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Often in the past, I've picked up my camera and felt… nothing. The light is great, but the spark of inspiration just wasn't there. It’s a feeling I know many of you share—the pressure to always be creating, to have a unique vision for every scene, can be exhausting. It got me thinking about the nature of creative ruts.
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The Main Frame:

Recently, a member of the TPE Tribe posted:

The response from the Tribe has been excellent. Supportive comments on how to reignite this spark. I thought I'd share my perspective on it.
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In the 30+ years I've been taking photos, I've had times where I've been full of inspiration, and times when I just, well, when I just haven't.
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As a working photographer, I had to 'bash through' to be creative on demand and find ways to rekindle my passion. I usually did this through test shoots in the studio, which were simply framed as technical exercises. Testing out how to create a certain look.
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The main realisation was that I was giving myself permission to fail. It wasn't about being 'creative', which comes with a lot of pressure when you're not feeling inspired. It was about taking photos without a specific goal, except to see if I could recreate a look.
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These shoots were great for me just to get a bit of a reset. However, there is another way of resetting the creative spark.
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​Put. The. Camera. Down.​
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There is nothing wrong with taking a break from shooting photos. This, for most of you, is a hobby. A fun pastime. If you're feeling meh about taking photos or a little bit overwhelmed with trying to create amazing images, just stop.
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There is nothing worse than trying to 'get back up to speed' when you're in an anxious mindset. For the most part in my experience, creativity has come when I'm relaxed.
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Inspiration is a delicate thing - like a butterfly. Snatch at it, and it will fly away. Hold out a calm finger, and just occasionally it'll perch on that finger for a moment.

Inspiring Me This Week:

Henry Wessel
​https://www.sfmoma.org/artist/Henry_Wessel/​
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I'll be honest and say I'm not a big fan of a lot of landscape photography. As stunning as grand scenic views are in real life, for some reason they don't quite do it for me in photos.
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However, I do love the work of photographers like Robert Adams and the New Topographics crowd.. Man-made landscapes, urban sprawl, and especially dry, open, dusty places.The sort of landscape I'd speed through in South Africa on the way to the coast—Miles and miles of dust, rocks and nothing.
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Henry Wessel was part of that group. I love his landscapes. The emptiness. I look at his work and think how if I were trying to rekindly my photography passion, I wouldn't go to a place with grand scenery where I could get easily overawed, worried I would make a mistake or know there would be a better version of my image taken by someone else..No, I'd go to these dry dustry places, park the car. Listen to the wind and take a photo of nothing.
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Over to You:

I used to think that this sort of scenery on those long drives in South Africa wasn't worth photographing. Of course, now I know I was wrong.
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It's here if you're interested: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hWZaVNqdLGZLXmMS9​
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Where is a place you'd go to just 'be' and see if inspiration would land?

Inside the Tribe:

Aside from chatting about rekindling inspiration, we've had the privilege of seeing some wonderful photos by Tribe members this week:
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Remember that photography is meant to be enjoyable. Taking a break just to recharge is O.K.
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Have an awesome Saturday.
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Alex
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P.S
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This very topic of creative burnout is something we’re exploring in-depth inside the TPE Tribe this month. We believe that community is the ultimate antidote to feeling stuck. Instead of just a Discord server, we offer a private, supportive community of passionate photographers to share your work, get constructive feedback, and stay inspired.
If you’re ready to turn a creative rut into a creative breakthrough with a community of like-minded peers, you can learn more here.
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