…or Finding Balance.
I have been in a creative slump for the past couple of weeks with my photography and writing.
Pushing myself to get unstuck by taking a couple of shots of flowers and bugs in the front yard was not working. I made excuses that I had taken every flower shot that could be taken. I then tried looking at other photographer’s and artists to spark an inspiration. That led me into a further funk by inspiring me to think that “everyone else is better than me.”
I turned to writing and hammered out a stream of consciousness to unclog the brain and while the words flowed–pen and paper did not inspire me. Sure it unclogged the drain, but there was nothing new or enlightening.
I began to doubt myself and wonder if I had what it takes. I questioned whether photography, writing, or anything else creative is really a passion of mine. I wondered if it all was really worth my time. Maybe I was chasing a dream that was not really me.
One of the challenges with my creative mind is that it is always working, always thinking. Sometimes, I look at things and try to figure out what the lighting was and how to recreate it, or how to change it. I see the imperfections. I look for the imperfections thinking that these observations prove my worth as a photographer.
Twitter, blogs, and Facebook did not help because they were constant streams of ideas–non-stop, everyday like trains in a metro station. While they are a great source for networking and sharing ideas, they were giving me the sensation that being creative is a constant endeavor. I felt I was being left behind. The fun was gone.
As I was brain dumping on paper, I realized that I just needed a break. I needed to put down the camera, pen, brush, whatever, and put it all aside–forget about being creative. I needed to take a vacation from myself and not feel guilty or left behind. So I did.
How did I finally recover? I let go of the light, exposure, and anything-everything technical and observed the world through the eyes of a child.
–gtc
Copyright © 2012 Gary Cooper Photography. All Rights Reserved.
Via Flickr:
Denver International Airport
iPhone 4S — Tuned with Aperture.
GT Cooper Photography
