I don't mean permanently but did you ever get to a point where you just didn't feel like picking up the camera and taking some shots? This past week was one of those episodes for me. I don't remember it ever happening before. I'd think about doing some macro work or testing out some lenses and I just couldn't find the energy to do it.

Maybe it's all the PP I've been doing since the ARC National and the additional PP from 5 studio shoots since then. Maybe it's being a little depressed about Rowdy: he's finally starting to show his age and, physically, he's getting weaker. He's still his wonderful self but seeing him slow down is very sad.

Maybe I'm just tired. Rowdy's not the only one in this house getting old . Having said all that, this is the first time I can remember not having the desire to create images.

I think it's time for drastic remedial action: today I'll take the camera and force myself to take some shots of things I don't normally shoot. Fun stuff. Stuff for my portfolio and not for sale. Stuff I like regardless of what others think. I'll let you know if it works.

Jim

Take a break. Go out to a minor league ballgame, go to the zoo, go to some places you never go. Visit some art galleries or an exhibit or a museum. Take Rowdy out to a park or a pond and play. Just you and him.

Take a break from email and Photoshop.

Did I mention play with Rowdy?

It also helps if you buy yourself a new toy

Quote:

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It also helps if you buy yourself a new toy

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Yeah, I've thought about that, too . Maybe Rowdy can buy me a new lens for Fathers Day. Actually, I have been spending time with Mr. R and he makes sure I know that he wants more of it. We still have our daily adventures.

You're right, of course. Maybe just getting away from the keyboard would be a good head-cleaning exercise. Maybe Rowdy and I on a beach at sunset. I'll try to work that out.

Jim

Jim, a shrink told me once that creativity is the first thing to go with depression . No one can help you pick yourself up but you. For me, being around creative people helps me get back in the race. These days it is hard to find upbeat people to play with can be difficult.

I just went to a PPA affiliate meeting this week and found the reality of the economy hitting my friends hard. That does not allow much time for creativity. But I love a horse race and want to run so I keep looking. That is why I am back at school. (Yes feeling like the old nag!) But once in, I can run with the best and that is what I need to charge my battery.

I hope for you, it is getting out there and shooting what you want. If not try some new books, school, group or just keep talking to us. We will have lots of ideas and just in time, this too shall pass.

I get like that after shooting way too much. I put down the camera and read a book. Then I get my wind back and start again

I am REALLY tightly wound though, so, there are times I mentally can't relax enough to shoot for fun.

I know it is bad when I am stressed enough I can't read. That is a VERY bad sign

Yep, been there. I'm actually procrastinating now when I should be getting ready for the trial this weekend.

I haven't even put the new lens on the camera to test it out yet

I had to help our Igloo stand up this morning when he woke up. At almost 17 years and with the weather we're having I suppose that is to be expected, but I still don't like it.

Add in the fact that I've done two sets of "memorial" photos this week and it gets mighty gloomy down here in my basement office.

Thanks for all the advice, empathy and support! You guys are great. What I decided to do was hide my zooms for a week and only shoot with primes just to get my focus (pun intended) back. So, late yesterday, I put the 85 F1.8 on, mounted camera to tripod, grabbed my extension rings and went out to grab some macro shots of Summer Flora.

As I was going out the back door, I noticed a guy walking around my next-door neighbor's house. They've been away in Illinois for the week and I've been feeding the cats and cleaning litter. Yes, I do it but don't ask, you can't afford me . I'd already seen the lawn guy and the pest-control guy so nobody should have been hanging around.

So, I went back in the house, put down the camera rig, hooked up Sundance and went for a walk around the houses. When we got into my neighbor's back yard, there was this guy picking leaves off of one of the trees there. When he saw Sundance, his eyes got the size of saucers. I just gave him the hairy eyeball and he stammered that he was with the State Agricultural Department and was checking citrus trees for possible canker. "Do you want to see my ID," he asked. "You'd better have a dog cookie if you reach into your pocket," I said very seriously. And then we both laughed.

I introduced myself, introduced Sundance who loved the guy and we talked for about a half-hour about his job and how the canker was spreading and what he'd found just in our neighborhood. Good guy and I really enjoyed just talking about something other than photography.

By the time we went back in the house, it was dinner time so I didn't go out again with the camera but today I'll try again. My only regret was that I didn't have the camera to capture the guy's expression when he saw Sundance. THAT was priceless .

Jim

Wish I had neighborhood watch like you two around here!

That's hilarious.