In my experience, I find that what works the best is setting myself mini projects. I usually shoot wildlife, and whenever I find myself in a creative dry dock, I focus on one species doing one specific behaviour or in a specific set of conditions (rain, backlight, in flight . . .) That keeps me from running around like a headless chicken and gives me something to aim for. For street it could be things like people carrying a specific object, wearing a certain colour. When you've done lots of these mini projects, I find that all those specific situations then become really obvious even when you're not looking for them.

@snapsbyfox

5 ай бұрын

great advice!

@raublekick

5 ай бұрын

I've been practicing macro photography over the last several months, and have been doing these sorts of mini projects with specific flowers in my neighborhood community garden. A few weeks ago I stopped by over several days and photographed one tiny flower, half the size of my thumbnail. I came out with dozens of usable (even if not amazing) photos to work on. Macro is a much more controlled environment than other genres of photography, but regardless this type of focus helps me iterate and get better. If you have a goal in mind, even if you take a bad photo, you can try to learn what works and what doesn't and be more intentional next time.

I agree Roman. Sometimes we feel like we always need to be "doing" as creators, but in reality, the "doing" is only good if it comes from a good place.

Rest is one of the most underrated tip ever. Taking your eyes out of photography for a while is so refreshing! I always find my work is better after a lil break 😌

Your analytical capacity and self awareness is impressive and also the way you apply it to your work. That 2024 will become a great year for you!

I guess because photography is just a hobby for me (although ,being retired, I spend a lot of time on it), I don’t find myself analysing my results too much. I’ve never pigeonholed myself, I shoot landscape, seascape, wildlife, street, architecture and woodland so I rarely feel burned out and I’m constantly experimenting. I suppose if I was trying to make a living from it my approach and attitudes would be different. I always have hundreds of photos stored on my computer so if the weather or conditions are against me, I will just immerse myself in editing for a few days. It’s amazing how many images that I’d previously ignored, turn out to be amongst my favourites doing this. Happy new year to you and your viewers.

I've been a snapper for over 30 years, mainly press. I totally agree. We do need time out and changing from the 'norm' gives you that. I am taking time out this week. I am using that time to look at the work of other photographers, for new ideas, a new perspective on life. I must say I have found your input most useful and informative. We all hit that brick wall. But, we must use it to reflect and not just put the camera down and take up the piano! Thank you for your input, much appreciated. Happy New Year.

I didn't even know that there were such cycles in the creative process. This is my second year in photography and I don't even want to get out and take pictures. Same thing happened last year as well. After watching this video I go back to the photos I've taken in the last year, and I can see the phases I've been through. Apparently and hopefully I'm in the resting phase right now. Thank you for the video and very good timing. Happy new year Roman

Great photos you shared in this video. Love them all. Many thanks.

Thx a lot for sharing this! This is so relatable for me and I'll take that cycle into my workflow. Thats kind of the process of growth

Thanks for doing this video, it helped me realize the obvious with my feelings toward my own photos right now. This is naturally a time for reflection as we approach the year's end. I have been in that mindset, trying to go back through my work and collect my favorites of the year, etc, when in reality I am in more of an experimentation / work phase. I was getting a bit bummed thinking some of my recent work was good in composition, but I rushed through editing and wasn't happy with the results. I spent some time this evening, before even watching this, starting over with some photos I had "finished", and was much happier with the results afterward.

That was spot on for me! Thank you!!

Roman, I enjoy your videos so much. Thank you for sharing this. Happy New Year!

Such an awesome breakdown! Thanks for sharing!

Hey Roman, this video was extremely helpful. I love photography but I mainly paint abstract art. What you are describing is exactly what I was going through in the last couple of months. I love panting, I could paint every day. In fact I used to. And I loved it. What followed was as you described it. Your video helps a lot to understand this process and I'm really thankful for this. Love what you create. Take care

This was extremely helpful, thanks for sharing. I'm going through this exactly right now where I haven't liked 95% of the photos I've been taking lately, and feeling like my old work was better. Even wondering if I lost the spark or if I'm just getting worse as a photographer. It's nice to hear that this is a normal thing haha gonna look back at my older work and compare what I liked about that to what I do like with what I'm doing now, time for a change.

Good timing. I think I'm coming out of the rest phase atm and dabbling with some new stuff, seeing what sticks. Kinda reassuring to hear this. Thanks Roman! Good message.

Roman I just want to say how you pretty much got me into photography (although as a hobby for me). I love your videos and your photos are amazing, I was even inspired on getting a fujifilm thanks to you (xt5 with 35mm f2.0) and I absolutely love it! Thanks for your hard work on those videos!

Great video Roman, you have a very wise head on your shoulders.

Happy New Year Roman, looking forward to your work in 24

Good points! From time to time this year, I’ve found that shooting the style of images that have largely helped to shape my career to be a little boring. The feeling comes and goes, but I’ve found that opening myself up to completely new ways of shooting - could be street, could be restricting myself 28mm, etc., has been massively beneficial in helping me move through such phases, and ultimately teach me lessons/techniques that can be applied to my ‘typical’ style. Great vid brother!

Bless you mate, that's lovely content. Happy new year and all the best for 2024 💪💪

One can tell how much experience you have. I find myself doing these same things. Great advice. It’s difficult to stay motivated but I have found experimentation works for me.

I completely feel this - taking time out to analyse my photos - thinking about what is working, what I’m drawn to has been such a valuable step in the process. 👍

Happy New Year Roman. thanks for all the vids in 23.

Try doing, not doing. Look at the spaces between objects. Self imposed constraints. Setting new challenges. These types of things get me going again. Love your work Roman and your willingness to share your adventures. I wish you the very best in the new year. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada

This is a good way of putting it, it’s a cycle. I’m having the same pattern with learning to code. At the moment I’m going through a stage of no interest, not learning and probably need a short break. Also with my camera, I’m travelling and can not find the energy to use the camera, not even take it out with me. Creativity and learning takes energy, time and rest to be able to create more. Thanks for the video, it’s reminded me of this cycle😊

Yep we all end up in this space. I jump between landscape and street but sometime it is not enough. I did my back in so can’t get out at the moment. So planning to set up my printer and start printing again. Another idea I am toying with is to make educational videos for my camera club. One I always want to learn video and I’ll feel like I am giving something back to the club. While learning something new. Coming to the end of the year I get a list in my head where I want to improve & achieve. So 2024 I’m going to add abstract, wildlife and ICM to my list and see how I get on. My biggest issue is Imposter syndrome and I just can’t seem to shake it off. Love taking photo and processing images and photography is where I destress.

Very much appreciate this video in all its simplicity. Makes me think of a quote by Aristotle that the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance. When you talk about the importance of rest and reflection in the process of creation it might be just that one is trying to find. What inward significance does your art have and what is it giving the world. Have a great new year and thanks for all your great advice and experience. Very helpful.

The camera industry would be grateful for this cycle, the unaware photography enthusiast feeling that they must need something NEW to stoke the dwindling flame. Thanks Roman

We just found your channel with the episode with Mark Fearnley, which is excellent! You are a very good speaker, articulate and confident, which adds credence to your content. Glad we found you!

Very good observation as creatives we sometimes find ourselves in a rut were the passion isn't there any more, never thought of it a cycle of experiment, work, rest/reflect before.

Totally true. What I realized is that, Photography, or any creative pursuit is not a race, in that, you start running, and eventually get to a place where you feel, "finished". Because, it is an endless pursuit, change, and embracing all of that is the essence of it. Its a cliche, but, I think it is the journey, not the destination. Because as creators, we have no idea where we will be in distant future, but what we do know is that we will keep walking, keep trying, because it is way of life

Good video, interesting analysis.

Thanks for a good year - see you on the other side!

it’s crazy that you posted this video. Yesterday I was feeling the same way. But I’ve noticed trying to get into social media and trying to improve on the art form is like a dark abyss. You hit the hammer on the nail thank you! I didn’t know if this was common until now.

Thanks for all you quality content. Keep at it! :) (but take rest if needed ;))

Looking forward to your '24.

A reality that took me a while to understand, rest is so important. I told myself that if I rest, I would be going backwards, not progressing because I’m not shooting. This is far from the truth. Great breakdown. Keep up the great work.

I've noticed the same cycle phenomenon with music (the practice of music): work, plateau, rest, breakthrough. Of course, as you mention, is built into any creative pursuit; it's by design and has been that way since the beginning, most fundamentally: work, rest, advance.

Thank you

For me, the experimentation phase never ends and I think it will be a lifelong pursuit. I don't think I will ever really develop a technique and just keep repeating it every time I go out with my camera as that to me just sounds far too boring. The challenge I have for the new year is to introduce deliberate limitations. I already shoot street photography with just one focal length and I will be restricting myself to one small area in the city I live in, to eliminate the burden of having to decide where to go. I have in the past gone to different places but never spent enough time there to really get to know the area and study it thoroughly enough. In the UK we get a wide variation in the weather just within a week sometimes plus seasonal changes and times of the day. I know every trip out I will come back with something different each time.

I didn't even finish the video but had to comment - I absolutely love every single photo from 1:41 to 2:26

Very interesting. I guess I am in an experimenting cycle period, as I try the different focal lengths of my newly acquired 24-105mm zoom lens. Watching your very interesting and meaningful video, I though that I should keep experimenting the same set (subject, focal length, edit...) for a month rather than just a one time try (or even a week). Thank you for the valuable thoughts and happy end of year to to and your loved ones!

Excellent video.

Apparently I am in the resting phase, I didn’t know… Also I just discovered your channel, I am a fan! I have some ideas, which I will try (partly new gear related), so thank you for the insight and inspiration! I have one question, but I will ask in a next video or see if you already made such a video :) Best wishes, Koen

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I feel a lot of us creative people have obsessive personalities, both good and bad. It’s very interesting from a psychological standpoint. Love photography but it can be hard to know when to switch off 😵‍💫😄

Spot on

Great stuff

Clients also get bored with our work. Then we need to find a new audience.

How do you know when it 'clicks' really for you? That is the question. Saying that is an individual problem is only half of the truth.

I love taking photos but I hate editing!

Perfect timing on this video … I get it … ta very much! 📷🙂

Why do we only see the backs of people? Why are people reduced to shadow people?

I have one question. You were talking about a period of time that you were not happy with you photography and in the meantime you were showing us some photos. Are these examples of "bad photography" in your opinion? I am confused because if i could take that kind of shots i would be considered myself as professional :P

just because I moved over to Sony, I will not unsubscribe to your channel. Your channel is too good with lucid and comprehensive content without all the antics others have. BRAVO

@snapsbyfox

5 ай бұрын

haha thanks! Tbh they are amazing cameras

I’ve been through quite a few cycles, now a bonafide cyclist! 😂

What is your method ?

I think I read out saw in a video that it takes 10k photos to get good at something. Do you think that might have had something to do with your success? That would mean that it would start over when you try something new until you get that down really good. I also think it's a good idea to learn different types of photography. Some things that you learn with one type can lend itself to another type. I do mostly landscape but I also do milky way, portraits, a little bit of macro, I've tried sports and wildlife and street. Street photography seems to be the hardest because you're so close to people and things are constantly changing. I'm worried someone might see me and ask why I'm taking their photo. I'm sure one I've done it enough I'll get better.

This is very helpful. Your videos are practical and relatable. 🙏😎👏 I like your work as well. Would be happy to support but have all the presets and guides I need 😅 Patreon?

If you didn't have to worry about the cost of switching systems, would you stay with Fuji or consider which of the brands? Canon/Lumix/Sony

@snapsbyfox

5 ай бұрын

Hmm no idea. I find canon / Panasonic / Sony / Nikon so boring. I’d say leica Q3 despite the lens being too wide for me

What works for me, is removing the job aspect out of it and bringing the fun factor in! What brought you to photography in the first place, was your passion for it! I actually don’t go out and shoot that much, perhaps once a week and maybe less sometimes. When I do go out, I spend at least 4 to 6 hours photographing. Sometimes this includes chatting with different people and other photographers. Nothing worse that stifles creativity for me, is burn out! I think it’s important to not only look at other peoples work, but to look at other forms of art, as that will push your boundaries! I think a lot of photographers get too consumed with product of different cameras and lenses. Even though I shoot with one camera brand, I have all kinds of different lenses, and I mix them up as I go out for the day, as it forces you to change your perspective. Also, going to a different city helps, as the same city year after year becomes a struggle. I think how lucky it is for those who live in Europe, they can travel very easily to a different town. Here in the states, there’s a lot of distance between one city and the next. And unfortunately, some of the woke cities are a struggle to visit anymore, too much ugliness and potential violence keeps you from those cities. Instead of trying so many different cameras and lenses, learn to use the ones you have. I found that there are still some things about my settings and knowledge that keep me from pushing the boundaries. I also like to switch it up from time to time, doing street, and then doing nature or architecture. In the end, make it fun! 🖖😝

@snapsbyfox

5 ай бұрын

Great perspective!

@simon359

5 ай бұрын

@@snapsbyfox It does help the fact that I’m retired! 😜

Roman, you mentioned that you switched from Lightroom to Capture 1. Could you tell me your reasoning? I'm looking for an editing program and haven't yet decided. Thanks.

@snapsbyfox

5 ай бұрын

I forgot to add that I hated it and switched back a few months later. I tried it because everyone was raving about it. But Lightroom is overall way better. I did a blog on it on my website

@rosvw3517

5 ай бұрын

Ha! It's ironic that you should say that. I've also tried Capture 1, but really couldn't get on with it; hence my search for something else. I was leaning toward Lightroom, so I appreciate your reply. Thanks. I'll continue to be an avid watcher of your channel. @@snapsbyfox

@ianforber

5 ай бұрын

@@snapsbyfox Interesting. I’m the opposite. I moved to LR after Apple stopped supporting Aperture. Hated it so moved to Capture One which I much prefer. I suspect it’s just what you’re used to. I didn’t stick with LR long enough to get into a groove with it.

First! :)

Thanks Roman, as a new photographer I appreciate this insite from someone with more experience. Love your work btw. Keep up the effort on all the amazing images you share. Cheers @str33tography