# 4353
Does anybody else get bored with their own photos once in a while, or is it just me? I find that when boredom sets in there is only one thing I can do: take a break. That’s it. Take a vacation away from photography. Do something you enjoy doing that doesn’t involve photography. I’ll pick out a good book, watch some favorite movies, play some music, anything to stimulate the mind. It works for me but everyone is different and their cure for boredom may be different, too. The trick is to find what works for you.
2clicksaway 
Absolutely. Any creative activity must be just that. If it becomes rote, the main ingredient will always be missing. And – it’s ok: happens even to the great masters.
Thanks, Alessandro, but I’d hardly call myself a great master. Maybe a good master.
Good idea. Find creativity from non-photographic sources. Or just go away for a long time, come back and pick up your camera again like it’s new.
Thanks, Mike. If you go away, take your camera.
So long as I haven’t lost the will. Thank you.
Yes, I find that boredom sets in. However, I also find that if I take a break from something that bores me, and which I don’t have to do for a job, or to keep the rain from getting in the house, then I often just don’t go back to it.
So far with the photography the daily blog has dragged me through a few bouts of boredom (I hope the posts have not shown it too starkly). Also, I change things up by trying out new aspects of photography with processing or other methods I don’t yet understand, and that sure helps. Makes me a better photographer too, I hope.
btw, I really like this yellow line – it is such a clean well maintained line. Interesting that it is the only board held in with screws, as if they paint the boards somewhere else and screw them in. Which doesn’t explain the yellow paint on the screw heads, but…
This was shot at the marina from this post. Some of the boards had recently been replaced and the new wood had this yellowish finish on it. I liked the contrast between the new and old wood but I couldn’t leave well enough alone. In Lightroom, I used the adjustment brush to add a little more yellow to the board and a little blue to the other boards because I like yellow and blue together. It was an enhancement meant to bring attention to the new board. Don’t tell anybody.
Ha! So it’s artificially clean and well maintained, and an explanation for why the screw heads are yellow too. I should have guessed. I like it though, and it does not look artificial. I like yellow stripes, but you may have noticed that.
The thought of a daily post sounds like self inflicted punishment to me as I have enough problems with the “twice weekly”. Maybe I just like saying “twice weekly”.
Everyone’s cure is different so what works for you is exactly what you should do. I have been shooting 3 years and initially, you have a steep learning curve. And it has been a passion for me so between those 2 things I have not gotten bored enough to put down the camera intentionally. But shooting waxes and wanes at times. I personally feel a “keep on shooting” motto works best for me. But that is ME. So, do what is best for YOU.
Anyway, hope to see you back soon and enjoy your break should you decide to take one.
Thanks, Maureen. Your work reflects someone who has been shooting a lot longer than 3 years. I was shocked to hear that. It isn’t often I am board with photography. When I’m out I’m usually bored without my camera.
Thanks a lot! I shot film but not often after college. It was too expensive! I think the camera helps one “see” more clearly but I also have to remind myself at times that I need to just breathe in what I am seeing. I hate being without mine, I feel it enhances my experiences. And I hate to think I might miss out on something photographically speaking.
Wow ! Powerful colors and strong dynamics ! I like it.
Thanks, Pierre.
Truth be told, it happens to me too. I tend to shoot anything and everything, and after a while I look at the photos and say “meh”! So, I leave it alone for a few days. I think creative minds also need time to reset.
When I am not shooting though, I browse through hundreds of photographs online, I find this helps refuel my creativity.
Thanks, Gracie. Fortunately, i have a few other interests that I can occupy myself with and not get into too much trouble.
I think this happens to everyone once in a while. I heard even Stephen King took 12 minutes off one day! Seriously, when it happens to me I have to take a break, and what brings me out of it can be unpredictable. So I have to just wait it out until that trigger triggers something – and then, just that quickly, I’m back in the mode I prefer.
I heard about that 12 minutes. The last one happened in 1974 I think.
I get bored with the ‘same old…’ stuff around here. That’s when it’s good to get away somewhere else for a day. But I do find it difficult to get bored during Springtime, providing the sun shines. Nice graphic shot, Ken
Thanks, Andy. I don’t think I have ever met a person that never got bored. It’s human nature, I guess.
Good to see the extraordinary in the everyday scenes around us. Nice shot.
Thanks, Jane, This was a fantastic day and place to shoot and I felt really lucky.
That’s an unequivocal yes! Of late, I’ve been just using my iPhone and finding that I’m enjoying it immensely. It’s rather freeing, actually.
I’ve always wanted a camera I can keep in my pocket all the time. Alas, the Incredible is a great phone but not an incredible camera.
I recognize the feeling, so it’s just not you. Creative people knows the feeling.
You should know, Malin. You have some exceptionally creative work on your site.
Thank you so much!!