Thursday
Jan212010
Try Something Different
January 21, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Sue 
The past several weeks I have been experiencing "photographer block."
It could be the result of a move to a new city after living some 40 years in our previous city. The purpose of this move is to be closer to our son and his family. The move is a positive change but brings some adjustments for us; jolting my husband and me out of the comfort and security of our smaller, more quaint community and into the excitement and hustle of a much larger, urban city.
My photographer block could be the result of feeling a little pressure after receiving an invitation to participate in this new collaborative blogging venture. I don't consider myself a writer and am still on a quest to perfect my photography skills. The talent and skill of this group of "women of a certain age" is impressive. Can I fit in? Do I have anything to offer? Can I discipline myself to uphold my share of the responsibilities?
Or, could it be the time of year (cold weather but no really pretty snow, shorter dreary days, etc), my state of mind (still not truly settled following the move), or...well, as you probably know there are any number of reasons as to why any of us experience "photographer block."
Having amassed a rather large group of photographer friends across the world, I put out a plea for help. How does one go about overcoming "photographer block," I asked.
In waves, the ideas and suggestions followed. "Macro." "Have patience." "Self Assignments." "Themes." "Undertake a 365 project." "Self Portraits." "Learn a new technique." The list of great comments and suggestions was extensive, as was the encouragement.
The suggestion, however, that resonated the clearest with me was "Try something different."
Haven't we all experienced breakthroughs and expanded our outlook as we "tried something different." Isn't that one important way in which new ideas are created?
I happen to think the wise advice my photographer friend gave me is appropriate for life as well. When we are in a rut, often times simply "trying something different" will present us a fresh perspective or open our eyes to new possibilities.
"You can learn new things at anytime in your life if you're willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you." ~Barbara Sher
Reader Comments (29)
First of all - LOVE that image! It is so totally cool. Sometimes it is hard to keep our eyes open to new possibilities, but life can change in so many good ways if we do. And think of the excitement when we do discover something new - WOW!! Awesome post, Sue.
Glorious image, I can just see it as a huge canvas.
My tip for block busting is to take a different route, a regular journey, just done a different way. (Well it's worked for me in the past!)
WOW a spectacular image. As said in the above comment that on a huge canvas on a wall would be amazing. I think that a way out from a "photographer block" is to do things in a different way. Not complicating things but just different. As you wrote yourself as long we are willing to learn there is always something new and exciting to discover.
Yeah, great image, worth Framing! and Yes, I recognise that story. What I would suggest, since your in a new place: explore! the park, the market, downtown, around the corner, tourist attractions. All the places you haven't seen yet. Lovely post!
See with a 'beginner's mind'...is a favorite manta of mine whenever I find myself stuck. And - if you don't like what you're looking at - turn around...there's bound to be something behind you that catches your camera's eye!! What a stunning image. The colors blew me away. And hopefully writing about your struggles..will set you free to get back to your photography. Beautiful post!!!
The image is so cloisonné-ish, Sue. I love it. Wow. A cloisonné macro! I can see it blown up big on a pyschologist's waiting room. :) Based on what you have posted for us today, it looks like you are already well over your photographer's block. And congratulations on your big move. That warrants many stars in your crown, I'm sure!
Sue, what a splendid image to accompany your inaugural post on Vision and Verb - it certainly does seem to represent "something different" for you.
My advice for overcoming the block would have been to put down your camera and take time to explore your new city as a non-photographer. It's knowing the place (as you did your old town) that will inspire you to create art from the heart.
I look forward to more inspiration here from you and your colleagues...
Wonderful way to ariticulate what all of us feel from time to time. I love that image and I'm frankly inspired right now to try something new! Thank you Sue!
Sue I LOVE this...the image makes me think of an exotic African garden (just been in one having lunch and a delicious glass of wine); gorgeous and vibrant and delightfully chaotic. Trying something different is quite a hurdle isn't it...we get stuck in our own ways, own rut, own comfort zones...seems an awfully high bar to face. The Barbara Sher quote says it all :)
You may be trying something different, but when I saw this image I thought--Sue Henry! Of course, I knew you were part of this group.
terrific photo. i would add one thing to try something different, be spontaneous. i find that more and more i am willing to jump into something with a moment's notice, less planning and more doing. great post sue.
I agree that trying something different can work for any 'block' we come up against. But as your photo illustrates, focusing in on something creates a wonderful new world,too. From a distance, the brilliant, swirling colors attract our attention and please our eyes. Then, when you focused in a little closer, you revealed a whole new area of interest, tiny cracks with a mind of their own,connecting and reconnecting. To me this is a piece of Gramma's pottery, the one she filled with faded, plastic fruit, and the cracks mirror or lovely, ancient skin. Farmergal
Ah, Sue, you may not call yourself but you are a writer as well as a thinker, a photographer, a great life journeyer. Sure - new beginnings, trying something different, turning around to see what is behind you - all bits on the longer journey. But it looks like this will be the start of something good!
Adore this photo as well. Bravo! I also love how I can't figure out exactly what it is. Mysteriously beautiful!
Sue, this is so appropriate, I wrote today about unblocking, for me it's been writing 3 pages a day, free form pages. I was stalled and now I really feel excited and am moving forward on all sorts of projects! Great photo ...
Sue, you never fail to impress!
Outstanding Sue. No wonder you 'got' my post the other day at my blog. You are experiencing this intent on trying new and different things. I agree whole heartedly about trying something different. That's what I do too and it always works. It's like when we were children exploring the world and life around us; the more we tried the richer we became. Love your image Sue!
You couldn't be more inspiring!
being a family therapist in my other life the topic of 'being stuck' lives with me in my office everyday. i sit with people who feel profoundly stuck and It is a given that they need to "try something different". what has interested me most is the way in which the smallest shift in thought, action or perspective can change the trajectory of a life. It is amazing and a constant source of inspiration for me.
thanks for the great post sue. i will try something different today and see what comes :)
yes! found you on shutter sisters a few minutes ago -- this is what i have been longing for!
I have a quote on my desk. "Dare to be naive" ~ R. Buckminster Fuller. When I hit blocks, I get silly, I play. I try to ignore what the neighbors must be thinking as I scavenge the streets and their yards for pictures or words, and once laughingly apologized to the man next door, who then told me it made him happy to see me out photographing. :) Judging from the beautiful image above, I think you are playing a bit. A new game. Something different. Love it!
Just the post I needed to read ... "try something different." Perfect.
Well Sue, your "something different" really worked! Love the colors! I think that we all go through this as photographers. Sometimes I just wait it out and that inspiration comes to me. Sometimes it's the change in seasons that lights a spark under me. Being in a new city is so exciting and a whole new challenge in itself so I say that should be your next new challenge. Get in the car and explore your new surroundings! You're going to find SO MANY new things you never expected - especially in a more URBAN area! I bet we're going to see a whole NEW YOU in the coming months with a different surrounding then your old stomping grounds. I can't wait to go on the journey with you!! =)
Love this! Makes me want to jump in the middle and swim around in the glorious colors that would be trying something different! All of the photos and words are inspiring truly a gift to us thank you all for creating this wonderful blog!!!! Leanne Pollock
Great image! I love the new Vision and Verb blog too...looking forward to more great things!