The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I haven’t been doing much photography lately. Time has been scarce, but more than that, I’ve been missing the spark. After over 20 years behind the lens, I’ve never once really felt burnt out… until now. I suppose it’s a reminder to never say never. Here’s hoping the inspiration finds its way back.
This image is from an evening walk in the mountains last month. While it may seem peaceful, the reality was anything but - the small pond I stopped at is near a crowded picnic spot, packed with people, and the chaos threw me off. I managed a few frames before packing up and heading home, still feeling disconnected.
I’m curious, does this shot capture anything worthwhile, or is it just another uninspired frame?
Specific Feedback
I’m wondering, does this image have any merit or is it simply uninspiring?
Technical Details
Canon 5Div with the 90mm TS-E lens
5 frames stitched into a sort of mini panorama
1/200 sec at f/11, lens tilted for maximum DOF
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I felt that way a couple of months ago and asked for advice. What I got wasn’t very helpful. The advice was not to force the issue and if you don’t feel like shooting then don’t. It will come around on its own. Instead I booked a trip to Hawaii and it made a difference. It made a difference because it was new. I had burned out on shooting the desert.
I would recommend doing something similar. Not to go to Hawaii but purposely seek something new. Perhaps not a new location but a different approach to making pictures. Look at the works of different painters and pick one out whose approach you like.
The image you have made is of a beautiful location, at a perfect time, and technically really well done. The colors are rich and natural and the trees are sharp and well defined.
Tom, I think we all get burned out at times. Many times it has nothing to do with our photographic drive and more to do with the challenges of life. For me personally and here in the states it’s obvious to the entire world at this point.
With that aside I never surrender and try to make the best of keeping photography the main distraction and drive away from the funk.
One thing I have done for years that works for me is a lot of planning. I find that alone helps with positive field results. I use Google Earth Pro, TPE and Garmin GPS usage and programs. As a follow up to the research I leave the camera gear at home and do “prefielding” of areas. If the results produce positive sightings I GPS the location for TPE sunrise, sunset & possible moon positions overall.
This “prefielding” process yesterday netted me two new spots for a return visit next week for one and the following week for the other spot.
I did not want to make this sound like a lot of work. Although time consuming it keeps my brain focused on the photography adventures and not on the life challenges as much.
Your photo here is excellent, Tom. The only thing I might try is crop in from the left and remove the tall tree being topped off there and see if the balance of the scene is still working.
Thinking back, I realized my spark for photography started to fade when I realised that most of the places I wanted to shoot had already been photographed by others. It made me question if there was even a point in trying anymore. That, combined with feeling physically worn out and not having much time to dedicate to it, just left me a bit deflated.
I know a lot of people have started using long lenses lately because it makes it easier to create more unique work, but that’s not really my style. I’m drawn to landscapes - not necessarily the big, sweeping vistas, but those more moderate, slightly tighter scenes that feel a bit more intimate and to get that kind of shot and be happy, I really need to find fresh compositions in lesser-known locations.
I’m pretty sure those places exist not too far from me, but it’s going to take some time to seek them out. I’ve actually started a little document on my computer where I’m making notes about potential spots I’ve found using Google Maps and Google Earth - places to check out when I get the chance.
So, all hope isn’t lost. I just have to accept that this might be a slower year for creating, and that’s okay. I’ve also been keeping the creative energy alive with a bit of watercolour painting, mostly landscapes in the style I like to photograph. It’s been a nice way to stay connected to that part of myself, even if my camera isn’t as active right now.
Uninspired frame??? Are you kidding me? This is gorgeous Tom. Like both @Igor_Doncov and @Paul_Breitkreuz have said, we all get burned out from time to time and I think that’s a natural progression in photography. For many of us, our creative juices just don’t pack the same punch that they used to and for me, whenever I feel this way, I simply take time off and/or look for a different niche to focus on. When my landscapes feel “same as the last one,” I switch over to shooting birds or wildlife or abstracts. I tend to feel like everything has already been shot and most images I see these days don’t hold my interest very long unless they are exceptional and that has more to do the millions of images we are bombarded with everyday making what we produce feel insignificant sometimes.
More often than not, I shoot just for me. I don’t post on Instagram or Facebook or anywhere else except here on NPN and that has helped me get over the thought of what everyone thinks of my images. I care but at the end of the day, I really don’t care that much. Most of the time I like to just hike around and if something comes my way that’s just a bonus. If not, I’ve enjoyed my time outdoors and that’s enough for me these days.
Give it time and those creative juices will start to flow again.
For now and for this image, I can tell you’re down on yourself because most people would be thrilled to have an image like this. I think @Igor_Doncov said it best, The image you have made is of a beautiful location, at a perfect time, and technically really well done. The colors are rich and natural and the trees are [sharp] and well defined.
Enough said. And, to your own point, your camera doesn’t have to be active right now if it’s not right for you. You’ll know when the time is right. I’ve been there many times. I feel for you.
@Tom_Nevesely, both @Igor_Doncov@David_Haynes are spot on with their comments in regards to all who have been involved on line with photography for years now. David’s point is exactly my approach, including not into the globs of social media sites.
I find the scouting, planning and field outings are all mental health outlets for me more than a WIN of a Pulitzer Prize image. Don’t get me wrong, I hate to LOSE. But I try to keep it to a minimum and in perspective too.
I think your thoughts on variations from the grand vistas is an excellent approach for a change of pace…best of luck, Tom.
Hi Tom,
Definitely worthwhile IMHO! I have no suggestions for improvement as everything looks great. I do like the peaceful vibe of this even though you mentioned a nearby crowded noisy picnic area. I hear you and sympathize with the burned out mood as it has happened to me as well. In my case I found it helpful to try another location or switch focal lengths. For me it was putting the wide angle away and using my telephoto more trying to isolate interesting sections of the overall landscape. I feel that gives you more opportunities; at least it did for me; for capturing images. I have spent more time lately in a state park that is only 1/2 hour away and I have been quite happy with several images.@Paul_Breitkreuz also has a valid point about never surrendering to the challenges going on in the states right now. Anyway, best of luck and I hope the funk does not last too long.
I am getting late to this image, but I fully understand what you mean by feeling without the “spark”. For me, sometimes it takes the form of lack of emotional involvement, a sort of cold view simply observing what I am seeing. But this picture of yours is really splendid - and I understand the annoyance of knowing that you offered an apparently peaceful landscape which instead was crowded with people - on the one side, this is deceiving, on the other side… it is a way to show how it would really be when people go away. So, a fragment of reality, a landscape that exists, but at the same time it does not tell the full story. Complicated topic, difficult choice of what we show and what we want to communicate, but in any case the image is beautiful.
Thank you @David_Haynes , @Paul_Breitkreuz , @Ed_Lowe , and @Antonello_Provenzale for taking the time to comment. At first I wasn’t excited about this image but the longer I look at it, the more I like it. It’s a calm image and looking at it calms my mind. I hope that others get this feeling when see this too.
I’m confident that my spark will come back and that it’s only a matter of time. I just need to realize that and not stress about it.
Hi again Tom,
I came across this article from Fstoppers a while ago and saved it because it resonated with me. The different stages that photographers go through. It’s a good 10-15 minute read and is full of good information.
Here is another one from Petapixel that really says it all:
I would also consider reading a few different photography books. There are tons out there but I love Guy Tal and his writing style. He has multiple books that you can purchase but I would start with, More Than a Rock. He gets pretty deep in thought but by and large he writes essays, talks about creativity, photography, nature and life and the psychology behind all of it.
Lastly, I remember back when I was consumed by grand landscapes. I would purposefully map out the locations of where I’d seen great images from others and think, if I could just get a shot like that I’d be happy. What I discovered over the years was that I almost never got the conditions I was hoping for, the perfect clouds in order to make a mind blowing sunrise or sunset, or the right light, etc. etc. It took me years to figure out that I was chasing the unchaseable, never being happy with the results because they weren’t as epic as the image I had preconceived in my mind. I was always unfulfilled.
I also figured out that most easy to access Grand Landscapes were pretty much shot to death by pretty much everyone making it really hard to get a unique and fulfilling image. The more fulfilling Grand Landscapes were those that were not seen by the masses and had to be scouted out sometimes miles and miles from a paved road where very few if any people have ever gone before. I didn’t have time for that but if you do I’d suggest doing some backpacking if you aren’t already.
It dawned on my a few years ago that the only real way I thought I could take unique images, that had deep meaning and left me feeling good, were tighter, more intimate images. My 100-400mm lens is my absolute go to lens for almost all of my landscapes now and when I’m not using that lens I will shoot with my more traditional 24-70mm lens and look for very small intimate images rather than the grand landscape. I’m not suggesting you need to ditch the grand landscapes at all but maybe opening your mind to other possibilities might get your creative juices flowing again. It’s worked for me over the years as I frequently go through periods where I have a near complete lack of interest in photography.
Hey @David_Haynes — thanks so much for sharing those articles! I really enjoyed them - both were really interesting and definitely worth the read. I’ve always loved Guy Tal’s writing; I read More Than a Rock a few years ago, but you actually reminded me that I have The Interior Landscape sitting on my shelf… totally unread! Guess I know what I’ll be picking up next.
I like to think I’ve always photographed for myself first - shooting what I’m drawn to rather than shooting for social media or trends. And even after all these years, classic landscape photography is still what lights me up the most. I’m not usually chasing super wide or super telephoto extremes, or going for drama just for drama’s sake. Of course, if I spot a cool abstract or some wildlife, I’ll grab it with my long lens, but the real heart of it for me is in those timeless landscapes. I enjoy looking at more abstract or intimate images, but they don’t quite feed my soul the same way.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I want to keep focusing on classic landscapes, but in a way that feels fresh and still true to me. I’m aiming to find new spots and original compositions, even if it takes a lot of time and wandering. I know it won’t be easy, but I think that’s part of what makes it feel meaningful.
I actually spent some time yesterday and today doing a bit of virtual scouting, and I’ve already noted a few spots I want to check out - maybe even as soon as this weekend, if all goes well!
Someone once wrote “To make interesting pictures become an interesting person”. I really liked that quote because it emphasizes curiosity. I think the key to longevity in photography is curiosity. I like to read and understand the approach the great landscape photographers had in making images. I would suggest the following:
Paul Strand - for mastering composition.
Edward Weston - for understanding forms and conveying their meaningfulness
Ansel Adams - for the elegance of tonal balance and beauty
Minor White - for mystical imagery that are beyond what is shown.
Elio Porter - for controlled chaos.
Michael McKenna - for the peace and balance of minimalism
Bruce Percy - for minimalism conceived from basic geometric components
There must be more but these come up off the top of my head. I would study and contrast their different approaches and eventually you will come across scenes that will apply to their approaches. In my opinion the best way to burn out is to decide to do the same thing over and over again. For me each subject is different and I try to shoot it for what it’s saying. Here, for example, is an image which I’m working on which I would never have taken without previously being exposed to the work of Minor White. That is, I think that’s where my vision came from. I believe the photocelibacy leads to burnout. It’s good to look at what others have done and be inspired by it.
Thanks for those suggestions, @Igor_Doncov ! I’ve just reserved some books from some of these great photographers from my local library and I can’t wait to thumb through and study them.
You would never know that you weren’t moved to make this image as it’s a strong one, and does convey a sense of peace and tranquility. Beautiful, soft colors and light. I love the top of the tree at far right as it resembles a little wizards hat.
I empathize with your lack of a creative spark. A few years ago, after closing our gallery, I had zero interest in picking up a camera. After a year or so of the camera sitting in the closet collecting dust, I sold it and all my gear. I didn’t have any intention of returning to photography but then, a few years later, I got a little spark. I slowly dove back in and began to enjoy the process again. Interestingly, I also found that I “saw” the natural world differently and my compositions reflected it. We all need a break from time to time!
@Bret_Edge thanks for comments. Yes, the image isn’t a show stopper but I’m liking it more and more as time goes by. I’ve been feeling the spark slowly reignite this week and I’m planning on going shooting this Sunday morning after which I plan on scouting a few other areas.
I didn’t know that you almost gave up on photography! I remember you used to be fairly active on the old NPN back in the day but then I kind of lost track of you. I guess that must have been around the time you weren’t shooting much. I was really happy when I saw you active again here.
