Artists are Humans
This will probably end up being a blog about nothing. Or at the very least, not a blog about photography in the sense that I’m used to writing about. There’s been yet another hiatus from getting out and doing photography. Maybe it’s the weather of Germany. Maybe it’s the lack of motivation or inspiration. Maybe it’s because there’s simply no time. There’s not enough time between waking up at 4 am every day, working from 6 am to 7 pm some days, coming home and doing chores, cooking dinner, preparing myself for the cycle to continue again and again. Day after day, the same routine. It’s hard to find a way out and be creative, to find inspiration and purpose in this cycle of monotony. The minuscule about of free time that does exist is spent catching up on sleep and mentally trying to reset and prepare for another arduous week of work.
No one ever talks about that. When it comes to being creative. Nobody talks about the days, weeks, sometimes months of consistent lull and inability to find passion for your craft. I would assume that most people who know of an artist would suspect that person is constantly creating and coming up with new, imaginative ideas. Because that’s what an artist is right? An individual who practices the arts, skilled in a particular medium, someone who’s mind is so innovative and productive that they always create. Unfortunately, I fear that is not the sentiment in my case. Artists are people too and lately I have felt very human in my inability to express myself through my medium of photography.
Photography is a craft that has, and still does, bring me so much joy and fulfillment. It is the thing that has provided hope for me in the darkest of times and something that I enjoy doing immensely. But artists are humans. Even as I sit at my computer typing, I find myself lost and unsure how to express this feeling.
My colleagues often tell me to just “get out there and do it.” I always hear things like “Just get in your car and go.” And while this may be the resolution for some, it isn’t the fix for every problem. It’s disheartening to say but I feel as though I don’t even know the answer to my own problem, or even what the problem is for that matter. There’s beauty in everything in the world; it’s just about how you frame it. But for whatever reason, I can’t seem to find the drive that was there before.
Again, this isn’t my typical blog where I talk about travels and the jubilation found in capturing the perfect photo. As much as I wish I have some new adventure to declare upon the anonymous reader of this blog, I have unfortunately fallen short of expectations. But I’m still hopeful in some regard. Sparks come and go. They are ignited, extinguished, and ignited again. It’s a cycle for sure and I’m hopeful that my cycle and spark will return. The world is such a massive place with so many unique features and qualities that have yet to be captured through the lens of a camera. Photography has and continues to be my source of hope for a better and more beautiful life. Regardless of the obstacles placed in the way and the lows in life, I still hold true the idea of grabbing my cameras, getting away from the tedium and the act of creating unique, exceptional photos is what brings me joy.
Yeah, I’m just rambling at this point. But maybe through the incoherent hacking away on the keyboard as I sit in front of these computer screens, this idea resonates with someone who feels similar to how I, and I’m sure many others in the world feel. We all get stuck in mental ruts and wonder where the light, gleam, and creative ingenuity disappears to and why its abandons us. But this rut shouldn’t be perceived as a sign to abandon our creativity. Artists are humans. What makes us uniquely human is the complexity of our emotions and the ability to express them. Whether through art, speech, photography, song, dance, you name it, we all have a way to express ourselves and how complicated we are.
