Photographers’ Blues

Since the launch of this website I have been busy getting ready for my 2021 calendars. Initially I wasn’t planning on making a calendar this year as I thought I would be too late to start with the process. Many other photographers were promoting their calendars on their social media pages and I got the fear of missing out (FOMO) on having one of my own. So I started to think about the layout and selecting images for each month and decided to go for it.

Some of you here are amongst the first to receive a copy in the last week and the initial  feedback I’ve received has been truly heartwarming. Totally unexpectedly, the first batch quickly sold out and I needed to order a second batch which is scheduled to arrive in the first week of December. So I can soon get them ready for shipping and do a second personal delivery round for those in Fife.

There are still a handful of calendars available here in the shop

Calendar unboxing

But aside from being busy with the calendars, some of you might have noticed that I’ve posted fewer images lately. I’ve struggled to find inspiration and have a lack of energy to go out and take photographs.

Is it because of the short days? The weather? Missing my Dutch friends and family who I last visited when I was back in The Netherlands in the first week of 2020 for a close family bereavement?

With the recent change from Tier 2 to Tier 3 here in Fife, meaning dealing with more restrictions, we are once again more tied to our immediate environment. 

I guess it will all have had an impact.

But what has mainly struck me of late is the pressure I feel to produce as much high quality content as possible and to post it on social media, where I’m spending too much of my time.

Every time I open Instagram, I get overwhelmed by the most beautiful images of the most insanely beautiful locations. Some users upload images on a daily basis or sometimes they even upload multiple amazing images on one day! Day after day. As much as those images inspire me to get out and do the same. That also holds me back somewhat.

When the idea is there to head outside to shoot images I often think what’s the point anyway? Why should I even bother?  I’ll never compete with all the other photographers and be able to create that much content on that level of quality.

Instagram and other social media show me a twisted reality and only shows the things I'm most interested in.
But I should stop judging myself by others’ standards and focus on what’s right for me.

It’s  good to be inspired by other photographers on social media but I shouldn’t use their work as a benchmark for myself. Yes of course it’s lovely to be recognised and to receive feedback on your work, and that does have an addictive effect.

I like to spend time outdoors, to go on a hike and take photographs of the scenery I encounter on my way and edit my photographs later once at home on my computer to see the results I’ve gathered from my trip.

As soon as I’m outside in nature I immediately feel so much better. The fresh wind in my face, the wonderful scents of nature and the experiences I gain during my walk  -  these are all things I won’t find on social media.

Out in the field; my happy space. | The Ochil Hills

So it’s time for me to change my mindset and do more what makes me happy.

As I said  earlier in this blog, I’ve received lots of positive feedback on my work and products. These lovely comments are really helping me with my motivation. 

I also took a lot of inspiration while watching the popular BBC TWO tv program Autumnwatch. Especially going back to Tentsmuir Forest in Fife where I’ve only paid a visit once a couple of months ago. I’m so looking forward to exploring the Forest and the vast beaches once again that this incredible nature reserve has to offer.

I was even inspired by English naturalist, photographer and TV presenter Chris Packham’s choice of outdoor jackets he was wearing during the program. I decided to remove one of the factors that was holding me back from going outside, by investing in some proper outdoor clothing and bought myself a hardshell jacket and a down jacket, that will protect me from the cold, wet and generally miserable (winter) weather conditions we can find here in Scotland. I can’t wait to bring them to the test once they've arrived!

I’m casting off the photographer's blues and setting to work. Getting back outside, taking images and sharing those and my experiences with you. Fortunately our Kingdom has a lot to offer. The news about the possibility of starting with a vaccination a couple of weeks from now gives us new hope for a future where we can think of some sort of normality again. We still have a long way to go but it’s good to see the scientists are making real progress.

Sometimes it’s all too easy to fall into a routine so it’s no bad thing to refocus on what we like to do the most.

If you liked reading this blog and want to leave a comment, or you would like to know any of my personal experiences with gear, whether it’s tech or outdoor clothing, or you simply just have a question for me, please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment down below in the form.

Thank you for reading.

Mario