Every Landscape Photographer Feels This From Time To Time 

I’m blown away by the number of people who look at me funny when I stop to listen to the sounds of the birds/woodland. The woodland is at work and we should stop to appreciate the nature around us. Nice Kim, something really calming about your style of video. Mike

I've struggled this week in a similar way - the light was always flat and dark, the compositions weren't there, and very quickly I just wanted to go back home. What I did instead was practice my techniques, like some shallow DOF panoramas on groups of trees, focus stacking cluttered scenes, and taking photos of abstract things like tree bark or lichen. It just convinced me mentally that I hadn't wasted my time and it made me feel better. Often all we see are 'fake' landscape videos where everything is perfect every time and it leads us to believe that landscape photography is easy (or there is something wrong with us!). I feel that most of the time NOT getting a shot is normal, and that most trips out don't yield anything. Thank you for sharing your emotions and feelings with us - it is refreshing to see someone who tells it like it is, with no fake pretences or editing for your ego. It feels more like you are "one of us" than someone trying to preach to us.

It's not the number of images produced Kim, it's about the quality ; that image of the lake, tree & swan is pure quality. 😊

I too love the early mornings watching the sun come, sky colors change and hearing the birds singing and chattering away. I spent some time the other morning talking to a cardinal sitting above me in a tree. I think he thought I'm a little off. The past couple of years I mix up my photo adventures. A few I head to the coast capturing seascapes. Also, I'll send times walking through the woods or in different towns seeking out interesting minimalist images. I sometimes practice specific techniques. The best advice, mix it up and enjoy the challenges and experience.

I have always found you, a down to earth person. Expressing your ture feelings. And it's nice to take stock sometimes, especially as you must of used loads of energy over the past weeks and months with your new adventure. Rest when your body tells you and carry on when the time is right. We are lucky to have you, for inspiration.

The message of this video feels really important. When you go down the rabbit hole and follow a lot of RU-vid creators it's easy to get the idea that there is something wrong with you as a photographer if you're not able to get a portfolio-worthy image every second time you go out. I think it's important for photographers in general and landscape photographers specifically to know that the rate of frustration in this hobby can kill your love of both photography and nature if you think that you're going to build a nice portfolio in six months. My own life as a photographer has become much more enjoyable since I learnt to let my inspiration breathe naturally. Going out in nature is the most important part, photography is a lovely bonus!

join the club Kim ,been there , but you will persevere and find the missing spark

The opening sounds of the dawn choir brings tears! As a fisherman and seeker, many times I have experienced these times. Priceless memories. God Bless from Myrtle Creek, Oregon. 👩‍🦰😎🇺🇸👑🌷🙏

Thank you for the inspiration I have PTSD and wasn't leaving my recliner but I forced myself to get my camera out and go out into the woods. Sometimes not taking a single picture. It's been my refuge

Watching you talking on the bench I’m captivated by the leaning white barked/black-marked tree, the sienna red orange brown (dried ferns?) at its feet, and the spattering of sparkling new sprouting green leaves. Must be a photo (abstract?) in there somehow.

I've had many many times when I've gone out with full kit and every intention of getting some good shots but never even get my camera out of the bag for whatever reason. It's like I just can't 'see' the shots. Then other days I see a shot everywhere I walk. Being in the mood makes a massive difference to my creativity. I also get location paralysis when I can't decide where to go to get the best light and put too much pressure on the day to yield an amazing photo. Most times I work best when walking around and just seeing what I can see, being open to whatever comes up.

I've had more 'lack of mojo' photography days than those special times when I can't wait to get my camera out and create photos. Sometimes low photographic motivation lasts a day or a few days... and other times they dwindle on longer. I'm trying to accept that not every day is going to be a super-productive photography day. I think it's possible a lot of photographers (or anyone for that matter) suffer from 'sensory overload' and for myself, when this happens my brain just wants to shut off from absorbing stuff and relax doing something a little different - in my case reading or papercrafting. Other times, I have the urge to be creative with my camera but everything I attempt to photograph turns out pants - usually because I'm still tired and need to rest my mind from photography for a little longer. And there are also times--like you mention in the video--where changing things up can kick-start our creative mojo again. I'm trying hard to learn to 'go with the flow', accept my limitations, be patient with myself and wait for the creative ebb to flow again.... but it's not easy to lay down something you love for a time - even when you are not 100% in the mood for it.

Love the photo of the swan. Great job, Kim 😊

Loved your swan picture!! Thanks for the inspiration.

So right Kim. Really good swan shot, love the tree! Cheers from Texas.

Great vid. I have other hobbies and I feel the same with them, having no mojo, is just human. It happens to us all, but it's mainly a temporary thing, so this video, reinforces that thought. Thanks Kim

Thank you for sharing the downs as well as the ups, Kim. It's important to realise that lean times happen to all of us. I agree that there often appears to be a pressure (from within?) to 'fix' ourselves when we are in a creative slump but it's often more important to just acknowledge how we feel and sit with the down time until it passes. During these times I often go out into nature without my camera - only to discover that I miss it! That's when I know I'll soon get my photography mojo back.

Thanks for another great video Kim. Now don’t feel so bad about not feeling it at the moment and understand why, thank you.

Thanks for this video Kim. I haven't touched my camera in weeks. Been through a prolonged bad patch so, after watching you, have arranged something quite different this week. I'm excited at the prospect of a new location but also diffident that the creative bit within me can be rejuvenated.

Thank you for your honesty. It's refreshing.

Kim, Something I do that might really help keep your creativity going is this. Force yourself to rotate lenses. In my 65 years of photography, I've collected many lenses. I shoot Pentax and feel lucky to be able to still use lenses from bygone days. Others might attempt to get a couple lenses and do the same thing. You can also tell yourself not to change a zoom lens to another size. It can be the same location but when you have only that different lens, you look at thing in a much more creative style. Keep that style for the entire outing. It really make you think. So don't just use what you feel is the normal equipment, change it up!

Pastoral. Great feelings flow from your videos. I look for them now. Thank you.

Thank you Kim for a lovely video and tips

Thank you for sharing this video! The lack of motivation happens, and then we're at it again, a natural flow of ups and downs, so is life! You took gorgeous photographs! 😍 Happy Sunday!

I struggle often but it's through the pain I carry from a road accident, which often pulls my mood down. I watch others climb hills and mountains, which I can't do. But, I have hot air balloons and special kayaks which give me very different opportunities to be creative. Working with others can push me and recently a commission took me further than I could have imagined. I just need to bite the vloging thing now, I feel I am ready to share.

So you MISSED the MYST... but NOT the alliteration!! WONDERFUL!!

Thank you for sharing your insights to photography, nature and life. It is about enjoying the time and not necessarily the end product. The process might be the reward in and of itself. Love your Zen take on life.

Great as always Kim, great tips. The peace and quiet of going out early, was worth getting up early for. Have a blessed week.

Thank you for your video, always inspiring. I have taken photographs for nearly 50 years and I have had many ups and downs through the years, but always come back to enjoy it.

And you also need to remember that you have ‘extra’ creativity now too with the podcasts and group, your time and energy is being used up in other creative ways other than photography. A whole new venture so hardly surprising you have been feeling this way. I for one am grateful to you for sharing so openly and truthfully. I feel life has become such an expectation upon humans to be like the robots or superhuman superheroes portrayed and projected upon us. We aren’t robots, we can only do what we can do and not give ourselves a hard time. Pushing beyond can be good on some occasions, other times it isn’t so I feel there’s a balance we can achieve and by knowing ourselves, we know when we can ‘push’ ourselves and when doing that is detrimental.

A couple opportunities for photos at 3:32 @ 3:38. The paths through the woods. Also maybe the bench from behind and a little above looking out over the water,maybe with the background super soft. The swans are nice. I actually haven’t picked up the camera for months except for some short videos for my channel. Have a wonderful week Kim.🌲

Lovely video Kim. Certainly food for thought.

Never felt so relaxed watching a vid, very calming. Thank you Kim. 👍😎

Thank you Kim for sharing your struggles with inspiration. I broke my humerus bone at the shoulder before Christmas and, believe it or not, am just now getting full mobility back. I was somewhat sad about not being able to do some of the things I normally do but I am getting back into photography with my macro lens as it is small enough that I can handle it. And everything is in bloom so.....Good pep talk.

great video kim love watching your videos and this really helped me with the issue of feeling like i had lost the inspiration and i have headed out with the camera and and just going to take a simple torch and tripod and head to do some painting with light. something not done in while and see how it turns out, simple and easy but something i have not done in a while. you are right trying something different to get the creative thinking and feeling going .

Sometimes you just have to go and see what happens, definitely going to different locations helps, I’m actually doing the same thing to shoot and film today…new location to get me out of a funk. 🤞🏻📸😎

Thank you for your inspiration and outlook as always.

Wise words Kim. It’s important to take some time out occasionally, or do things differently as you say to refresh the spirit. I’ve recently purchased a few vintage Olympus lenses and have really enjoyed using them. So tactile and using manual focus has slowed me down.

Thanks Kim for sharing your feelings & comments....Yes it's ok to lose the urge some days to go out to photograph....I found that we as humans need more than one passion to stimulate creativity....I play music (piano & guitar) & I go from one to the other when I have that down feeling...learning new songs to sing & play is a great diversion...I also started to learn a new language to stimulate my brain....there are many 'hobby' things that you can try in between your photography..... cheers from Australia 😊❤

Really enjoyed this video Kim. There was a lot more natural feeling as you spoke to us on your adventure. Thank you for this claiming and inspiring video.

Great video. Loved hearing the Swan wings flapping in for his cameo at the end. I really appreciate your honest approach and find the authenticity so refreshing. Thank you ❤

A very interesting video. Photography & psychology all in one. Keep it going.

Thank you for these motivating reflections! I guess one can always get som inspiration out of the lack of inspiration.

Thank you for this! I've been into photography since I was in probably high school. In recent years, I was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. Two craniotomies and different treatments can take their toll. I've also been very inspired and creative this spring to get out there and take photos. Some days, I go out with my camera after work and other days are far more tiring. I started a podcast and it is over of the most rewarding things I do. I love helping people navigate a confusing time in their lives. But nature is my healer. I spend a lot of time outside and also working on my garden. It inspires me to go out and be creative. Some days I can take my camera and get so lost in exploring nature that I might only take a few photos. It can be hard to get out of a creative funk but I know when to rest and get a different lens and look at the world through a different perspective.

This was great again Kim, it's my body that stops me struggling with the recovery process and hoping it will get better as I really miss just even getting out, it's so lovely to watch your videos it helps me mentally (the operation was on my spine and I've had to cancel my holiday to Canada because of it) it was emergency surgery so it was unexpected really thanks for this tutorial 👍❤️

Apart from being a great photographer you' shoot brilliant videos too. Cheers and thanks for the amazing content. ❤❤

Well done video. It was in itself inspiring.

Thank you Kim for the inspirational words.Been there a few times myself. Some days I just go out with my cell phone, leave the Nikon home and just go for a nature walk and breathe. Lovely video and been so enjoying your podcasts.

Hi Kim! I know exactly what you mean about 'just not feeling it!' I had one of those days (I've had numerous to be honest) just the other day. The light was flat, and quite frankly, boring, it was cold,I was cold and I began to wonder why I'd even bothered! But I did take some images, and when I got home they were actually quite nice! Mainly involving swans, strangely enough! 😊😊

Very interesting Kim

Thanks Kim, you really struck a chord with me. I really enjoy your channel and your new blog. I really identified with your back story you shared about getting into photography. Be well

Loved your video Kim.

I think that you put an additional pressure on yourself to churn out good quality pictures every single week as part of your videos, as well as filming the experience of doing it. Kudos to you for doing it so well and keeping it up for so long. You are absolutely on the right track when you suggest trying new locations. I spent a lot of time in South Argyll last year for a project I was working on. It's an area I've never been to before, bar a day trip to Rothesay years ago. And though I say so myself, the pictures that I took are among the best that I have ever shot. There's probably an element of "familiarity breeds contempt" going on, but it is easy to think "been there, seen it, done it, bought the T-shirt" when it comes to shooting in areas you know well. Another thing that can help is to search for pictures of your chosen area on the internet, to see what other photographers (and sometimes even people with their phones) have done. Not necessarily to copy the shot (though I have no issues with doing my own take on someone else's composition, or of anyone else copying mine). But as soon as you see something that gets the cogwheels turning, you start to feel fired up again.

Perfect description of my last week... Need to step outside the old comfort zone this week coming up.

Pretty and talented. 👍👍👍👍

I know the feeling, but it’s a part of life I think? Sometimes when you pull yourself together and get out there, it can lead to some fantastic moments and pictures. But sometimes you can’t get a decent shot, in the most stunning surroundings 😬🫣😁

Wow.

So wonderful! I have days like that... I have been loving my photography, but I have not wanted to do a video for a while. Maybe I should just go out and do it to see what I come up with. BTW: We don't see swan here very often See you next Sunday!

I know exactly how you feel. I haven't been out for month's. Ok thing to do in the garden etc, but it's no excuse really, but don't worry i will be out soon. You have so many new project's on the go, so I'm not surprised that you lost your mojo a bit. Probably because you are working too hard. Anyway take care and look after yourself.

I believe that in God’s design for mankind, rest was an important component. I don’t think we acknowledge that enough as we frantically go about our days. It is often in times of rest that I find creative inspiration. Quietly sitting or walking through the woods, as you were, will often cause me to ‘see’ something differently and I end up wanting to photograph it often in a new or different way. Thanks for sharing.

Don't just talk about it Kim take the Swan

Photography is no different to life in general. We have our good and down periods. If we live in the moment and don’t beat ourselves up about it then the desire will return.

An encouraging video, Kim. I like videos like this which help me keep a reasonable perspective. Thank you. Are you familiar with Ben Long's book, The Practicing Photographer? It is a collection of essays which cover some of these things common to all photographers. Thanks for including this type of video with your other offerings. Cheers.

Control what you can. Make the best of what you have. You might be able to put yourself outside Dunnottar Castle, but you have no control over the weather, the crowds, the wildlife. If you apply your skills, and try something different, you should be able to get some good photos, perhaps good enough to treat yourself at The Bay Fish and Chips. Whether you have blue skies or solid grey overcast, there will be something worth photographing.

Love your work, and you up lift me. I would like to meet you one day on one of your courses lovely the way you are onnest

You maybe need another photographic outlet ? I do a lot of sports and wildlife photography. I take photos for a local ladies field hockey club. I do it for free as I just enjoy taking the photos. After every game I give them a link to the Google Photo album where I post them, also giving a link to the opposition captain. It is enough reward for me when they say thank you for the great photos. Wildlife photography brings it's own rewards and frustrations.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on overcoming the "photography block" syndrome. I can see how your approach might help to recover the motivational "spark" when confronted with an environment that is different from what you normally experience. Curiously, I tend to go the other way: I go back to a familiar place where I've been comfortable before, that I find welcoming rather than challenging. That takes away the distraction of seeking suitable spots and experimenting with new settings and allows me to focus on simply enjoying the experience of being there, observing the location and noticing scenes that I've missed before. Somehow this helps me get underway again. I guess everyone is different, and different triggers may be needed depending on the underlying reason for having lost the motivation to shoot.

Grate video again Kim. I see you have the (Ελληνικό- Greek) "Μέτρον" (Metron). It seems you live your photography life choosing the mean and you avoid the extremes on either side, as much as possible. Thanks. By the way, you've missed the duck on 4.25...

going off-piste a little but loving the bag, have you got a link? love your videos 👍

Hello ma'am, I love your pictures of footprint on Send at beach it was simple yet beautiful and was telling a story. I want to learn how to create such Photographys aswell do you have any tips for me, ma'am😇😊

💜👍💜👍

You = gorgeous

My tip is to simplify with a small camera and prime lens - no tripod or big backpack, just go for a walk and document what you see that catches your eye along the way. Even if I delete all the images later it doesn’t matter, but mostly I find a keeper in there. Ricoh gr3, Sony RX100, Canon G7x, Fuji XF10 all fit the bill nicely 🙂

what is yours camera bacpack brand?

Being close to nature just might be experiencing something of God's creation . . . I do tend to prefer less flat light , in the main but each day is special . Take it as it comes ...