I’ve noticed – since I stopped working full time – (and so am not taking photographs because I have to) – that I work through peaks and troughs of creativity. I seem to be really creative for a while, and then for whatever reason, it just drops off, and i have no idea what to do next.
I also found, that the more I worried about it, the worse it went (a bit like insomnia!). Sometimes it’s just because life has got in the way, and I don’t have the time to photograph. Other demands, and other things have to be done before I can have time to pick up a camera. It doesn’t matter why I can’t do it, I still get feelings of guilt that I’m not – even if the other thing I’m doing gives me pleasure.
I mentioned this to a friend a little while ago, and to my relief discovered that she had the same thing happen to her – and then when you open up the discussion – you realise that nearly everyone who makes or creates art of any kind has the same fallow times.
One photographer I know, gave up the camera for a good period of time, and concentrated instead on painting – she created some incredible artwork, and invited me to her house to have a go. We paint poured (I’ll post an image when it’s dry, and she’s back off holiday) – and it was so incredibly relaxing. We sat in her summer house, listening to the birds, and crafted abstract images by pouring paint onto a canvas.
So totally different from photography, and much less instant, as the canvas will take days to dry completely, and will then need to be treated again to bring the shine back.
In between times, I realise that my camera sensor is filthy, and I need to deal with that before I do anything else.
So, till the inspiration comes back, I’ll relax, go with the flow, and try to do something totally different, and try to finish the words for my Meridian talk….