When I feel uninspired

On February 8, 2008 Polaroid announced that it will abandon instant photography. Like everyone else I panicked, stocked up on film and signed the petitions. I haven't taken many photos since then. It's April and I'm wrapped up in my winter coat, wool turtleneck, scarf and carry an umbrella with me every day while avoiding dog poop on the pavement and waiting for sx-70 weather. But I also know that for some reason, I don't feel it. I just don't feel like taking photos.

When I feel uninspired I get up early to think, I sit at the children's section of the local library. I set up my sons' favorite toys while they are at school so we can immediately play together. I read. I knit or buy something for someone I care about. And despite the frustration, I realize the value of each moment: enabling me to grow, to be honest, to think creatively about how best to use these moments of discouragement. To make my own rules without feeling guilty about it, and reconnect with my true self.

What do you do when you feel uninspired? How do you keep being creative despite the moments of doubt? How do you use these moments? And here are some favorite Polaroid photos and a book project that I'd like to share with you. Please feel free to leave links to yours.

1-2-3-4 ) by tae-tae

yellow blouse & seahorse by danske

waiting by athena

Monday by cute annie

and For the Love of Light: A tribute to the art of Polaroid, a collaborative book project featuring some of my Flickr favorites like Jenny Vorwaller, Fernanda Montoro and Anne Naumann.

Happy Friday.

Comments

[Amy]

I listen to music. lots of music. I do as much outside as possible. I also keep on doing what I do even when I think it stinks, because I'm bound to make something that clicks. And then I know I'm back. I guess I just work through it, as hard as that is to do. good luck to you--

[K. Selby]

When I'm uninspired to take pictures, I often times sit down and look at my past shots. There's usually one picture that will spark something in me. A reminder of something I wanted to do at that moment, but was too busy. I've found it's a great way to get those creative juices flowing once again.

[mary catherine]

When I'm uninspired--now I come here! So thanks for that!

Also, here are a few silly polaroids of mine, from a wedding gone wild:

http://marycatherinehamelin.squarespace.com/journal/its-friday-get-wild-yall.html

[maya]

i'm still at the point where i'm learning a lot about photography. i read books and blogs and websites A LOT. so sometimes i get a little burned out (like right now). i try to vary what i'm reading/learning - going back and forth between "easy" stuff and "hard" stuff. i feel like it helps me learn more easily when i go from doing something i find difficult back to trying to do something easy in a new way. then when i come back to the hard thing, somehow it's magically easier than i thought it was going to be.

eventually, the difficult stuff overwhelms me and then i get burned out. (lately i am also overwhelmed by how best to store my photos.) so i just don't pick up the camera. i don't even think about it. i might glance at a few blogs or flickr, but i don't make myself do it if i don't want to. this is partially to reassure myself that photography is really part of me and what i (eventually) want to do for a living. then a few days go by and i start to get the itch again. then i'll usually start by taking pictures of my daughter - she always inspires me.

[camerashymomma]

i hear ya. mostly i just sit in my own funk for awhile, just sitting with the uninspiration. letting it in, letting it out. soon it will pass with the weather of the week or the season or the mood. mostly, i carry my camera with me everywhere i go and fluctuate back and forth between fabrics and film. your photography inspires me.

[leigh]

Here's one of my many inspirations
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanspace/

[patricia]

when i feel uninspired i usually try to relax, immerse myself in something that i am passionate about. i don't necessarily have to do something as long as i'm there, just surrounding myself with things that make me feel alive - may it be photography, little kids, fashion or writing. but sure there are harder days to get by. when that happens, i just try to sleep through it and hope that when i wake up, i feel different already. :)

[Misty Dawn]

I usually go for a walk. I almost always find something to photograph, if I go for a walk. If the weather doesn't allow for a walk, then I just remain in my funk for awhile ;-)

[Kacey]

I sometimes hit dry spells with my writing, photography, or knitting. Usually if I switch to a different creative outlet...sometimes for just a brief period, it will get me over my funk. One way is to go into Photoshop and mess with old pictures I've taken. Browse through them. Crop. Adjust.

I also browse through magazines or look at some of the blogs on decorating. Just some different angle to creativity.

Or I wait for the sun to come out. That usually improves my creativity immensely!

[Stacy]

I also switch to a different creative outlet. I also design and make clothes (mostly just for my daughter), so start using that part of my brain when my photography part is all dried up. Then I take pictures of what I make. It's all one big creative circle. ;)

[Jen]

Omigosh...what? I totally need to get myself some cameras and film. What a loss for the polaroid community.

But I have to say I change what I focus on in my photographs. From my children to still life. It's been fun and given me a new look at what I take pictures of.

[Gloria]

When I feel uninspired I usually take my dog for a walk. Sometimes I end up with silly pictures like this:
http://gloriaruggero.blogspot.com/2008/04/thursday-photo-challenge-pets.html

but I also end up with some shots that I really like, like this:
http://gloriaruggero.blogspot.com/2008/03/wordless-wednesday_12.html

[Susie Monday]

When I'm discouraged about a larger work in progress (I'm a textile artist who loves photography, not a photographer) I turn to something less risky and smaller in scale-- embellishing jean jackets maybe, or making ACEOs to try out a new technique. I try to keep myself in the studio though!

[Rock and Roll Gardener/ Photographer]

Hi, I like your blog...Refreshing.
I have been photographing plants recently.
Here's my blog:
http://rockandrollgardener.blogspot.com/

[Emily]

I don't really know what I do when I'm uninspired. During winter, I've lacked time and weather to really take pics...it's been so dreary and drab (and I don't have a lot of fancy equipment so therefore rely a lot on natural light).

Usually something snaps me into inspiration - the arrival of spring and flowers blooming. My boys playing. Traveling. Getting out of the house obviously does a lot for my creativity...oh, and taking pictures of the most normal of things - because often, there's inspiration in the little things too.

[Anke]

I have uninspired times as well...but I try not to stress about it....I just let my creative mind rest and do my housework,play with the kids or surf the net. I know it won't take long to be inspired again and feeling like I have to create or take fotos. I usually do a Collage a week and that helps me big time building down stress and get my creative juices flowing again......taking a walk with my camera helps too.
Before I forget, kind of sad to hear they won't produce the Polaroid cameras/films anymore......hope they change their mind and all of you who love to shoot polaroids can continue doing so. Enjoyed looking at your fotos....they are for me really inpiring, thanks! Smiles, Anke ;)

[hoger in google]

Polaroid is (was) king