I'm taking a break.

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Okay so here's the down-low.

I'm taking a break...

....for a month.

Lately I've been feeling myself growing more and more frustrated with myself...and my work...why is that?

Well, don't exactly know to b perfectly honest.

So at this point it time I'm going to take a wild guess and say that I sorta feel like I'm stuck in a rut.

I'm young and I've learned a lot about what I do these past four years, but I've got a long to go...not that I'll learn it all within a months time...

but at any rate.. I'm taking the month of November off to do devote a few days to thinking..
a few days to taking photographs
a few days to not taking photographs
a few more days to taking even more photographs
and maybe even a few more days to not taking any photographs at all...or heck not even thinking about taking photographs.

Now here are a few questions for you if you have the time to help...(Please be constructive!)

-Have you noticed a change (good or bad) in my work the past few years, months, weeks, or even days?

-What is it about my stream that draws you back to it..if at all?

-Anything you think I need to improve on?

-What would you like to see more of that you're not seeing in my work?

-Looking at my photos - what do you think are my weaknesses?

Please be constructive!

I've got a few ideas up my sleeve...
and a few projects squirming around in my head and I need some time to myself to get some of this all figure out.

So until then - take good care of yourselves flickr friends thanks for taking the time to read this...and I'll be back in a month.

-Joy

p.s. I may or may not be updating here

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Comments

John Troxel Photography & Fine Art says:

Joy, i think why i always look forward to seeing your work, and keep coming back to your stream is in fact because you are CONSISTENT. you have a distinct style, which not many people have. of course i have noticed small changes and maturing in some aspects of your photographs. but overall, they draw the viewer in, and you just can't stop hitting "next". and they never get old to look at, i confess, i have looked at your streams dozens of times. to get ideas, and sometimes...just to relax. and release stress. really, Joy...you make beautiful photographs. honest to goodness, hope to die, stick a needle in my lucid eye.
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Ana Santos says:

I feel completely terrible too. I'm taking complete crap lately, but I can't take a break because of applying for college and making portfolios.

When my 52 week is over, I'll take a month long break, too. =(

Feel better!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Hear The Art says:

Im honestly going to miss your work... Im always anxious to see what you will come up with next.. your work has been trully inspiring to me.. You made that spark in my heart for the love i have for photography... But I understand that as an artist we can get stuck in a rut... I just hope you learn what you want during this break... :)
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Beauty of Grace says:

I see absolutely NO flaw in your photos. you capture everything person, flower, ANYTHING with such uniqueness that i love. your photos are where i get most of my biggest inspirations! i love your editing style as well. i've always wondered what you do to them.
but yeah, your photos are practically flawless!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

james huang photography says:

joy, taking a break and coming back is a really good idea. heck, i took a 4 month break last year and it really is a learning experience. challenge your eye and lay low; you need a breather-- your motto, take a breathe. you've been photographing for so long i am not surprised you have not done this even earlier. i look forward to checking back on you stream after you sort your head.
as always,
we go way back
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Sarah Coate Photography says:

Joy, I think this is going to be really good for you in the long run. I mean no sense in burning yourself out. I have had times where I have needed to just give myself about a month long break from photography (maybe even a little longer) and just try my hand at some other things (i.e. traveling, playing an instrument, meeting new people) and it just feels so much better when I go back to start photographing cause I mean... I know in my heart that that is where my true passion lies.
As for your questions, 1) Yes I have noticed a change and I've noticed that your eye is growing. You have become more creative and can immediately see exactly what you want with the given surroundings. And you know how to get people to understand you. You have an amazing way of communicating what you want in a photograph through other people and that's not something you get overnight. I don't think you could go downhill at the rate you are going. You could only get better. 2) The thing that draws me back is pretty much what I answered in the first question. The way you shoot and what you shoot and how you shoot is an AMAZING inspiration to me. 3) I would like to see more landscape or animals or still life. I mean I ALWAYS enjoy seeing the different kind of people you shoot, but I want to see what else your eye can see.

You are brilliant. And gifted and if you feel you need a break for a while then all the more power to you. You have totally deserved it.
Can't wait till you get back

<3
Sarah
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Elly Uiterwijk says:

it's good you taking a break!
but don't forget... you are talented enough
and we all have a lack of inspiration sometimes
so hope to see you back with some new ideas :-)
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

eighteeeeeeen says:

honestly, you're one of the flickr members i look forward to seeing
what new photos are posted. I've been seeing your photos for the past....3 years :o which i hope you don't find to be creepy at all! haha. It was ever since i came across your myspace years ago and you've gotten much better as time has gone by. :) A break will serve you well. It doesn't seem like you've had much time to relax and time to collect ideas for future photoshoots. I'll try to be as constructive as i can be :) i've always noticed a different vibe from your regular photos compared to your senior photos....it seems more..."posed"? Maybe if you had a different mind set when you take them instead of thinking of them as another senior photoshoot. Don't get me wrong! You take the best senior pictures i've seen, but they don't match the previous work you've done.Your greatest strength is definitely portraits of others/self portraits. Then again i've haven't seen nature photos from you in a long time. My favorites would include:
www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/550065972/

www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/3482356506 /in/set-7215...

www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/1447456217 /in/set-7215...

As far as my "least" favorites would be(still great though!):
www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/2983524880 /in/set-7215...

www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/3060078195 /in/set-7215...

www.flickr.com/photos/breathoflife/2508769032 /in/set-7215...

I hope you don't take any of this as an insult in anyway! You are a great photographer :) Hopefully i helped? Enjoy your break miss!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Breath of Life says:

eighteen- I don't take any of that as an insult. Since you have been following my work for such a long time I assume you've read some of my posts concerning the struggle I've had with such a contrast in my work ( my personal work vs. the work I do for family portraits or senior shoots).

Part of me thinks there will always be a little difference there - I think as artists its hard to not compromise a little of your style when you're trying to serve the needs of the client who has hired you. However It is my goal to try to remain more true to myself, my work, and my style the longer I do this. I think its something I'm going to be working at for awhile and there is a healthy balance somewhere..

thanks for your thoughts :]
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

greyceli says:

you are incredible. that is all i have to say
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

blufyre studios says:

Please don't go, Joy! what will I do for a whole month? who's pics will I leave silly notes on?

When I see "Bokeh" - i will shed a tear - I promise you that...

;)
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Breath of Life says:

Oh Mark, what would I do without your support?

:p
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

viviandang says:

As with eighteen, I've been following your work for quite some time now, almost three years now,
Actually, I just checked and you were the first person I counted as a "friend" when I started my flickr account hah (:
You and your photography have most definitely grown. I feel like it's become much more sophisticated and daring, for a lack of a better word.

I'd really love to see some more self-portraits because for me, those seem so much more personal.

Good Luck, and come back soon ! :D

And honestly, I don't know what draws me to your photos so much, and which is why I think I love it so much. You have a unique way of portraying something; even something as simple as flowers. Whether it be the perspective or the editing or the light or the model; you always seem to create the perfect combination.
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Mackenzie Ashton. says:

i don't think you need to take a break so much from flickr than you do with the idea of shooting for others, and this whole... instant gratification (or thus, yes, still from flickr)
i'll tell you now, for awhile there I started shooting for myself, but then
i started to know what everyone would like, and thus shot/posted things i knew would receive the biggest response.
i've learned, to shoot for myself. its really hard and i have ended up not shooting very much as a result. but much of the work i've done has gone un-published and only shot for school, or myself. i have produced some of my best work to date, according to my teacher and even for some of my own standards.
i think this is the biggest problem on flickr, or the internet.
joy, you are truly skilled and talented and because of what you
have done... you have spawned all these other people that
try to emulate what you do (even myself my god!), so please...
just step away from the idea of shooting for anyone else but you.
and maybe, if you still want REAL constructive criticism, and not just constant praise that doesn't push your boundaries as far as shooting better and better (comments on flickr) you could consider shooting things for galleries and building your portfolio to take to galleries...which are much harder to get in. or take a course. or start a photography class with random people...or challenge yourself...while still getting some input from other peers, and not on the internet.
Its obvious you need a break from flickr... you made a video that announced it. it was a sweet sentiment, but pretty narcissistic if you look at it objectively.
i support this break and i hope that you'll see everything i've said...
shot for yourself and you only. comments are fleeting things.
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Mackenzie Ashton. says:

I understand the video, don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to seem... as if i was looking down on it.
i hope things work out well : D
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Breath of Life says:

No worries, I understood what you really meant :]

thanks
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

eighteeeeeeen says:

I nearly forgot about your posts concerning the struggles. What you just wrote really cleared things up. It's true there will always be a difference from the personal & professional work you may do. Of
course any photographer is looking to impress their clients (it is why
they reached out to you-for you to bring their vision alive -photography speaking) & i do believe you do a good job w/ balancing what they
want to see w/out sacrificing what you want to see. Hmm, reading
what i just typed in isn't making much of any sense? soo my apologies ;) so in short, i agree! haha
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

a message says:

great video!
Posted 2 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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I'm taking a break.

Comments

John Troxel Photography & Fine Art says:

Ana Santos says:

Hear The Art says:

Beauty of Grace says:

james huang photography says:

Sarah Coate Photography says:

Elly Uiterwijk says:

eighteeeeeeen says:

Breath of Life says:

greyceli says:

blufyre studios says:

Breath of Life says:

viviandang says:

Mackenzie Ashton. says:

Mackenzie Ashton. says:

Breath of Life says:

eighteeeeeeen says:

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