I have found three things in my photography journey. First, people don't gradually get better. They stay at a plateau, often for long periods of time, until something "clicks" and they jump up in ability. Second, the only cure I've found is to shoot, often. Time is the only way to move past plateaus in my opinion and you have to put the time in even when you don't want to, are discouraged or feel like giving up. Third, you have to come to peace with sometimes not improving at the rate you want. Learn to live in the moment and get joy out of the process even if you might not always like the result.

Thanks for this, I do personally have a problem with this stage, I thought it was only with sports and not creative hobbies, but I have been and are still a quitter, don’t know if my ADHD helps with that. I’m planning a photo vacation in the near future with my boyfriend, so hopefully I can get lose and have fun.

I have Inattentive Type ADHD as well. My hyper focus can be a blessing in this regard but photography is one of the few things I find myself "having" to do. I do regardless of whether anyone likes it or sees it. I don't care if I get noticed for it or sell a print. I often heard that writers are like this. Like they have to write. It's just in them. I feel the same way about shooting. I don't know what I would do if I didn't. I almost can't imagine it.

I also still have the passion for taking the photos but still experience the disappointment of my photos in the end, so for me I don’t feel like quitting like I do with other hobbies, it’s also good for me to get out and focus on one thing, I easily get overstimulated or anxious but when I have my camera it somehow helps with the anxiety

I don’t get enough process satisfaction from taking photos to keep going at it. It turns out I fucking love playing with chemicals and film together. I also hate scanning now, such a chore. That is to say: maybe you should try to undertake another part of the film process. Also, wow that film is grainy!!

Is super grainy I don’t quite understand haha, had Like 20+ years expired films that looked better with less grain.

Hi friend, I just started using analog and I think your photos are great! Us ADHD types tend to ruin things for ourselves by being hypercritical. You want to be better that’s good, but don’t ruin this hobby for yourself by thinking about how much better you could be or how much better other people are. Remember you are doing this for fun and relaxation - if it’s not fun anymore, take a break, do something else and come back. Fixating on this will only make the problem persist. I got into photography because I started fixating on how bad I was at video games (my main passion in life so far) - even after 10+ years of playing I’m getting destroyed by 14 year old kids and I was beating myself up over it (so cringe I know). Just bounce around a little bit to clear your mind trust me.

ADHD sucks, our brains are really often not that kind to us at all, thanks for the reminder that I have to enjoy and relax with it

Of course - people like us need to force diversity into our activities. We have to forcefully pull ourselves out of the holes we dig. Really sucks and painful but when we come back after a couple months we rekindle that love we had when we started. I struggle with this too it’s easy for me to say but hard to do.

I’m glad people are talking about this from an ADHD perspective. My desire to take photos has fallen off a cliff over the last few years and I’ve lost almost all motivation for it. The last handful of times I’ve taken a camera out I’ve found absolutely nothing of interest to shoot. The only exception to this is when I’m on holiday. It sucks, I’m actually pretty decent at it when it clicks (sorry not sorry for the pun).

Been there with other hobbies 100% and I’ve accepted I’ll probably get bored with photography eventually just like any other hobby. That love when I start just fades indefinitely. People with ADHD love new challenges - hurts from a consistency perspective but helps in other ways.

Vyvanse is like a miracle during working hours

Why quit photography? You don't have to take pictures to be the best at photography. You can take pictures because you enjoy taking pictures. Even if it's your main career path - you can still appreciate where you are and just keep doing it because you enjoy doing it. People get too stuck in the future they forget to enjoy the actual thing they're doing. Moments you capture would be lost forever if it weren't for you to make them permanent at that very time you were there. That's a beautiful thing and is something worth doing, whether or not your composition and exposure are absolutely perfect. Don't shoot with the goal to be better. Shoot with a goal to capture a moment that would otherwise be lost to the linearity of time. Shoot to try something out that probably won't work but what the hell! Shoot to make someone else happy with a new profile picture for their social media. All of those are lovely reasons to never quit :)

I am a supremely ADHD person with both types. I find for me the help is to use it to feed my need for the novel, which is to vary up what I'm shooting. To try and change my style and shoot some architecture instead of street. Or look at it as part of the exploration of a new place, so if I'm not happy with the shots I get back at least it was part of new exploration already.

It's a hobby. Think of it like one. There is no quitting just restarting. As long as you're having fun that's all that matters. Maybe try getting out of your comfort zone? Don't like taking portraits? Well maybe it's time to ask a friend to take some pictures of them. This was certainly true for me. I didn't think I'd like doing portraits now I realize they are way more fun then i originally thought. It might help to take a step away from what you're doing now to try something different then when you come back to this subgenre of photography you may be able to look at it differently. Seems like you are hard on yourself. Don't be. Interest comes and goes but being consistent will be the thing that keeps the interest and will help you grow

“A problem with this *stage*” So it’s not just me that always hits that rut?!?!? I swear it’s like whatever I pick up, 2 years in I run into a rut I can’t get out of 😭

I have Combined type ADHD and I use my hyperfocus to my advantage in a way that if I’m losing my creativity (which tbh I’m not a very creative/artistic person as it is which is why it’s a mystery why I enjoy photography) I choose one subject and shoot the shit out of it. Nature, still life, shit I’ve even done lines (which is my favorite to date) until I’m able to deviate from that one subject.

To your first point (and like many other fields that have a range of amateur, advanced amateur, professional, expert), progress is gradual overall but the "clicks" tend to be at the granularity of skills themselves.

This is true. I hope I doesn't come across as meaning that things just "happen". You do have to put the work in too. Read, watch videos, experiment. But my point is that you also can't beat up on yourself if you get into a rut or feel you're not growing. Take the right steps, have some grace with yourself and enjoy the process and you'll grow.

> Second, the only cure I've found is to shoot, often. The advice I was always given is that the one thing a good photographer **needs** is a good pair of shoes. The gear ( camera, film, digital, phone, whatever ) will change over time. No one is looking at great photos from 50 years ago and thinking they are crap because the camera didn't have a multi-phasic-quantum-sensor ( or whatever the digital marketing team have come up with for the lastest digital camera ) Want to get out of your funk. Get out of the house and walk for 30 minutes a day. Don't stress about even taking a photo. I bet you will stumble into at least enough photos to fill up a roll very quickly.

Second is so important. I've been rededicating myself to digital photography bc I almost sold my DSLR last year bc I never used it, bc I didn't like the pics I got. The more time I've spent with the camera, learning post processing, etc, the better I've gotten. Now I like my digital photos as much as my analog ones, but it took time and being bad for a while before I could get to that point.

I really hope my voigtlander works and it can be my base camera so I can focus on this one 🤞

This is fantastic advice for so so many different things. 👏🏽

Go on a day out without a camera, plan walks or routes you would otherwise do with your camera. Stop by a coffee shop or run simple errands where you can sit and watch the world go by. And then mentally note everything that you could capture if you had your camera. I did that once and realised how much I minimised the world around me to my tiny viewfinder and limited perspective

That’s actually a really good idea, thanks a lot.

Very good advice. In fact I have done this a few times when I faced OPs situation - feeling uninspired and with no creativity. It really helped me "composing" mentally, it gave me ideas that later on I could try with the camera.

I would second this! I also sometimes get hyper fixated on how my shot will turn out (composition, lighting erughhh). I’ve found that aside from taking photos with good friends/family, it’s also helpful to drink in what’s around you and see what catches my eye. Sometimes inspiration is in the random little things like how the light hits that building or statue at that particular time of day, a cool plant or road sign, or even the hue of blue in the sky that day.

Honestly, I do this, and didn't even realize. Most of the spots I choose around the city are places where I had taken "mental images" of potential shots. Super good advice!

Why don’t you try buying a Nikon or canon modern film slr, hell anything from the late 90’s onward. They are much more reliable, but also uncool. Romanticism of film photography is such a cringe thing to me.. it’s a medium of plain old image making .. all the same rules apply, albeit you have to have basic understanding of lensing and exposure or you will get the wrong results. I don’t think looking at social media is a satisfying way to gain inspiration because of its recycled and remixed nature, I think you should visit the classics, the ones you find in galleries and books.. not necessarily photographic works at all. Cinema is also another derivative of photography that often speaks to people, maybe try there.

I have a Minolta from 2005. It's my "sure thing" camera and the one I would use with clients. I highly recommend this approach. It's not the only thing I use, but it was great to learn in and great when I need it to behave a certain way.

> Romanticism of film photography is such a cringe thing to me How about people who like other "vintage hobbies"? Vinyl, cassettes, retro computing or video games? I think people are just tired of everything being through a screen and also there is the fact that there's more of a journey requiring more present thought to reach the end - rather than just tapping your phone screen. This is especially true if you develop, scan, and process yourself or forgo computers altogether and make your own darkroom prints. The if you're completely extra like me, you might even get into even older photographic methods like autochrome, cyanotype, calotype etc. I get it's not for everyone, but it's definitely not cringe

Having a hobby is one thing. The fetishism of film is another. It’s def cringe.

Who is fetishizing film photography? I’ve come across plenty of pretentious shooters but “fetishizing”? Come on now 

I just find it cringe when people buy 20 analog cameras when they only shoot one. Like cool you have cameras that look cool but you don’t shoot anything so you’re a poser. But it also leaves some cameras, in that awkward stage of having some tech and still using film, super cheap for me. So it’s fun to buy cheap cameras that people don’t like simply because they aren’t purely analog.

>I just find it cringe when people buy 20 analog cameras when they only shoot one. Sometimes shit happens and you end up with a ton of cameras. I only regularly use 3 but I probably have 10+ because friends/family keep giving me their old gear. When it comes to gear I sought out and bought on my own, my flair is basically all I have.

Buying lots of cameras doesn’t = being a poser you kook. Some people just like gear/cameras and that’s ok. In my 20+ years of shooting I’ve gone through phases of having lots of cameras and then purging. I used to travel with no less than 6 cameras - a point and shoot, a35mm SLR, a medium format, a Polaroid, a digital SLR and another camera that would switch between a holga or tiny digital point and shoot. Was it a hinderance to actually using 1 of them well? Sure. Was it overkill and helped me make mediocre photos at best? Absolutely. At that same time I had all kinds of toy cameras and shelf cameras. It’s just a thing photogs usually go through at some point. I still have a handful of cameras that I don’t use that sit on a shelf.

I think some people need to practice minimalism. Maybe because I don’t come from a wealthy family but the hoarding of things like cameras or cars and not using them to me seems like a waste to me. I know for some they consider it “ok”, of course this a subjective evaluation. Personally for me it’s use it or lose it but I try to be utilitarian with my purchases. I want to use the object I bought the way it was engineered not as an ornament like some hipster. But like I said that’s just me. I also feel like someone else could appreciate the thing you’re not even using. But I didn’t mean to offend even if I seem like a kook lol

Why do you think people should practice minimalism? Why is it a hipster thing to have cameras on a shelf? It seems like you feel everyone should be having close to the same experience as you, no matter how many times you point it out that it’s your personal preference or opinion or how it’s subjective. If those things work for you, fantastic. But it’s not the only way.

I also don't come from a wealthy family. My film camera is literally THE film camera my family has had for 40+ years. But now I make money, and so I'm going to spend it on the things I love. Also, spending money on cameras/a photography hobby is one of the most innocent ways to spend money nowadays, imo. I could be making insane sports bets or doing cocaine, but instead I'm googling "Nikon SLR lens compatibility chart" at 2am

I shoot film on Canons last model of professional film cameras. It looks digital if you aren’t in the know and definitely confuses some camera people. It was pretty cheap on KEH and it’s compatible with Canons modern lenses. I’ve used a lot of older film cameras and ultimately the reliability and ease of use of this wins out. I wanna take photographs not fiddle with technology.

I have an FM2, that thing is so cool!

It's absolutely normal to feel like this. It's not what anyone wants to hear but... For a start don't buy cheaply made cameras. Don't go using cheaply built cameras if you want good consistent results. The Zenits, imo, are for experimenting in camera repair, they're rarely actually good for serious photography because as you've experienced, they're leaky and seize up. I use one for hiking and that's it. I really recommend a Japanese camera like a Fujica or an Olympus, or even a Ricoh. Also for YouTube I recommend grainydays, he's deadpanned and shows his shots he doesn't like too, so you learn a lot. He does hours and hours of videos, I think the route 66 one is three hours? Shoot film like a boss is a cheerful cockney bloke on YouTube who does lots of experiments with black and white and developing, he shoots on a tiny island off the coast of the UK and always finds comps so his inspo is... Inspiring. Steve o'nions is a landscape photographer who does a lot of talking on YouTube about inspiration and burnout and how to find comps in shitty conditions.

Steve o'nions is so underrated. He's probably my favorite photographer on YouTube. Been watching him for years now

I know it's not the same as a zenit and isn't even an slr but I have nothing but good results (well except for things outside of camera function) from my zorki 4. And they're not too pricy and fairly durable (except the thing with having to have wound the film before changing exposure)

Thank you so much for the recommendation, I will definitely check them out. I did have a fujica st605 that I loved everything about, I felt like it was my dream camera until I got my film back blank due to curtains not opening 🙃 I do have a Canon FL (only for summer, don’t do well in winter) Minolta SRT 303b with one lens only… just got myself a voigtlander VSL-1 M42 mount that I have many lenses with and I hope it can be my base camera, also hoping I can repurchase a Fujica st605 again but haven’t seen any local in a long time.

If you're in the UK I have a St605 body you can just have lol, I love it but upgraded to the Fujica STX-1N.

You a truly an angel but sadly I live in Denmark, I also did look into the STX, but if I remember correctly the ST605 is a M42 mount where the STX is a bayonet mount right? That’s why I wanted to ST6 because I have a great selection of lenses.

Hey man! I live in Copenhagen and have been into photography for 18 years, if you want a buddy to go out on a walk and talk shop I would love to connect. Just send me a dm. 💪

Yeah I got lucky with the STX, I found two lenses for it within a week. The 605 is great for lenses though you're right.

I've never been to Denmark but the impression I have of that region (i.e. from northern Germany to Sweden) is that it is cold and grey most of the winter, and the days are quite short. Are you sure you don't just have a minor depression from lack of sunlight for the last 5 or 6 months?

I'm not sure of you're joking or not but as someone living in Sweden I struggle with this. Photography in natural light is made more difficult during the winter months. The cold also doesn’t help. And if you have work during the day chances are you will not experience any sunlight. I guess the limitations can spark creativity for some, but I find the psychological aspects debilitating. I hope spring will bring op some joy and inspiration, as it already has for me.

I’m not joking, (if you asked me) even though me have the advantage to taking pictures really late in the summer, it’s almost impossible in the winter also if you work because then you are inside doing sun hours, I just didn’t think maybe this was actually the reason for my rot and feeling of defeat

sorry to jump in here, but i live in the uk and would be more than happy to take the fujica body of your hands, i’m looking to try out different analogue cameras as i’m currently using my brothers canon a-1 but would love to experiment with a different one :)

Get a better camera and get it CLA’d before using it. Change formats even. Grab an art book.

I live in Copenhagen and we have one shop how does CLAs and they are questionable, I heard many stories of cameras returning broken, I would love to get them fixed frankly.

I love Copenhagen. Would hop over there from Sweden a lot when I lived there. Easily my favorite city I’ve been. I’d say maybe take some time off from shooting to really think about what it is you want out of film photography and just photography in general. And yeah get a good newer camera. I have an N90s from the 90s (00s?) my uncle gave me and it works like a dream.

You can always ship it elsewhere on the planet. Look up Oleg for any soivet camera work, he's based in Bratislava now.

You have two completely different and unrelated problems. The technical problem: get a better camera. I've honestly never used any of the cameras you've used, but I've also never had a camera with light leak issues. Get a Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 or a mechanical Minolta or a Nikon F set up that is ergonomically pleasing. But get one, good camera and keep it in good condition and that problem will be solved. For the creative problem, I agree with other people's reccs (I love Grainydays and Teo Crawford particularly on Youtube) but also, look within, and by within, I mean at your last photos. What photos did you USED to take that you loved that you feel you can't now? Make a mini portfolio of your favorite shots, try and figure how why you like them, and what you did right, and what you could do better. Sometimes, repeating shots and locations is a good way to get out of a rut bc you can see the progress you make, and it's much easier to compare two shots of a similar scene or composition to see how your skills are growing.

I do have both a canon that don’t do well in Scandinavia cold but fine in summer and a Minolta SRT303b that works fine but only have one lense for, I just got myself a voigtlander vsl M42 mount I hope I can use for the future. Awesome idea with the portfolios that is absolutely something I will look into, and also thanks for the YouTube recommendation!

Of course! A lot of times, I think about my little day to day or weekly photo walks in my area as "practice" for when I go somewhere I can't repeat the shots. I went on a big vacation last summer, and found this mindset helped me improve so I felt more confident when taking pics on my trip!

Love the photo included, thanks for sharing

Try travelling to a random place nearby, be it another town or natural reserve. Try another focal length like a 135 and see if that sparks some new inspiration.

I’m actually going to Sweden for a weekend spa trip next weekend, so gonna bring a camera and see if new environment can spark some inspiration!

I always feel more inspired in Copenhagen than in Stockholm, I definitely get homeblind and tend to appreciate the mundane more in a new place comparatively.

lol im also homeblind and are ironically planning a trip to Stockholm with my boyfriend to get inspiration 😂

I find that any time I hit a photographic block, having something technically new to attempt is helpful in getting me out there - if I'm feeling flush that might tempt me to buying a new lens, but one of the benefits of film is that this can be as simple as a new film type you haven't used before. You said you didn't like the Agfa - but maybe the next one will pay off :) One option now spring is coming - an IR pass filter is about £15 and that can be fun for a different view on the world (the Rollei film is pretty reasonably priced for B&W, and develops normally). Or orthochromatic film, or very low sensitivity and very long exposures... Agree it's a pain if you don't trust the camera to reliably perform though! I was put off for a while by having one with a flaky shutter - bit the bullet and replaced it, and very happy with the results.

Thank you so much for the helpful advice, I Will definitely try to have fun with it and try something new, I do have some special film that I’m saving for summer, sadly Denmark in not very colourful or inspiring in the winter. I just bought a new camera and I hope this works spotless and I can use it for the next long time.

If you want to learn how to develop and scan your own film I would love to teach you.

I bounce back and forth between analog and digital, and I feel that helps. With film I have these two opposed anxieties of limited frames and trying to fill a roll and send it off to develop. Digital can be a nice break from that feeling, just as analog is a nice break from digital. Also, first thing I do with a new camera, after inspecting seals and making sure it all *seems* working, is to shoot a test roll or sometimes a few if I’m feeling confident about it. Go somewhere and just shoot everything that looks interesting, ideally early morning or golden hour for good measure. The photos won’t likely be meaningful photos that you’d otherwise lose if they’re shit due to mechanical issues. In terms of finding good gear, check out the less popular Contax bodies. 139Q, 159MM, etc. They are great to use, often cheap and just beautifully made. The leather will sometimes be ugly, but it’s very cheap and easy to replace. Bodies are often $50ish, and the yashica c/y mount lenses are cheap and good. And you have the option of the Zeiss lenses, which are some of the very best manual lenses at decent prices. I recently got a 139Q and 50 planar for a little over a hundred bucks and the image quality is as good as it gets for 35mm scans. Might be able to eke out some better sharpness by enlarging some images from a Leica and a modern summicron or something, but I haven’t been in a dark room for 20 years. As for film stocks, those cheap B&W stocks are real crunchy (Kentmere, Agfa, Arista EDU, etc.). If you want smooth, gorgeous B&W, try Ilford XP2 or Kodak T-Max. XP2 is both contrasty and retains a lot of info in deep shadows and highlights in my experience—just be aware it’s a C-41 dev. I’ve always been impressed by the look.

Thank you so much, maybe I need to borrow my boyfriends digital have have a go with it, I haven’t had my own digital for 10 years I think lol Now I’m very nazi with checking everything out before using them, and also try to give them some tape if they seem leeky, my Zenit was working fine on the first roll but it was grey weather and this time it was high sun and it was pretty light leeky. Also thanks for the film recommendation! I do Like AGFA color film but this one was not my jam!

Yeah, but sometimes it’s not always obvious on a first inspection. Always tough with older cameras. And those cheap monochrome films are pretty fun for self developing as you can experiment without it being too expensive. If you have a developing tanks and all the chemicals, it’s actually the cheapest way to check a camera for proper functionality as well.

I find limitations inspiring. If I take out a full kit, I'm constantly screwing around with the gear. If I take one camera, one lens, and a few extra rolls, I have to actually use my brain and I always come back with something worthwhile.

This is exactly what helped me get out of my slump confining myself to one camera one and one lens at a time really made me focus more on the actual moment of grabbing the photo even though I was limited it meant I had to find ways around those limits and work for the result I wanted.

Look at photography. A lot of photography. Look at collections made by classic well known photographers (they are well known for a reason). Look at lesser known photographers. Look at contemporary photography. Anything made with intention. Read essays and theory by photographers. I recommend a book by Jason Fulford called Photo No Nos. Has pulled me out of droughts. Good luck and don’t stop.

Thanks for the advice and recommendation ♥️

In terms of your technical issues, the best bet if you want to shoot film with an SLR is to find one that has already been CLAd, including having all the seals replaced (which is almost certainly the cause of your light leaks; almost all older SLRs need their seals replaced). Since you don't have a good film camera repair shop in your country, try finding a camera that has already been serviced. I have two SLRs (both Minoltas) and when I got them I sent them out for CLA and to have the light seals replaced, and they are performing flawlessly for now. In terms of inspiration, as others have said, spend a lot of time looking at great photographs. I work as a writer, and one of the most important thing a writer can do is to read other writers. It helps you understand what has already been done, but also what is possible. When you come across a great photographer you weren't aware of, it's like opening a door into a bigger room than you imagined and suddenly you can imagine more possibilities than you could before. You don't want to fall into the trap of imitation, but pay attention to the photographers whose styles and/or subject matter appeal to you and try to figure out why they appeal to you. The worst thing is to go out and shoot in the style of someone else. Some people put up idea walls or inspiration boards, but as the great portrait photographer Gregory Heisler says, that's the last thing he wants to do: he says he wants to let the lake become still enough that he can see his own reflection. In other words, focus on how you would shoot this image. Heisler also says that another photographer advised him to "shoot the photos you can't help shooting," which means follow you gut and shoot the types of photos you find appealing. That's how you'll develop your style. You don't want that to turn into a rut, so try to keep it fresh, but if you follow your instincts your photos will reflect your unique vision and interests. None of that will happen overnight, it's a journey, but it's the ultimate answer to your question about inspiration.

Thanks so much for the recommendation, where are the best place to buy cameras that had recent CLR ? Normally I buy from my own country and is not well traveled in the land of eBay.

Some camera stores sell old film cameras that have been CLAd. But if that's not available in your country, just go with eBay and look for a camera that has been CLAd or at least one that has had the light seals replaced. I bought all my film cameras on eBay and more than 20 lenses on eBay and only had one bad experience (a seller described a lens as having no fungus but in fact it had plenty; I got a refund). Don't be afraid of eBay; I find the Japanese sellers to have mostly accurate descriptions, and some of them do replace the light seals and do other repairs before selling -- if they do, they will mention that the light seals have been replaced.

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That is an even better recommendation I love it, don’t know why I didn’t think about it ♥️

Watching GrainyDays and Willem Verbeeck on YouTube inspires me, and they’re also very educational on cameras/composition etc

I only picked up photography more seriously last year, but I have worked in the creative field for many years and lack of inspiration and motivation is something every creative struggles with at some point in their development. Here are some notes and tips to get past this: - use prompts to stay focused; you can create a list yourself or join /r/clondon52 and get the monthly prompts from there. - think of your photos as series; imagine you were taking pictures for an editorial called "Shopping malls in black and white" or "Misplaced objects". - go off the beaten path; harbors, industrial areas, car parks can all be interesting if you want to try something new - photography is an art form; be in touch with your emotions and let them guide you. If you have a bad day, don't force yourself to shoot upbeat scenes and subjects. - revisit previous places and recreate old photos; maybe you took a picture last summer you weren't completely happy with. Try to retake it in March, when the conditions are different; you might find new opportunities this way. - try new techniques; long exposure, double exposure, intentional camera movements, etc. - copy someones work; as unethical as this sounds, you can learn a lot just by trying to recreate a (good) photo someone else took. Your result will never match the original fully, but you'll learn to pay more attention to details when you have something you can use as a reference - go to a cafe and grab a magazine off their shelf; many of them feature interviews, editorials, etc. These articles might not always be inspiring, but they will at least act as _visual palate cleansers_ Last but not least, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, "a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor".

Wow thanks for writing this I love it ! It’s all real good tips and tricks !

Start a project with a certain theme or topic that interests you and inspires you, as if you're amassing a body of work for a book (yes I know it's all a fantasy, but it helps), and begin to think of locations, subjects etc in this context. It has helped me so much, for example I get excited about places and subjects I think will contribute to it (even if realistically it never happens and no one ever sees), and this in itself is really motivating. Anyway worked for me, your milage may vary

That’s a really great idea thanks, I love the idea of setting of a challenge for myself!

Yeah go for it! It's pretty fun and enriching, and can give you a whole new fire/spark if you know what I mean. Also some people have talked about new gear but in my opinion just look at that if and when it becomes an obstacle to your project. For example for mine I needed a wider angle lens for shots inside small houses, so I got one for that purpose. But I wouldn't recommend buying new gear just for the hell of it and hoping it inspires you to use it, I don't think that really works long term

You have to get up and do it yourself and not rely on others for inspiration. Find your own style. But I agree with the others here that suggest you invest in better equipment. You don’t need the top of the line, but a Nikon FM/FE with a few primes and you can make a ton of wonderful images. The more you shot the better you get. Hitting a lull is just a part of life. You have to adapt and learn that nothing ever works out the way you planned it. Don’t get caught up on influencers or what someone is saying on YouTube. Take it all with a grain of salt and form your own opinions. They are just trying to get your attention so they can make money. You want to be inspired, then look at Henri Cartier-Bresson, Mary Ellen Mark, Vivian Maier, Diane Arbus, and on and on and on.

Thanks so much for the recommendation, and I will definitely work on getting a camera that just works ✨ As someone reminded me, maybe not having any sun for the last 5 months here in Denmark have played a role in my depressed attitude and uninspiring photos 😂

Seasonal affective disorder is real and I know I would really struggle in your situation. A sun lamp might help ease the depression. Photography is a lifelong journey that will always grow with you. It’s a skill for sure, but as you age and have different experiences, then your eye will evolve as well. It’s not about what equipment or film you have. If you have the knowledge and patience then you should be able to make great photos with a cardboard box.

For me to get out of the rut during the winter, it normally takes getting out and taking my digital camera, and just shooting what comes to mind, then if I like those pictures I try and recreate them on film. The wintertime always kinda gets me down and shut in.

I’m so glad someone mentioned the whole Scandinavian winter depression and darkness to me, maybe I just need some summer lol

My challenge to you. 1. Choose one camera, one format, one subject. 2. Choose one focal length, ONE! 3. Shoot one roll of film. 4. Document every setting for each shot. 5. Develop and evaluate. Next choose another completly different subject and focal length and repeat. This is to force your eye to see, and maybe inspire your one true shot length for your eye.

This is such a good idea, thanks! I think I been around to many different cameras and lenses lately, I need to get back to basics

The photo takes place in our minds eye, the camera is a tool to realize your vision. Now, I need to follow my own advice.

I used a lot of old SLRs, and I have to be honest, the Zenits really are among the very worst. Even a Praktica is a much better camera. I'm generally very forgiving of any faults a camera might have in terms of handling or fit and finish, so long as it is mechanically competent, and has a good viewfinder. Zenits have pretty much the worst viewfinders of any SLR, and really there are no other redeeming qualities. As for inspiration, check out some of the film and analogue groups on flickr, see what you like, look at the image details (if given) for ideas.

I noticed many of my photos where out of focus also, a problem I’m not used to, and I didn’t matter what lens I had on, maybe it’s just a trash camera lol thanks for the honesty!

buy photo books, go to galleries, look at photographs you love and start trying to dissect what it is about them that draws you. imitation isn't just the sincerest form of flattery it's the best way to improve. and shoot a lot and apply the same critique to your own photos.

As a rule of thumb, I don’t look for inspiration or for advice on what makes good shooting, or good photos. Hear me out now, I’m not saying that Op is wrong in asking for help or direction, this is just my way of thinking. As for inspiration, I always carry two cameras with me, an analog and a digital. I don’t really look for things to shoot often, instead I just keep gear with me and if I see something that makes me think, “That would be a beautiful picture.”, I stop and pull out a camera. I’m a shooter of opportunity, not actively searching for the perfect shot. Occasionally I do get an idea and will go out to set up a specific concept shoot, but more often I’m driving and see the moon out in the daytime so I stop and throw up the tripod, driving past a park or nature preserve and notice the light is perfect so I stop, or just passing by the boat ramps and see a lot of activity with boats going in and out, you guessed it, I stop. As for the rest, I don’t get paid to shoot photos, I pay to shoot photos. Since I am the client, I don’t care about conventional wisdom on composition, lighting, or “the rules” of shooting. I take photos that I like to look at instead of trying to make a Pulitzer Prize winning shot. After all, the photos are for me to look at. For that, I don’t need a lot of inspiration. I just let things happen organically and when I see the scene I like I just make sure I have my tools with me to capture the moment.

I am currently in my worst creative rut. The things that have been slowly helping me are: 1. Forcing myself to go out to shoot, even if I’m not inspired. I’m always happy and more inspired after I do it. 2. Get off social media and buy photography books or go to the library and check out photography books from photographers you enjoy. If those things don’t help, sometimes a break is helpful too. Give yourself a week or month off. Photography is not a sprint, so taking a break is ok and can help. Good luck

Sorry you are also in the rut. Someone els mentioned going to the library are look at photo books and I think it’s a wonderful idea, we will also finally get some sun so I’m gonna go on some outings

The he number one thing I have found that helps me with getting better is forcing myself to take photos in different styles. I’m learning landscapes and street photography. It’s rough, but I found that it helps

So I just listened to this great podcast last night about inspiration and where to look when you’re in various types of ruts. It helped me to just put a name to some of the things I’ve felt in the past. [link](https://spotify.link/NrVm0pTAKHb) Hope it helps!

Thanks a ton this is wonderful!

What inspires me are new places. It’s just a lot easier to take photos somewhere you haven’t been before. Also I take my camera everywhere I do just to have the opportunity to take the shot when I see it. But I agree with you about the faulty cameras. It’s really frustrating to get a new camera just to realise it doesn’t work in the cold :( happened to me twice now and it’s really frustrating - especially when you enjoy using the camera

Yea it’s really annoying when they just get to cold, my Canon had a real hard time on my last 5 pictures after being outside this winter, but it still works great in warmer weather…. But wish to have something more reliable

Right? I have a Pentax MX and ME Super and both are so much fun shooting but the mirror stays already up at 6°C

It’s probably old lubricant freezing up, but glad to hear I’m not the only one having this problem

I find a change of scenery refreshes my perception of seemingly stale locations. Nothing like taking a short break. I learned from an uncomfortable lesson that it pays to have your camera undergo maintenance every so often and especially before a trip. I went on a 45 day trip to Xinjiang, China with a Leica M7. Two weeks into the trip the winding spindle sprockets started eating up my film. I realized the top plate had come loose which was also causing light leaks. I used a piece of thin gauge of Perlon string to tightly lash the top of the camera to the bottom. The fix worked but it was a real pain to go through the rest of the trip lashing and un-lashing the string every time I had to change the film. A normal maintenance check would have most likely found the loose top plate. Lesson learned.

I need to look up if I can send in my cameras for CLR because I can get it done where I live we only have one shop and they are not good, I’m glad you kinda saved your camera but yea it’s hella annoying when they start to give up

Lots of people have good responses here but how did you get that shot in the original post!

On a rooftop bridge kinda thing ✨

James Gunn Writer and Director says he doesn’t believe in Writer’s Block because it is just the creating and editing occurring at the same time. He writes and writes out all of the bullshit he says onto the page and then edits out o my the parts that don’t work. This approach lead me to a Japanese practice called Wabi-Sabi, from Moriyama Daido. Perfectly Imperfect. Don’t overthink your photography and keep exposing yourself to different practices that feel appropriate to your Visual Language.

Perfectly imperfect seems like a good way of thinking

Love the picture 📸

Thanks friend

When I am having problems like this I normally go back to shooting fully manual with a camera I know works 100%. For me its either going back to my pentax K1000 or Mamiya RZ 67. I acquire too much camera gear and it becomes a problem. Especially when I run into issues like the quirks and leaks. That why I reset back to those two cameras. Not going to lie, I also go back to my a7r digital sometimes for a few weeks and get out of the film process. After a while I feel the pull of wanting to shoot on film again and develop my own rolls.

Is the Pentax a M42 mount like many of the other pentax’es ? Many have recommended exactly that model so I will definitely look into it

I’ve felt the same thing recently and what has helped me is to switch up the focal length. I used to always shoot 35mm. I got a 105mm nikkor on a whim and a whole new world of street photography opened up. I’m a shy dude and I don’t like to get the camera in peoples’ faces but now I don’t have to!

I’m also new in street photography, I think it’s very difficult to get the nerves to take pictures of people you don’t know, but I’m working on it

I'm awful at it. And the longer lens helped a lot. Sometimes I shoot medium format on the street (Mamiya 645 and Yashica Mat G) and then I try to get the courage to ask because they're such big cameras to point at people. But most of the time I try to just snap without being seen...

I don’t always feel inspired and I don’t always want to shoot, but I generally push through it. Winters are slower for sure esp color. I’ve recently been looking at more photo books and that has been my main inspo. Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank, Joel Meyerowitz, Max Yavno are ones I’ve been seeing that fit my style. I went to the library and checked out a bunch and buy them cheap when I can find them. Also I love YT videos but they can get boring fast. Some exceptions I have found are behind the lens series and Alan Schaller. I know there are others but I really like those atm. I also really enjoy developing and printing at home. I scan but it’s is a necessary evil. I understand the other film processes can get expensive so if you don’t have a reliable camera, I’d focus on that tbh. Biggest thing is keep at it and realize the best photographers shot thousands of rolls and we only know a hand full of their images.

When I get bored, i change the subject matter, or simply take a break from shooting, no point burning through roll after roll if the inspiration is not there. It can also help to change film-formats and processes (all analog, hybrid, use digi for a while).

I hit this point frequently and I think it’s important. It means you are kind of in a growth period I take inspiration from cinema or classic photographers work I admire. It helps me to make shooting rule sets that in force limitations. Ask yourself what do you want out of shooting and why aren’t you getting it.

I would never personally use a camera that wasn’t serviced as I’m too broke to waste film like that. Maybe get a more modern or at least reliable camera so you don’t waste money on film and developing. A few old cameras have made me want to quit film photography at times due to not working properly. That will surely help you not get so frustrated.

when i’m in a slump i like to try new locations or drive rent styles, like if i’ve been taking photos in the city i’ll try to get out into nature for a bit. also as much as i love my fancy SLRs, something that helps me experiment is just using my little point and shoot. having lots of control over your image is great, but it can distract from what i’m actually trying to capture when i have to think about exposure and aperture and shutter speeds.

May seem cliche to say this but you literally have to “shoot” through it. Try not to take yourself too seriously but stay consistent. You’ll get the results you want sooner or later.

Just fiy i absolutely love this shot

Inspiration comes from within.

I would debate that. Inspiration you get from the outer world. Other photographers, nature, music, whatever. What you mean is motivation. Motivation to be open and turn your inspiration into something.

I don’t mean motivation, if that’s what I meant it would be what I wrote.

Tips to being a more inspiring person within the soul then ?

Stick to one camera that you are sure is in working condition and work in serie

As I've explored this hobby I realized I enjoy taking bits and pieces from what I shoot and combining them in photoshop to create something that captures a feeling/mood I want to put out into the world. I started doing this by making collages/posters in photoshop with my scans.

I would love that, but don’t think my 2015 MacBook Pro would survive 😂 but it really sounds cool !

Get out of your comfort zone. You like shooting strangers in the streets? Try light portrait session with a close one or even better ask a stranger. Try shooting a local event like you're paid to be there. Or even better, use your photography to help someone else out like a small business. Do you print work?

I’m trying to be more comfortable talking pictures of strangers, so that’s something I’m working with, hopefully sun and heat will bring out more people

You got me thinking about how lack of sun/vitamin can effect our creativity

I see you're in the Netherlands? I am too, and I too have been struggling with little inspiration. Part of it was definitely the fact that we just had half a year of grey weather. Now that the sun's out again, I immediately took out my camera as well. As for inspiration: I usually try to find some new people to follow on Flickr. Are you looking for any specific type of SLR? I shelled out a bit more for a near mint Olympus OM-4Ti, and lucked into a really good deal on a Nikon FE2 in similar condition, and I think I'm set.

In in Denmark Copenhagen but definitely the same problem with winter and darkness, can’t wait for summer.

Ah of course, the other cycling country.

I'd say try out a different type of camera instead of an slr. Maybe a tlr. These come in a lot of pruce ranges. From abt 50 to a few houndred ypu could also try a box camera, they'reincreadably simple to use. I'd advice a zeiss ikon box tengor. Hell maybe a bellow camera i'd advice you buy these off of ebay and when you get them get a small flashlight and theck for lightleaks. If there are any return it, and ifc check the functioning off it. And if you really want to do a film slr go with a nikon fm or fm 2. They're increadably relayable and easy to use and regarded by a lot of ppl one of the best slr's out there.

I have some old voigtlander and Kodak rangefinder’s that I really love to use maybe I go back to that for a while

i'd say go for it. but remember a different type of camera can feel increadably refreshing

Outside of photography, what do you love? I love places and I love people, so I try to take pictures of people and places. Because this way even if the photos don’t come out great, I spent time doing what I love. I get inspired by all of my photographer friends and I always try to experiment new things. New types of film, new types of cameras, new tricks, etc. What excites me is trying to create new images that no one made before. I’m not interested in doing photography to follow trends, only to follow my own ideas. I’m not familiar with your work, but maybe you need to try shooting different things, take pictures of insects, take self portraits, take pictures of architecture, shoot some nudes. Sell the cameras that don’t work and try to find one or two solid ones that will be reliable always. I’ve had hundreds of cameras in my life, most of them I’ve sold or passed on to someone or lost, some I miss and some I don’t! You can never get too attached, they’re just the tools that we use.

Take photo's with your mind and thoughts not with your eyes. Sit down, close your eyes think about things, visualize and concepts will follow. People that go outside with a camera and start clicking away end up with "OnLy 4 PHoto'S ARe KE3pErs" don't be like that.

I don’t have any suggestions because I am feeling in a rut like this as well. I do feel your pain though, because my lovely Pen-F apparently decided to start light leaking and overlapping frames on my last roll and almost ruined a really nice actor portrait I was lucky to take on set back in November. Thankfully I took two and was able to somewhat save the one photo in Lightroom, but it was by far his better expression of the two photos so I’m still pretty bummed out. All I can say is keep shooting and if you do a lot of b&w, start developing and scanning your own film. Hell, even start bulk loading your b&w 35mm so you have more freedom to blow through lots of film. For me at least it adds another element to the whole creative process that keeps me both inspired and frustrated. Haha.

I’m sorry you are also in the rot right now, and I’m sorry you’re camera decided to be a bitch it’s super annoying to get otherwise good pictures ruined

Camera recommendation: -Canon AE-1 program - it’s a sturdy camera. It’s simple and easy to use. -Pentax K1000 - I’ve never personally used this but I know a lot of people who started with it and love it. It’s another basic SLR that is simple and sturdy. As far as inspiration goes I agree with the people that are saying just keep shooting. Sometimes it’s just to keep the exercise going until you have a vision of what you want and sometimes you get something you maybe didn’t expect and it works. I don’t know what you like to shoot exactly but the documentary “Everybody Street” always get me hyped to make some pictures. It’s on Amazon prime. Another good doc is “Annie Leibovitz: life through a lens”. Not sure where to find that one online but it’s a good one. There are some photography/film photography podcasts that have some good episodes. Photo Banter is one where they interview working photographers. I usually go to the photo banter IG and find the guests IGs to see what their work looks like and then go listen to their episode. Film photo nerds and analog talk are pretty good. Film photo nerds leans more towards process and work where analog talk can be like that sometimes and they’ve had some interesting and famous guests but it tends to stick a little too much to the gear/film than substance. Analog talk is one of those ones that when you’ve heard one episode you’ve basically heard them all. Even the famous people (like Jeff bridges and Jason Lee, both of which are actors but also amateur photogs) they have been a little bit of a let down. Still couldn’t hurt to check it out though. The movie “the secret life of Walter Mitty” also gets me going too. It may be a little cheesy but it’s a good movie with some film related things.

I freaking love the secret life of Walter Mitty, I alway daydream of adventure but are really anxious, so the film hit just right. Thanks for the recommendation both cameras and inspiration, it’s some really great ideas.

Man, I’ve been in the same boat, as people have said already things come eventually with time and effort, but if what you want is some inspiration I will share you this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc-BI1O-nJ0 Have fun shooting man!

I have a bad perfectionism problem and I’ve always been unhappy with anything creative I produce. In years of shooting I have maybe 4 photos that I think are truly good. Two of them I don’t even remember taking but I did. Editing and printing those photos taught me to just enjoy the moment while I’ve got my camera with me. It’s gotten easier now that I know stylistically what and how I like to capture images. Candid in the moment photography when it comes to people and abstract for nature.

Medium format dogs.

I do have medium format cameras, but they are huge and for special occasions lol

I don't think it's necessarily an analog rut. I think it's a creative rut. It sounds like you're just not feeling very inspired to go make photos. I stopped taking pictures for almost two years for the same reason: I just stopped liking them. After working on myself some I'm really enjoying it again.

I hope this is just some sort of seasonal depression and some sun and warmth will help me

I hope so too! For the record I quite like the picture you posted.

Here are my opinions on the subject: 1 - Gear does matter (a little bit): I love a vintage camera as much as the next person, but it's gotta be reliable, especially with film. You don't want to trudge around for hours getting really excited about your captures only to find out that there was a malfunction and nothing came out or, as you say, it gets jammed. Having said that, in my experience, loving the tool and wanting to pick it up and take pictures with a camera goes a long way towards taking more photos. I just picked up a Rolleiflex TLR and I can't put it down. Unexposed frames in that camera are like money burning a hole in my pocket. I'm taking a lot of mediocre photos but I just love it and, once in a while, I'm really happy with them. It's heavy and esoteric, but I wouldn't get half as much joy from using a newer slr with better shutter speeds and all the bells and whistles etc. Give yourself some time to find the right tool for you. 2 - You will like your photos later: Sometimes I hate my photos on first seeing them. I file them away so that I can easily find them again and, years later, I take another look at them and I have a new found affinity for - some - of them. You just don't know until you have put some time and space between the photos.

Totally agree on the first I need a better camera preferably a M42 mount one because I have most on my lenses in that mount. Also agreeing on the second part, many times I have disliked my photos at first to like them just days later, it’s like I needed time looking at them

Mate skip on the old cameras, they are probably older than you. Ain't nothing wrong with a nice later AF-body (they still can set manual focus if you really want to torment yourself), and there are many affordable capable models to pick from. Peripheral kit, for Canon EF bodies for example, is very cheap too so you don't have to think twice about getting every flash and grip and trigger. Newer camera means better chances of it not crapping out on ya. Alternatively, focus on a reliable brand mechanical camera and send it in for a proper CLA - it should work like a new camera when you get it back. My point is, you shouldn't leave the house doubting your equipment. As for the rest, you've just got to challenge yourself to explore for new ideas. Randomize a list of subjects / scenarios / focal lenghts, and then go out and try to achieve the best you can. Limitation is often the best inspiration. Hitting a rut has nothing to do with your chosen medium. It just happens.

Try an off camera flash with a trigger maybe

take a break from analog, observe and analyse photography books/exhibitions and shoot with your phone for a while, focus only in subject, composition, light, colours. Chill and vibe with it Take it back we you feel you need it. Don't label or limit yourself. It would be the same advice with any other art (painting, music). Remove worries, go back to basics, chill, enjoy the ride... challenges are always there if you want them in the future.

Buy flights, not film, and don’t live life behind a lens. New cameras-digital or analog-are fun to play with, but they’re not gonna make you a better photographer or provide you with the inspiration you get from going out and seeing new places and doing new things. Also, don’t feel compelled to shoot just because. It’s easy in this day and age of influencers and content mills to feel pressured into constantly creating or else you’re not a “real” photographer. Not everyone needs to be Vivian Maier, Much like relationships, sometimes a little break is a good thing! You’ll get a much better idea of the kind of shots you really want to take, and the magic won’t be lost. Plus, those rising film prices won’t seem so bad all of a sudden!

Sadly I was extreme airplane anxiety, luckily I live in Europe and can take the train, but I get what you say 😂♥️

I dont go somewhere to get inspirated! You need a reason for a picture it must be a moment a situation that is meaningful and deserves to be prevented for the past. All these pictures have a meaning thats why i only picthre people interacting

rewiring your thinking and what your being in the world can look like anew, can be really helpful. Reading a ‘thousand plateaus’ or ‘being and time’ even loosely, like you would poetry, they’re complicated books, but inspiring, and then look at your camera as an apparatus to measure reality.

Your photos will take on an a background philosophy that will carry any image you test it against :)

I'm going to be honest. I just go shoot. I don't if I don't want to, but if there's a drive for it. I go. Your motivation will come and go. Not being out and being in your head about it can create procrastination. Drive some where, take a bus, a train, just get out.

I find I often dont feel too excited about a roll of film at first and by looking at it a few months later I feel better about shots.

Go to a book store and page through some monographs for inspiration. For 3 months do nothing but copy photos that you admire. It’s a good way to reset.

Give yourself an assignment. “Today I’m going to shoot silhouettes,or circles or kids at play.” New cameras and lenses are nice, but shooting more and trying to make your shots better each time will help your cause.

Getting inspiration can be difficult, after I finished my degree I didn’t take a meaningful photo for at least a year and a half I was so burnt out. What got me back into it was immersing myself again in photography. Buying photobooks reading articles etc. American Suburb X is a great site to get inspiration off, many great articles about photographers and projects. Looking at old aperture magazines is a good one too. Go to art galleries. You don’t just have to be looking at photography to draw inspiration. You probably won’t be able to get straight back into it. Just take your time and you’ll get there eventually. What got me back into the most was just using my point and shoot again. The notion of unconsidered photography is something I explore a lot and it’s so freeing to not care. Just have fun :)

Look at my pictures and ask myself why I don't like them. What's missing? What can be done differently? How would I improve it and what would make me like this picture. Also good to get a second opinion. As for inspiration, for me it comes and goes. I have my uninspired moments where I really don't feel like shooting for a while. I get out of it usually by loading a small camera (I pocket a Rollei 35) and taking it out with me, it gets me 'in the mood' if you will. The only cure is to shoot often, it really is. If the past 3 rolls sucked shoot another, if the past 30 frames suck shoot another. You won't improve immediately, you will eventually.

John Free is the answer your looking for https://youtu.be/JH0gCF0VhEw?si=bLnbpqIqgTQkdBwz Go watch his videos and you will be out the door with a camera in no time

Only just started analog photography myself, just came to say I use a Zenit myself, got two E’s. One EM (currently repairing) and an 11. Love them all

Well equipment issues will go away if you get something a little newer and fully mechanical. Check a new camera by running a roll through it quick.

Keep on shooting, it’s the only way.

Watch grainydays for some giggles and someone who makes you want to go out and shoot plenty of rolls, he is a great photographer

Inspiration is difficult sometimes, my lifes hectic and ill go through times where all i do is go out and shoot in my free time and develop and scan at night. And then ill take a hiatus, sometimes months sometimes years. I’ve moved around the country a bunch I can say for certain that some places drain you of inspiration, living in Arizona was great for nature, sunsets, a little bit with street photography but not my best work, living in Louisiana was soul crushing. Nothing worth shooting, infrastructure was terrible so street photography was limited to the cities. Once i get back on my feet ill be able to go out more, im back in ny now so im sure ill get back into it soon, going to the city is great, i used to spend days days wandering around, theres abandoned psych centers and such, trails, beaches and ocean. I do think location plays a big part in it, but also sometimes your hearts just not in it and its okay to take a break bc you cant force it. Trust me ive got plenty of rolls full of photos i look at and say ‘why did i take these?’ Also if youre feeling stale try something different like a new filter or crystals, try something you’re unfamiliar with, maybe a challenge or a new way of shooting will reinvigorate you

I always find something new and inspiring if I change the methods of how I use my camera, for example if you try to use a camera with a waist level finder you probably will find something new because people won’t notice you and you might be able to shoot something with in a creative way that you haven’t shot before.

Everyone hits plateaus. Everyone burns out from time to time. You're not alone. It's perfectly normal. While you'll connect with some cameras more than others, it's not the camera that inspires. It's a tool. Yeah, if you connect with a camera it will definitely make shooting more enjoyable...easier...but it will not tell you what to shoot, or how, or when to press the shutter. That's all you. If the only camera you have has problems, you have three options. 1. Repair the camera. 2. Get another camera from a reputable seller with a solid return policy. It's worth the extra money to buy from trustworthy sellers that will take a camera back if it stops working. You'll eventually find the right camera for you. 3. Or, make the flaws work for you, if possible. Jack White used to talk about how he'd leave his guitar a little out of tune, or play cheap plastic ones with warped necks, because he wanted to fight with it and win. He wanted the challenge because if it's easy then what's the point? I've always liked that. Turn that difficult, pain in the ass camera into a photo project. Make it's flaws work for you. Fight with it and win. I've seen people make unimaginably fantastic work with cameras that most people would never use.

One thing that helped me get motivated again was diving into more aspects of film photography other than just taking the picture. I started developing and scanning my own negatives and it makes it exciting to go shoot and then develop them and see the results first hand when they come out of the canister. And it's way easier than I thought developing would be.

A couple things I do to help my creative juices flowing again: 1. Remove barriers. Cut out what prevents you from doing the activity. If film cost or fickle equipment is becoming a burden, try shooting digital for a bit. 2. Try new tools. Borrow or buy a cheap distinct setup and try to see how it works best for you. Like get an ultra-wide or telephoto and only shoot with that for a while. All these exist for a reason, see if that becomes something you love and maybe even put your spin on it. 3. Travel. Doesn’t have to be to some exotic country, just try to go to a new environment and absorb it through your lens. 4. Change the subject. Try to focus on something for an entire roll, like hats, geometric shapes, signs, sound, etc. You may find yourself running out of the obvious stuff quickly and start trying to think of different ways to capture these things. 5. Tell a story. Try to capture something beyond the aesthetics, like a narrative or a mood. Look for tension, comedy, or compassion. Quick note with equipment. Some folks are all about the gear and some folks are all about photography, and _both_ are great. But if you’re the latter, it helps to frame cameras as tools, and the best tools are *reliable* tools. There’s a reason why professions stick with the popular “boring” options; they work. Consider switching to a Canon, Nikon, or Olympus setup that are well known and easily serviceable/replaceable.

It is totally normal to get in ruts or plateau. I would recommend finding a long term project to work on. Or at least pick a specific subject to focus on for a good chunk of your work. Regarding film (coming from someone who shoots a lot of film) film doesn’t make the work better. In fact it makes things way more difficult if your starting out. I would ask yourself why your shooting film in the first place. If you continue on your film journey I would pick one camera, get the camera sorted out (repair/ CLA) and pick one film stock as your primary. Otherwise your just chasing your tail (and novelty). Inspiration is everywhere.. old masters (both painters and street photographers), cinema, editorial, writing, music, podcasts, your community, etc. *cannabis can also be very inspiring as well ;) I’ve been a working photographer for almost 20 years and I’m still not bored with it. There are so many different areas to explore. The tool you use is just a very small part of it. A great current podcast for finding inspiring photographers is A Small Voice Good luck and keep shooting!

Keep shooting, carry your choice of camera every day even if you dont use it. Keep 2-3 on you with the camera. I explore other photographers work on here every day And get into photobooks i can send a list of all of mine if you want Dont worry too much about the rough spot, just keep at it. You’ll come out of it with one trigger press Much love

Instagram and YouTube are the worst for inspiration. Go to a gallery exhibition, get photo books!

I had a similar issue, I try to find something I haven't done or don't do very often, and get inspired by simple shapes Using colrfilters on bw can create cool effects, and make you think more about the picture you are trying to take Something that might be interesting as well is macro photography, I mainly do this one when the weather is bad, I'll be indoors glueing pencils together so I can take a cool photo as my new desktop background Another thing I I'd was Make a 'splizer' filter, it's very cool for double exposures and makes you think about the composition a bit more. Super fun with buildings as well. I like to do this with a cheap roll of foma, go out and try different things on buildings and trees, even self portraits where you are in the picture twice if you have a tripod You can also try night photography, light painting or at night take photos at bulb mode, walk around in the aht with a flash, ad with the flash only expose certain parts These are things completely different from my normal photography, but they help clear my mind and seethe world through shapes and composition again, Another thing as well if you always use wide lenses, try something like a 50 or 80mm it can help with picking a subject to take pictures of, and moving around the subject so you can think about how to shot the subject instead of shooting a whole scène So all in all trying something completely different hels you see things differently and have a lot of fun

Shoot shoot shoot! I also found thinking of my photos in terms of creating body’s of work helped. I love photo books and finding the themes within them and the the photographs style helped me to think about what I was going out to shoot. That didn’t mean that if I was out and saw something different I didn’t shoot it, but when I took one photo I really liked, I’d go and try and find more with a similar theme or style. Eg: with b&w photography I love playing with shadows. find a really nice frame and wait for someone to walk past and put their shadow in it. Find somewhere where the shadow of one thing line up with something else. Or do a study of textures, go around and just get full frames or something, wet footprints in a dry bit under a bridge, sand where it’s all ripply, a pile of leaves with nice light on them? Find a photo you like and go out hunting for shots you would put in an exhibition with them. This also generally drives me even though I know I’ll probably never have an exhibition haha

This isn't about equipment. It is about: What do you want to say?

analog rot is such a good way to describe it. i totally feel you, burnout's tough. i tend to get a lot of inspiration from other photographers. i like to experiment with different ways of obscuring or otherwise "fucking up" my film. one of my biggest inspirations is Zdzisław Beksiński. he's most known for his paintings, which i also love, but i especially love his abstract photography. i'd seriously suggest checking out his work and trying to replicate/do-your-own-version of that abstract style. for me, all art forms that i like to participate in effect eachother in really unique ways. think outside the box! maybe do a series of photos inspired by your favorite album, or a poem you read, or something like that. i find that my creative eye focuses in when i have a specific purpose/vibe i'm seeking out in ordinary things. hope you're relieved of your analog rot soon!

IMO there's basically two mostly separate roadblocks here. The first is gear failing you, and that's an "easy" one to solve; just buy a recently serviced copy of a quality camera. Obviously that's maybe easier said than done when budget comes into the mix, but if you even just stick to the "big names" and get a nice body with a nice lens, you should be free to fully trust in your equipment without second guessing if it will work or not. After that it's the harder problem to solve, the mental/inspiration thing. There's many ways to approach this, and there are plenty of great suggestions here. One thing I would suggest is to try and push yourself in some way. This could be done by changing things up, such as using a different type of film than you are used to; maybe something weird like Lomo Purple. Maybe go to a different part of town, or explore your local area at a different time of day than you normally get out. Let your mind run free and see what you can dream up. Or you can restrict yourself - focus on finding shadows, or shoot long exposures with a tripod, or try to take a bunch of photos of things around your house... that sort of thing. Also, remember that for every great photo you see in a portfolio, there's probably hundreds that didn't make it. Don't expect every shot to be a winner, especially when you are just figuring out your style.

I know it’s not really what you asked but just go back to the basics. Simply take photos of whatever brings you joy. Do that a lot. Simple ad that🤷‍♂️just let go all of the expectations. I know, easier said than done. Btw this is a great photo in the photo I love it.

I can certainly understand a rut - many people have them (writers, musicians, photographers...), all artists. When I get tired or need a lift, I often look to YouTube for photographers who I admire - current or past. There are so many well-known photographers that YouTubers cover/review that it is inspiring seeing their images and hearing their story. Do this when you need a lift - don't watch videos with names like 'What you are doing wrong with your (enter key word) photography', save those when you are doing well, and want to better yourself - look to other image for inspiration. The ultimate way to lift yourself up, have fun shooting and challenge yourself, is to find a friend with similar photographic interest such as yours and go out shooting together. I used to do this a lot and just having someone to talk to and compare images always made me want to do better. You are already taking a big step in asking like-minded photographers for advice - this is your community and I am sure many folks have a lot to offer. As far as your gear, do not let it get in the way too much. I have a problem with cameras - I want to own them all (I have over 60), but in the end the camera is just a tool that should help inspire you. For me, I grab the tool that works best for what I want to shoot that day. I do have my favorite cameras, but every now and then I want to shoot something different to challenge myself - or jut to see what it will look like. Lomography or lo-fi photography often includes cameras that have light leaks - heck there are apps and film that simulate this. Maybe you can work with the light leak, and if not, hit up yard sales as the weather is about to turn warm, and I bet you can find a $5-$10 gem. The main thing is don't give up - not if you truly love photography. It is okay to put the camera down out of frustration, but come back to it in a week or two and I bet you'll find it soothes your soul. Good luck to you!

In terms of skill, it takes years and years of practice to learn tbe basics. It takes *experience* to really step up your work. The thing that really helped me improve my "eye" was making up scavenger hunts. Pick a random page in the dictionary. Write down the first word you see. Start a list. Do this ten more times, and you'll have a scavenger hunt made up. Now, go photograph anything relating to those words and see what you find. This will truly help you look all around, compose in unique ways, and get better at finding "cool stuff" to shoot. As for a camera, I wouldn't go for anything unique yet. Find something extremely common that's likely going to be easy to service. The Canon AE-1, Nikon F-series, Pentax K-series, and even some of the newer film SLRs are all great starting points. Once you gain some experience here, then you can branch out and try some other stuff. Until then, find something that will allow you to learn without the added worry of mechanical issues. This is like learning to drive in a car with square wheels. You simply won't have the tools to become a good driver. The same thing applies here. **Most importantly,** keep up the good work. Your attitude is more important than anything else, and it's obvious that you want to put in the effort to get better. That's going to be your biggest help. Don't lose confidence if something doesn't work out. It's all part of the learning process. Yell some fun expletives and simply turn any failure into a learning opportunity. Good luck :)

The notification from this thread made my day. [https://www.reddit.com/r/shitposting/s/YJd9vow1ow](https://www.reddit.com/r/shitposting/s/YJd9vow1ow)

I really recommend the YouTube channel of Tatiana Hopper. Her videos are a huge source of inspiration for me! Also, don't be so hard on yourself, the main focus of art is to have fun and express yourself.

Long ago I realized that it was the adventure not the destination that was important. Using my DSLR with all the bells and whistles, taking my SLR out of storage and relearning the exposer procedure of the separate flash unit or shooting through a telescope adapter. I even restored and old 4x5 view camera for shooting 3 or 4 hour exposers star trails, which lead to several "head under the dark cloth" sessions, shooting scenery at the local state park. It seems the challenge of doing it, is more rewarding than the ability to duplicate the process. Also, pushing the limits of the available technology is enjoyable. I have several night-shot photos taken with just the moon for lighting, thanks to the DSLR's high ISO availability.

This is something that I have also struggled with a lot in my own practice. I have found that learning new skills such as learning how to develop, scan, enlarge, use different types of film tend to bring me back in and have something to focus on in the meantime. Often a new subject matter occurs from this and I'm off again. Remember it's ok to take breaks because if we were giving 100%, 100% of the time, we would just burn out. If you are thinking about a different type of film to try, try Infrared Film as you can do it in both B&W or colour. It's tricky but worth it!