Sigh...

Just a general rant about my inability to do photography at the moment.

Home from Uni for summer and spending all my time working, when I do have time off the weather is rubbish.

Anyone else ever feel like this?

Rant over...

I wouldn't say I get overly frustrated about it but there's certainly times when for whatever reason I just don't seem to get the chance to get out and about with camera.

It seems an age since I've really had the opportunity to do much other than a few snaps and like you say the weather hasn't exactly been kind of the last few weeks. In addition my new computer screen seems to make everything look overly bright and over saturated so not only am I struggling to do much post processing with the shots I have managed to take - I'm also conscious of the fact that I'm not seeing images on YOP as they should be, so giving feedback is a bit difficult too.

I guess I'm old enough and ugly enough to realise that sometimes other responsibilities and priorities govern what I do with my time but circumstances change and opportunities come around again and this goes for photography which like any hobby can leave you feeling a bit despondent at times.

Look on the bright side - at least you're earning some money during the hols and if you're like me, when you do get the chance you'll be more entusiastic and raring to go. In the meantime - why not get some photography mags or look at some books for inspiration and ideas ready for when you're finally able to get out with your camera.

Same here!! the sunny weather always happens when I'm at work, and every weekend it pees down!!

Am just kind of resigned to the fact that I won't get any decent shots until I go to Canada in September now.

I know how you feel - except, it's pretty much always raining here at the moment. I've been trying to satisfy my photography cravings by editing old photos, taking indoor photos (portaits of kids - but they're not as good for not having natural light!)... photos of the ratties...

Really though it's not the same as getting out there and photographing the insects and the birds etc. Still - there will be fine days - I'm hanging onto this hope - and I've a few photography trips coming up too, Glengariff in the middle of August, with PI. Then there is a camera club trip to Killarney, but I don't think I can go Though we are going up to Achill in a couple of months - so it's not all doom and gloom.

xx

I live in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. It rains here about 7 months of the year. That can be very depressing. To make things worse I love to ride my Triumph Rocket III Touring motorcycle. It's no fun cruising or touring in the rain. I'm blessed right now because we're in the middle of summer which is nearly totally dry. So what am I doing? Sitting next to my small air conditioner during a 5 day stretch of record high temperatures over 100 Degrees F.

Wooooa... "Deep thoughts" by Phil!

Seriously; very well said!

Dan, don't mean this rude, but that's working life mate...an employer buys half your waking hours! Doesn't get any better for the next few years, unless you are lucky enough to be rich enough not to work, or you make an active decison not to. I wait for my Saturdays generally, free time on my own. If you realise the ball and chain that work is at an early age like you, maybe you can set yourself some goals early on to manage it in some way. Aim at early retirement, don't be too materialistic, compromise on income to enjoy more free time, buy loads of lottery tickets, be a good diamiond thief! It gets worse when you start having a family etc. It's all about choice and making the best of the situation.

Photography can happen in crappy grey weather, in fact I think it's a bonus for the street photography. I like and grey even lighting, people don't see photographers head down in rain, and not so many contrasty burnt out highlights. You're not dead, you have a whole life ahead, make the most of it! (easier said than done... )

Omg this just reminded me of another dream I had last night!!!!!! (Freaky or what)

I think it must be my frustrations of not being able to photograph anything recently come out basically, there was a 'creature' in the garden, kinda like a double-sized grasshopper or something in a lovely rocky setting, it must have looked special because I told everyone else to go get their cameras - and I went in to get my camera but the battery was flat!

Odd eh?

But yeah, I miss the decent weather as I hate going out in the cold!

Dont get me wrong mate, I'm not naive into thinking life is a bed of roses, I'm 22 next month and I've been employed since I was 16, previous to that I had a paper round for 3 years lol (oh the fun times).

I've just graduated from two years in Bournemouth, during that time I've held down a job as well as studying towards a degree.

As for setting some goals to manage it, that's my who reasoning behind university. People often cast negativity at Uni, but I'm not studying to become an a clone of academia but to sharpen my skills in my chosen vocation.

Often I find myself compromising on income as I have a relationship to maintain as separation during term time means we have some time to make up.

At the end of the day, I'm a sunshine junkie and since starting this thread I've spent some of my hard earned cash on a holiday at the end of august. Hopefully then I can attempt the photography I want to do.

It wasn't meant as you being naive! I didn't say that at all, sorry if it came over that way, I was echoing that people don't have so much free time for various reasons, mainly due to be 'bought' by their job and lifestyle choices.

When I grew up in the 60's and 70's I was being told life would get better and computers and UK oil money, the space age etc. would mean for most people the country would be affluent, we would be working 3 or 4 day weeks and would retire at 50. In fact it isn't like that at all for most people, we are employed on average the longest hours in Europe, the country doesnt have a feeling of wealth and people like you Dan are being told you will retire with a state pension at 67, maybe 70 which is older than your parents generation were told. In fact many people now can't expect to live on a retirement pension so have less leisure time because they may need to work to supplement it. Nor are we driving around in hover cars or holidaying on the moon which for me as a schoolboy many people expected by the year 2000!

There are a few people around who have managed to get themselves into a position where they can enjoy their own leisure time, either through their own hard work, maybe their partner works hard so they don't, maybe they won the lottery, or they prefer to live off the social etc. etc. but the majority are working which includes paying for a significant proportion that all their time is leisure time.

My post was meant as a positive statement on your behalf mate! (besides taking the opportunity to be vocal about me having to work!! ) You are young enough to make a lot of choices. Most jump of us get herded into following the blueprint get a job, find a partner, have kids. Many are happy with that or some turn around in their 40's, 50's and have to break free. All I meant was you are young enough to have choices and some people don't like the established work/life balance and make active choices to tip it in favour of more leisure time by various means.

Appreciate your point was about photography and time but you released some pent up frustration about my lack of time too! Great hobby, we just want to get on with it sometimes! We all have frustrating moments of looking out the window and seeing crappy weather...(except for JR and Moonie!)