My first thought was similar to John Ryder’s #3 — “Don’t force it.” However, it must be said that this attitude is a luxury to those of us who do not earn a living from shooting photography.

Still, I think that there must be an acknowledgment that creativity ebbs and flows, which is part of the point of your post, Rich.

What Harley said about working within limits reminds me of a fantastic film I watched recently called “The Five Obstructions” (English title — it’s mostly in Dutch, IIRC). I’ll let those who are interested check it out for themselves, but I’ll say this — for true “limits,” you’ll need an antagonist. Somebody who will really push you to your limits, both limits of comfort and technical/gear limitations, as well.

Which leads me to a final suggestion. Motion pictures. There are films where just about every frame in every scene could be printed and hung on a wall to pleasing effect. “Casablanca” and “Gone With The Wind” come to mind immediately, but also, the films of John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, David Lean, Orson Welles, and more recently, the work of Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Ang Lee.

I’m sure I’m leaving out important names here, but you get the idea.

Also, consider watching a motion picture with the sound off and just study lighting and compositional elements. Use the pause button frequently.

2. Personal assignment – go somewhere (ie. landmark or nearby town) and shoot more that 100 frames.

3. Sometimes I let it go until my mind says it’s time to start again. A “don’t force it” attitude of sorts.

Oddly, my worst months are Nov and Dec every year. I don’t know why.

And, yeah, mood and other things going on in life play a big role. Creativity takes energy. So does dealing with stress, whether good or bad, external or internal. Eat right, exercise right, pray right to help mitigate this.

There is so much photography talent in Utah, and the community here is so great – but then you already know that because you helped start most of it right?