I love it when projects reveal themselves like that. The best part is, if we don’t keep moving forward, pushing through the lower periods by still creating, they never would be revealed. Lesson in there! Thanks for sharing 🍻
I think both -the ebb and the flow- have a place in the creative process and are intertwined and depend on each other. Even though if would prefer to be in the flow all the time it is important to pause, breath and reflect.
I agree! The important part is making room for a pause and reflection while in the ebbs. My mistake in the past was trying to push through it and get back to flow as quickly as possible.
I think, you are not the only one making this mistake. We live in a world where productivity and numbers rule which pushes us. Being in the “ebbs” and learning to accept that they are part of the creative process is probably much more difficult to most than “producing” art.
Thanks for the weekly photography read, Kyle. I will share a thought I've heard from someone much smarter than myself that has helped me when the inevitable lull of productivity hits. Use this time to take a step back, observe and organise your workplace and your work. It is often easy to look at just capturing the moment as the most important part of photography, but as with all trades - there's a lot more to it than that. It's best not to dwell, but instead to use that time to catch up on other things, which we like to put off otherwise!
Thanks for sharing Kyle, you're so on point. I’ve found myself in a run of enjoying the process of capturing images more than the images. It's taken me a while to accept this, but now I’m fully embracing the joy of the process and hopefully I find some inspiration in the images when I actually look back at them.
I deeply understand the profound disappointment of not finding motivation in the things we consider most important to ourselves. It happened to me in the past, and when it did, I started to doubt myself because I had invested so much in that particular project to the point of identifying with it. What a big mistake... In reality, it is important to understand that we exist independently of the things we do, and it is often dangerous to pour all our energy into one thing... whether it is work, sports, love etc... To help you understand, I'm a photographer, but I am also many other things, and it is important not to set these things aside because there is the risk of being disappointed when the motivation is lacking, or things do not go as planned (because it is inevitable that things cannot always go well!). This is the most important lesson I have learned from my moments of crisis. Hope this will make you think. Many thanks for your post, I can't wait to see the video on Fomapan 100... I've a mixed relationship with that film :-)
This was an extremely timely piece, Kyle. I'm currently going through a low point in my creative process, and reading this article affirms what I've been starting to realize over the last couple of days. Glad to hear I'm not alone. Keep up the amazing work, the usefulness of which I cannot overstate.
Thanks Kyle, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these pieces. I love the idea of ‘A British Mile’ particularly if it is as good as An American Mile. It has been a great recent favourite of mine btw. Great work!
Good point Kyle! Appreciate the reminder! I think sometimes the ebb and flow of creativity asks you to leave a craft for a time. Sometimes not doing something gives you new inspiration but that isn't always the case I understand. I think it is helpful to not allow those moments of pause to completely pause that creative spirit. Cheers to continuing to foster and nurture that!
My love of photography was born of a love of walking, which for me is an almost meditative state during which I see things around me that one might easily overlook if not in that frame of mind. My camera thus became a natural companion. (I think a lot of us similarly get into “the zone” when we’re out with our gear)
I didn’t have a focus on “projects” until fairly recently- thank you Lock Down walks! - but now that I do I’m pretty grateful for the body of work I’ve aimlessly amassed over a few years. It’s allowed me to sift through and find some big ideas that I can now fine tune and augment into a handful of project themes. It’s actually a great way, personally, to discover a bit more about who I am as a photographer, and I think (hope!) its leading me into new interests in subject matter and approach that can help me stave off those valleys you have spoken about.
…A very long way of saying that this week’s Field Notes really resonated! Thanks for your expertise and insights on the photographer’s journey, I always find them super helpful and encouraging.
I love it when projects reveal themselves like that. The best part is, if we don’t keep moving forward, pushing through the lower periods by still creating, they never would be revealed. Lesson in there! Thanks for sharing 🍻
Indeed. Things are often discovered by doing a lot of work and finding the little gems along the way.
I think both -the ebb and the flow- have a place in the creative process and are intertwined and depend on each other. Even though if would prefer to be in the flow all the time it is important to pause, breath and reflect.
I agree! The important part is making room for a pause and reflection while in the ebbs. My mistake in the past was trying to push through it and get back to flow as quickly as possible.
I think, you are not the only one making this mistake. We live in a world where productivity and numbers rule which pushes us. Being in the “ebbs” and learning to accept that they are part of the creative process is probably much more difficult to most than “producing” art.
Thanks for the weekly photography read, Kyle. I will share a thought I've heard from someone much smarter than myself that has helped me when the inevitable lull of productivity hits. Use this time to take a step back, observe and organise your workplace and your work. It is often easy to look at just capturing the moment as the most important part of photography, but as with all trades - there's a lot more to it than that. It's best not to dwell, but instead to use that time to catch up on other things, which we like to put off otherwise!
That’s a great way to look at it, Jonas. Balance! Something I often lack.
"Understanding and accepting the rhythm doesn’t eliminate the low points but makes it easier to get through them." I couldn't have said it better!
The advice here is great. It may not always be easy, but stick with it! Love it.
Love the message, funny enough I wrote something that touched on the same thing! Great minds :) Love the shot btw
Thanks for sharing Kyle, you're so on point. I’ve found myself in a run of enjoying the process of capturing images more than the images. It's taken me a while to accept this, but now I’m fully embracing the joy of the process and hopefully I find some inspiration in the images when I actually look back at them.
I deeply understand the profound disappointment of not finding motivation in the things we consider most important to ourselves. It happened to me in the past, and when it did, I started to doubt myself because I had invested so much in that particular project to the point of identifying with it. What a big mistake... In reality, it is important to understand that we exist independently of the things we do, and it is often dangerous to pour all our energy into one thing... whether it is work, sports, love etc... To help you understand, I'm a photographer, but I am also many other things, and it is important not to set these things aside because there is the risk of being disappointed when the motivation is lacking, or things do not go as planned (because it is inevitable that things cannot always go well!). This is the most important lesson I have learned from my moments of crisis. Hope this will make you think. Many thanks for your post, I can't wait to see the video on Fomapan 100... I've a mixed relationship with that film :-)
This was an extremely timely piece, Kyle. I'm currently going through a low point in my creative process, and reading this article affirms what I've been starting to realize over the last couple of days. Glad to hear I'm not alone. Keep up the amazing work, the usefulness of which I cannot overstate.
Excellent article and wise words of insight
Great message here! Thanks for this, Kyle.
Cheers, Kendall.
Thanks Kyle, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these pieces. I love the idea of ‘A British Mile’ particularly if it is as good as An American Mile. It has been a great recent favourite of mine btw. Great work!
Thanks, Paul. I’m excited about the idea of it. Still a ways out!
This was a great read! Thank you for the reminder! Looking forward to next Monday for the next one!
Glad you enjoyed, Jake. Cheers.
Definitely a helpful reminder for me right now!
Good point Kyle! Appreciate the reminder! I think sometimes the ebb and flow of creativity asks you to leave a craft for a time. Sometimes not doing something gives you new inspiration but that isn't always the case I understand. I think it is helpful to not allow those moments of pause to completely pause that creative spirit. Cheers to continuing to foster and nurture that!
Absolutely. I’ve had a few long breaks where I was unsure of my direction moving forward. I’m sure there will be more as well.
My love of photography was born of a love of walking, which for me is an almost meditative state during which I see things around me that one might easily overlook if not in that frame of mind. My camera thus became a natural companion. (I think a lot of us similarly get into “the zone” when we’re out with our gear)
I didn’t have a focus on “projects” until fairly recently- thank you Lock Down walks! - but now that I do I’m pretty grateful for the body of work I’ve aimlessly amassed over a few years. It’s allowed me to sift through and find some big ideas that I can now fine tune and augment into a handful of project themes. It’s actually a great way, personally, to discover a bit more about who I am as a photographer, and I think (hope!) its leading me into new interests in subject matter and approach that can help me stave off those valleys you have spoken about.
…A very long way of saying that this week’s Field Notes really resonated! Thanks for your expertise and insights on the photographer’s journey, I always find them super helpful and encouraging.
Oh, and Happy Canada Day, Kyle! 🍁
Really glad to hear that, Bruce. Glad you connected with this one and found it helpful. Thanks for reading. 🙏