Photographers: Gear Acquisition Probably Won’t Get You Out of Your Creative Rut

As I sit here writing, I find myself stuck in a deep creative rut. I can't quite remember when it began, but it probably started with those nagging whispers in my mind: "You're doing the same thing again, Craig," and "This isn't great work." These thoughts were infrequent at first but soon grew into a full-blown depression. Thankfully, I've been through this before and have learned not to succumb to the darkest thoughts like, "You'll never get out of this one."

It's just a phase. That's what a rut is, right? Your creative flow slows to a trickle, and those few drops of inspiration you do have feel questionable at best. The monotony of the process takes over, leaving you feeling helpless. The joy is gone. Trying to work your way out of it only leads to frustration. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel, and the clichés are piling up to the point where you consider abandoning it all to become a baker.

Then it hits you: maybe a new camera or a new lens is the answer?

Do As I Say, Not As I Do?

I knew it was a trap, but I couldn’t help myself. Boom! A new action cam to improve my street photography in the rain. Boom! A new waterproof camera to replace the action cam when its image quality failed to surpass a 15-year-old smartphone. Despite knowing better, I fell for the trap and indulged in the excitement of new gear, instruction manuals, and YouTube videos reviewing the latest equipment. It was a pleasant distraction, but reality soon set in. I wasn’t any closer to climbing out of my creative rut.

Fellow photographers probably know the feeling. It's like a junkie's high—the thrill of integrating new gear into your workflow. Especially when you see results or realize that the equipment you already owned was likely good enough to do whatever you needed to create a new body of work. That was my realization when I recently wrote "Why You Should Avoid Budget Sports Cams for Street Photography." Why did I even bother with an action cam? My Sony full-frame camera outperforms this piece of junk, and all I really need to do is protect it with a ziplock bag!

So, what's the solution? Well, buying new camera gear probably isn’t the answer. Besides, shouldn’t we base important purchasing decisions on actual needs rather than using them as quick fixes for deeper problems that require our full attention and wit to resolve? Maybe I can save you a few bucks if you do as I say and not as I do. But who am I to stand in the way of a perfect example of desperate and impulsive splurging?

10 Solutions to Help Work Your Way Out of a Creative Rut

I believe I'm writing this more for myself than for you, but maybe we can help each other out. I'm definitely going to try at least one of the things on this list, and I hope to be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later. On that note, one piece of advice could be to take a break and step away for a while. However, that feels like a big step backward to me. I want to confront my rut and actively work on overcoming it. With that in mind, here are 10 potential solutions to help us on our path to recovery.

1. Set Clear Goals

Define specific creative goals and projects. Having a clear purpose can help you make the most of your current equipment. As someone who values intentionality, I believe this is a reasonable place to start if you try just one thing from this list. These new goals could be toward career development or even a creative retreat. Setting a course to a desired outcome will relieve some of the anxiety of sailing through stormy waters.

2. Practice Skill Development

Focus on improving your photography skills through practice and education. Take online courses, read books, or attend workshops that emphasize technique over equipment. If you’re feeling like everything you’re doing is the same, this line of inquiry will likely pay off in the long run.

3. Engage in Creative Challenges

Participate in photography challenges or competitions that encourage creative thinking with the gear you already have. I'm currently doing this by trying to capture epic monsoon pictures here in Mumbai with just my smartphone camera. Hopefully, I'll have something to share soon that not only showcases my work but also helps me break out of my creative rut. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be an official challenge — I’m challenging myself to nab these monsoon images.

4. Revisit Old Work

Review your past photos and identify what you liked about them. This can remind you of your capabilities and inspire new work with your existing equipment. For me, this involved reflecting on the elements of street photography that captivate me—smoke, fire, water, and motion. I know these elements like the back of my hand. What images do I have that capture these qualities? What can I do differently with them?

5. Experiment with Different Genres

Experiment with different types of photography (e.g., macro, portrait, landscape) to find new inspiration without needing new gear. One idea that comes to mind for me is photographing scenes without any people, which goes against my personal motto of "I turn people into art." Will it help? I'm willing to give it a try.

6. Join a Photography Community

Engage with other photographers in forums, social media groups, or local clubs. Sharing ideas and receiving feedback can reignite your passion and provide new perspectives. I recently rejoined an international community that hosts special online Zoom events to bring artists together. I’m hoping this helps me rediscover that creative spark.

7. Focus on Post-Processing

Enhance your editing skills. Sometimes a creative rut can be broken by discovering new ways to process your images. I’m always experimenting with post-processing and I’m already thinking up new things to try.

8. Create a Project Plan

Develop a detailed plan for a photography project, including themes, locations, and subjects. This structured approach can provide direction and purpose. While similar to goal-setting, this focuses on creating a cohesive body of work. My goal is to capture the essence of monsoon season in Mumbai for 2024. I don’t have all the specifics yet, but I know this will be my focus.

9. Mindfulness and Reflection

Practice mindfulness and reflect on why you feel the need for new gear. Understanding the root cause can help address the underlying issues. Admittedly, I already failed at this one! But now, I'm trying to pick up the pieces, backtrack, and find a new path through my creative rut.

10. Find Inspiration in Other Art Forms

Explore other forms of art like painting, music, or literature. Inspiration from different disciplines can bring fresh ideas to your photography. For me, this has meant revisiting poetry. There was a time when I wrote quite a bit and even published a couple of books. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if poetry might have a new place in my photography as well.

Take Your Pick and Run with It

I realize I'm just tossing a few ideas your way. There are usually no quick fixes to creative ruts, including buying new gear. My goal is to refocus myself and hopefully help you if you're experiencing the same struggle. If you're like me, you don't need a lengthy explanation to be convinced to try. When you're flailing as much as I am, you just want to dig in and get over the rut as quickly as possible without falling into unnecessary vices and distractions.

I wish you luck, and please wish me the same!