only lasts for a day or so and I am back into photography. I guess it would be more of a mood swing than depression. I travel with a lady I met some years ago at a workshop. We email everyday and I have often thought about how I would feel if something happened to her. I would encourage you to sign up for a workshop at some location you have always wanted to see. Join a local camera club or art league. Make yourself get up and go. Finally, you may need to get some help in the form of counseling or medications to help you get through this. About ten years ago I went through something similar and the counseling did wonders. Not being interested is a symptom. I discovered the reasons behind the choices I had made my whole life. During that period I took up photography and it has been the best blessing..... I am retired now and I don't know how much longer I can climb around on rocks or get down low for those macros but when that happens, I will take up painting! Look forward to what lies ahead and know that this too shall pass.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Usually I feel like letting people know when the comment on a thread has an origin that is this long ago. But I'm actually wondering what happened. And also made me think of something else. Now I want to qualify this by saying it is NOT a good idea, unless you give it a lot of thought, but not a good idea to buy something when you're feeling down. Especially with the expense that photo equipment can have. If it's a purchase that you're already considering, maybe then go ahead. But getting something that you haven't had or maybe better than what you have, can put you back into the kitchen, enjoying eating what you've been cooking. Got a new lens and am waiting on new camera. Supposed to have come together, but Adorama. Been a while since I've bought anything through them, and I hope they're not dumping stuff they know is faulty on people. And if anyone suddenly sees a used 5D III that is listed as new condition, never been used, that's the one I sent back for refund. Been a little while since I've had a working camera, (digital that is) and now I'm just focusing on things with the lens on a film camera.
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- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I did not notice the date on the original post... what's going on? That's enough for me.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
What do you mean? You get an alert about this thread or something?
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
Gregory / Harriet, I remember this post popping up at the top of the forum page because I saw it too..it was one of those bot programs or something that had a spurious reply in it that pushed it to the top. Seems like BP removed the spurious comment, but it stayed at the top of the board. So, it's no surprise that someone, Harriet, saw it and assumed it was current without looking at the date of the last reply. But her comments are just as appropriate today as they would have been back in 2009. Perhaps others have read the comments and taken some inspiration from them.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Wanted to update. Adorama was doing right. Had to find out after lot of frustration that the 5D III needs to have the battery in for the viewfinder to work right. After looking over the web and not finding anything, found out by accident. Felt like the only one who didn't know that. Even some of the Canon people may not have known. So if you see a used but new condition 5D III, go ahead and get it. Except the manual won't tell you about the viewfinder until page 30.
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
I just renewed my Gallery for another year. Its a great way for me to keep at things photography for the last many years. Thanks BP :) UB.
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Sharon D. Ebert |
I had put away my camera after my mother's death. No desire to pick it up again. Someone wisely told me that's when I most need to pursue it. When we lose someone in death we often shut down the pleasures in life. Sometimes the pain of loss is our current connection to them and pleasure seems disloyal. I finally gave myself a "photo a day" assignment and put it in a Diaro journal along with five gratefuls each day. At first my photos were just boring everyday things in my home. Then setting up things to practice my lighting. Soon I lost a premature baby granddaughter. Instead of closing down I took a really nice photo of the burial vessel with a pink baby blanket as a surround and backdrop. When I gave it to my daughter it reminded me how important my photography is to someone else and no one else could have made the portrait as beautiful as I did not with the love I put I to it. Shortly thereafter I started taking online course to resurrect my skills, desire and creativity. Some days I want to throw in the towel, but then I come up with something I love or someone else likes. I continue with online courses and now also give myself my own assignments and am learning what kind of photography I love and am good at. I also seem to be the memory keeper for friends and family, freezing moments in time that later become precious memories. And finally, the hardest part in loss is "finding our feet" and moving on. Maybe try doing a heartwarming photo project as a yearly anniversary of your friend's death.
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
Hi Sharon....a very powerful testimony. Thanks for sharing...and for pursuing your love for photography!
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Thats great to hear, Sharon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated. UB.
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