The more you dig into advice about photography—and really, probably advice about anything—the more you will find conflicting advice. One of these contradictions is how we’re taught to work on or pursue our art.
On the one side, photo-a-day projects are popular—with good reason, too. Photo-a-day projects, or commitments to do something photography-related each day, help us to build good habits. If you commit to a photo-a-day project, you will learn how to create good photographs even when conditions aren’t right or you’re not in the mood. If you commit to reading something about photography every day, you’ll build a habit of constant learning, which will build you an incredible knowledge base you can always rely on.
Whatever we commit to, most of us have probably been told always to do something related to photography. That level of dedication makes us learn, grow, become more creative, and become more adaptable. And there is nothing wrong with any of these things!
On the other hand, sometimes taking a break is a good thing, too. Sometimes, when I recommend photo-a-day projects or create a habit related to photography daily, I hesitate to recommend these things for long stretches, like a year at a time.
Why? Sometimes, you need a couple of weeks or an entire month off. And by off, I mean well and truly off. Put the camera and gear away completely, let Photoshop sit, read something other than photography-related literature, and shelve photography in and of itself for a little while.
Sometimes, taking a break like this can be beneficial. No matter how much we train ourselves with workouts designed to hone our creativity, nonstop creativity is draining on a mental and emotional level.
If you’re like me, after enough time grinding away in the field, you end up feeling like your mind is cluttered with all the ideas you’ve had over the past year and all the projects you’ve been working on. With all of this floating around in the confines of your skull, you need a little time to decompress. Let everything settle and absorb; let all of these stray photographic thoughts you’ve gathered disappear. It’s a lot like creating for yourself a clean mental slate. While cleaning that slate, you’re giving yourself time to recharge your energy. When this house cleaning and recharging process is finished, it is time to jump back into photography.
The truth is that no matter how much we may love something, there will always be times when we need to take breaks from it. Don’t let yourself be pressured into continuing to create just because everyone else says a photo-a-day project will do you good. Pushing yourself past your limits when you feel drained, scattered, or burned out will only make you bitter about your art—the worst possible outcome. When we create, it should be with joy and with passion—and nothing sucks the joy out of something faster than feeling like you have to force yourself to do it.
Now, go and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation through your lens.
