I AM IN SUCH A RUT!

[gpaai]

I am sooooooo disappointing myself creatively these days. I wonder if I should walk away from it all and somehow rediscover myself?

Thinking about it last night it seems that everything took a turn when I started school. When things became technical, the natural flow seemed to vanish.



Gary

[erichmangl]

I am sooooooo disappointing myself creatively these days.

i know how it feels - sometimes the head is empty and all of the sudden you have more ideas than time. have no hint what you can do except: be patient, it will come back

[dazedgonebye]

It’s hard to live a left side of the brain work life and still give your right side its due. The transition from verbal to non-verbal thought processes can be very difficult. Finding ways to turn off the left side and reach a relaxed state is a very good start. Try listening to a piece of music you particularly like…something you find emotional might be best. Read poetry for a few minutes after work/school. Draw if you like to do that. Look at a book of your favorite art or photography and actually try to understand what is being presented.
The thing is to try to trick the brain in to the non-verbal processing mode. There is a book that’s been out for some time called “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.â€

[gpaai]

I believe a part of what happened to me is this: Prior to starting school (to improve my artistic skills of all things) I seemed to have a certain formula, for lack of a better term, that worked for me.

Since starting school it seems I have all but been brainwashed into thinking "by the book". In my first semester of one particular design class involving Photoshop, I was even told to forget what I had learned as it was most likely filled with bad habits.

Now thinking about it, I wonder if it was some of those bad habits that gave me my edge? Good or bad, I had a way of doing things that worked for me and now I desperately try to get it back on a daily basis but can't seem to.

At this point I would gladly give up any and all credentials I have been trying to obtain just to get my old groove back.

Gary

[1designguy]

WOW Dr. Dazed That took some thought! Impressive!!!

[dazedgonebye]

I believe a part of what happened to me is this: Prior to starting school (to improve my artistic skills of all things) I seemed to have a certain formula, for lack of a better term, that worked for me.

Since starting school it seems I have all but been brainwashed into thinking "by the book". In my first semester of one particular design class involving Photoshop, I was even told to forget what I had learned as it was most likely filled with bad habits.

Now thinking about it, I wonder if it was some of those bad habits that gave me my edge? Good or bad, I had a way of doing things that worked for me and now I desperately try to get it back on a daily basis but can't seem to.

At this point I would gladly give up any and all credentials I have been trying to obtain just to get my old groove back.

Gary

I'd be very turned off by anyone telling me to forget what I know. How arrogant is that? How in the world can anyone apply that attitude to a creative pursuit? And photoshop is definitely part of the creative process.

You've always done great work Gary. Don't let some pinhead get between you and what you do.

[dazedgonebye]

WOW Dr. Dazed That took some thought! Impressive!!!

Not much of it orignial I'm sorry to say.

[jude_53]

I read that book a long time ago, dazed.. it did help a great deal when I was still drawing.
I swear there are days when I think I'll never do a good pic again - I fear that it's all a fluke and my 'time's up'.. Then I'll do something I truly like (even if no on else does) and I realize it's just there waiting inside.

I'd like to take a good photography course - one that teaches me how to utilize a camera better, not how to capture what I want. I hear you can expose things to your liking and everything when you know the technical side :S

You've always been so creative, Gary... at least you know how what you learn is affecting you..

[bobfloyd]

I read that book a long time ago, dazed.. it did help a great deal when I was still drawing.
I swear there are days when I think I'll never do a good pic again - I fear that it's all a fluke and my 'time's up'.. Then I'll do something I truly like (even if no on else does) and I realize it's just there waiting inside.

You have described me perfectly since I made the jump from film to digital, especially with anything I want to do in Black and White. Most days I despair at ever shooting a good pic again.

[vinofreak]

I understand where you are gappi. I am there way too often. Our family of photogs have made such lapses part of the process. When in a slump. Pick an element. A thing, color, shadow, smile, star, lens you seldom use, etc and look for/through that specific element as you go through your day.

These 'challenge themes' will, I promise, do several things. A couple are: Make you much more observant of the detail in your life and surroundings. And, if you shoot images with that element all day, bump you out of your slump.

Your images show a very talented and creative individual. Keep it up.

[gpaai]

I came across a great quote this morning that has truly inspired me:

Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training. Author: Anna Freud

Thanks to all who have replied to this thread. What inspirations you are as well.

Gary

[rickl52]

You just have to love educational systems.

~The more you learn, the less you know~

The natural human mode of learning is experimentation and looking for what one needs to know, not being *fed* by teachers. It might seem chaotic but each student is then able to create the program that addresses their needs.

It might help to look at that rather retentive teacher as no more than a source of some information and technique, but it's doubtful you'll learn any creativity from the formal-and-approved-this-is-the-way-to-do-it thing.

Great quote you found. Best wishes.

rick

[pathfindar]

Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (Mark Twain)

A photograph is neither taken nor seized by force. It offers itself up. It is the photo that takes you. One must not take photos. ~Henri Cartier-Bresson

Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask "how," while others of a more curious nature will ask "why." Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information. ~Man Ray

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. ~Albert Einstein

[dravlinbood]

imagination is more important than knowledge
Albert Einstein