2 weeks ago I went on a photographic journey to Iceland. Even though its only a 3h flight from Copenhagen, I have never been. A shame really, but it is what it is.
All I can say is “what a country!” – I’m still soaking in all the memories, and digesting impressions.
The pictures and writeups will come. In bucket loads! – I frankly don’t know how I have resisted so far. The images are all edited and ready for primetime, but somehow I’m hesitant….
I can’t exactly tell you all why that is. But I have a gut feeling that it’s the “post-adventure-creative-black-hole”. Since returning home, wherever I point my camera, my mind just isn’t processing like it should! – I see limitations, and not possibilities! – I overthink my compositions. I overthink my lighting. I simply overthink! – And in the process I’m killing what is so precious to me and my imagery! – My creativity!
I try to push through. But I’m thinking that for now the best thing for me to do is just to let it take me wherever. – I have a feeling that pushing it, will only worsen it.
Images shot with the X-Pro2
Absolutely know how this feels man. I’m the “victim” of this quite often; sometimes even a fresh location (Be it on vacation or otherwise) doesn’t even get rid of the funk. Sometimes going to the same places I’ve taken thousands of photos is enough for it to disappear! … sometimes the right soundtrack and a few hours walking around on my own do the trick.
All I know is it’s a capricious and temporary phase and that it will go away when it wants to go away. Forcing it doesn’t help, but neither does to let it fester 😉 – Love your work and I can’t wait to see your Iceland photos, buddy.
Yeah. That actually seems to be the best thing for me too. The revisiting of places. Remembering old setups. Trying new different stuff. – Patience is just not one of my strongest traits 😉
Thank you for the pad on the back man! – 😀
Like a famous gestalt therapist (F Perls) once said: “lose your mind and come your senses” … seems like you need to push the ‘creative pause button’… and just wait… wait…wait…(that is a trust thing… ) because photography is all about the senses… especially your photography…
Yeah. But I have a fear of losing touch. But there really is some truth to it.
Last year when I did my 365, I pushed through these periods, and it worked. But this time, the impressions of mother nature in Iceland are too huge 😀
– But I’m quite sure I’ll get back on track. Why wouldn’t I 😉
Thank you so much for the words Koen! – Appreciate it!
oh yeah… and… naming it, is taming it… 😉
Thanks for the post.
My family and me plan to visit Iceland next year and it is a short flight from my native Scotland.
I can’t wait to see the country and meet the people, I have met Icelandic people in Norway and they were so friendly towards me, pointing out many Icelandics have Celtic routes as well as Nordic as many Scots (& Irish settled there).
If you have anymore photos of your trip please share.
Thank you
Hi Jonas,
Great images – thanks! I can’t wait to see your other ones from Iceland.
What in-camera settings did you use (eg. shadow and highlight tones, sharpness, NR, etc.)? I really like what you’ve done.
Thanks again,
Luis
I can totally relate. We were on vacation for two months in Latin America and now back to Europe I feel really uninspired. I feel like the light is not that good. Everything seems so flat. I’m sure it’s not the case, it’s probably just different. But I think it takes time to get used to the new environment and start seeing again. It will pass.
By the way, I love your work.
I can taste the darkness you sense–for I have dined at the same table. Take Hope, your Gift hath not fled nor departed you. It is depicted here cloaked in shadows–and has a heaviness of spirit which you have still found a way to convey. You are standing at a turning point. Embrace the slow running sap so that it warms and again finds free flowing light, textures and forms as your mind awakens from this nap.
well, if your “lack of inspiration” yields these pics I can’t image how cool will be your iceland shots. leave them cooking in your mind for a while, I bet you will come back with something spectacular (as usual)
That first photo looks pretty creative to me 😉
I’ve had the exact same since selling my Hasselblad last year. Shooting film was such an enrichment for me and letting it go changed my mood/feeling. I always tend to keep on shooting but don’t force it. It will pass and I’m sure it’s a common thing among photographers, writers, painters, etcetera.
I think that’s one of the reasons a visit to a foreign country is so good – because majestic or not, *everything* (even road signs, traffic lights, grass, trees, rocks…) is different and fresh, so you SEE it all. Coming back from that to one’s own familiar environment can seem very mundane (I had two trips to India one year and then back to Southern England – felt pretty flat for a while after that!)
The funk, is philosophically speaking, arrogance, but here’s what helps:
Finding beauty is a tad intuitive but we all know the greatest joy is in discovering it all is accidental. That’s the magic. The unknown of it all. And magic doesn’t stop happening all of a sudden because our mood is down.
You will never be able to analyze the unknown to the fullest and rationalizing great angles and great setups is a exercise in futility. And that, the fact that not all depends on you, but on what happens at that split instance to appear in front of you, is, liberating. Are you there to capture it?
All you need to do is bring with is a camera. And a lens or two.
With those fantastic photos, i wish to be as uninspired as you are haha. You are the most influential photographer since i started taking pictures (just 6months ago).
Just having the oportunity to write to you and see your work as you create it is an actual gift.
Thanks for everything and cheers from México.