by Kelly
Well so if you happen to follow me on Flickr, then more than likely you are familiar with my new, old chair.
I will share with you that my husband was not nearly as impressed or excited as I was when I brought it home...“You paid how much for that rickety old chair??”
Anyway, since then I have had the best time setting up little still life shots with it.
So cute right?
And honestly, having this little chair has added an element of whimsy to my photography that had not existed before. Which can I tell you….I LOVE. Because it makes photography fun. Yes…fun. Photography should be fun.
Seems silly that I have to remind myself of that from time to time, but given my tendency to over think things, it’s really no surprise that I can really suck the joy right out of this hobby that I love so much. This little chair reminds me to have fun. Be playful. Don’t take things so seriously.
You've probably noticed…Stephanie, Leigh, Dotti, myself…we've all recently shared thoughts on being stuck in a rut or feeling uninspired by our photography. My hope is that, if you've felt a little uninspired lately, you’ll see that it happens to all of us. Whether you've been taking photos for thirty years or three years. Everyone hits a bump in the road. But the thing is to just keep shooting. Maybe use a different lens. Or buy a new one. Challenge yourself with a project. Or buy an old chair. Whatever you do, just have fun.
We so love hearing from you and would love know what helps you whenever you feel uninspired? And please…keep sharing your beautiful summer time images. They inspire all of us.
Until next time, Kelly
14 comments:
I love your old chair! Each of your "chair" images makes me smile and makes me feel warm and fuzzy. You create the most beautiful vignettes with it! They're nostalgic to me and I love nostalgia! To get out of my rut, I switched to my 50mm lens and began seeking a daily image based on light. I've always know light makes the photo, but this is the first time I've actively looked for the light first!
I have definitely been feeling uninspired lately and just might have to go looking for an old chair:) These photos are fun and fabulous!
Excellent use of twenty bucks and beautiful shots. Old chairs rule!
This is a fabulous chair and you've been getting great shots. I thought I'd found a great old chair a couple of weeks ago ... until I looked at the price: $1800. Needless to say, it doesn't grace my home or my photos. But I'm still looking ...
Incredible find and true words of encouragement. I have hit the 'wall of rut' shame and need to take myself on a photo walk and see what shakes.
I have loved every image you have posted with that old chair (and have had a bit of chair envy!) Having fun and not taking this hobby too seriously keeps the joy alive. It's easy for me to feel uninspired with the heat we have in the summer but yesterday I went back to Butterfly Wonderland and had a few hours of fun shooting those gorgeous creatures. Getting out with my camera, no matter where it is, never ceases to inspire me!
The perfect chair. Your husband sounds exactly like my husband. But hey happy wife happy life right? I went through a right this Spring. Sometimes all it takes is time...or a new on-line class :)
Fabulous $20 spend! Love all your images here, so beautiful, especially those lovely peonies. I hate the ruts but one of the best pieces of advice I heard (via one of Kim's classes) was from Steven Pressfield - just keep showing up and doing the work. It really DOES work, even though you don't always feel like showing up. :)
Love the chair perfect for garden shots it's always good to hear that it's just not me suffering from lack of creativity as Becs quoted keep turning up and it will all come good.....
Your chair is great and you've gotten some great shots. Like so many have mentioned above, keep showing up. Just keep shooting. We all get in those ruts, and sometimes they can last a long time. Shoot shoot shoot, and buying an awesome chair doesn't hurt either!
That old chair is to die for!
What a bargain at $20!!!!!
I just gotta get out more and find me some flea markets :-D
you and your chair! you really oughta start a fan club for it, kelly. ; ) lovely photos as always!
Oh, I had a chair very similar to that I had gotten at a Model home furniture sale, I too had paid $20 for it. Mine was a fairly new chair made to look old, but I was encouraged to sell it in a garage sale when we moved...huge regret! It was a fabulous whitish with blue crackle...I wasn't into photography at the time. Of course I look back now at all the things I wish I hadn't let go, or all the things from my grandma's basement I didn't know I would "need"! I've realized that my inspiration though, usually has something to do with my just showing up! :) Your photos are beautiful!
I LOVE that chair! And I LOVE the photos you've taken with it.....I'm totally inspired to find a chair of my own!
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