Burned out

[Pat]

Some I like, others just...

I think Steinheimer referred to them as “…good ideas that fell on their ass.” Something to that effect anyway but he had boxes of them. In my opinion Phillip Hastings was better at using the classic rules of photography, made some great stuff and is still being published 60 years later. Steinheimer’s willingness to take a risk and do something different was what made him a great photographer. Look through his photos and you’ll see a wide use of harsh contrast, back lighting and shots from the shadow side. All things that would make RP cringe but he used them to capture an emotion you don’t get sticking to the strict “rules” of photography. He wasn’t born knowing how to do it. He learned.

The burnt out feeling can be a calling to do something different. Try using the train or railroad in general to capture something other than just trains. Speed, weather extremes, isolation, distance for example. The environmental portrait vs. a simple portrait.

As for the internet peanuts, if they can’t form an articulate response and hold an intelligent discussion, are they worth paying attention to?

 

[April]

I have several interests that keep me going...one of which is my music.

I can spend hours just mucking around with my hardware synths or guitars and who knows what all else...being a bit of a

..helps as well here... As for burn out..meh..I just go with the flow as it were...if something else intrigues me I just go off and do that until I feel that I can come back to this one.

Here is my new distraction.

A gift from my Aunt...

1971 Harmony H82G electric hollowbody

View attachment 117150

Gotta love the tacky 70's era avocado green finish.

April

 

[Graham Line]

Pat's response is something that has worked for me. Trying to work through a specific project is stimulating and can recharge the batteries.

 

[Railgeek]

I've had on and offs with railfanning. Recently it's been an "on" thing with learning videography. But being at school, I can't get out much to shoot trains.

 

[Jon Bentz]

That's a great guitar April - I used to have a refrigerator that would match the color. Anyhow - this has been an interesting discussion. I think the one thing that comes through is that we all run hot and cold on interests. I haven't been out photographing trains much at all - there's just not a lot of variety around here. Almost BNSF every train has 'Pumkin' leading and the UP is just not my 'fav RR. Something about dirty/weather worn American flag decals that turns me off. I've been into British steam lately - very cool stuff once you get used to buffers and screw couplings ( I still can't understand why they never adopted automatic couplers there ). I also flip around between aircraft and trains and astronomy. Probably too many interests - I guess I'm just fickle.

 

[April]

That's a great guitar April - I used to have a refrigerator that would match the color. Anyhow - this has been an interesting discussion. I think the one thing that comes through is that we all run hot and cold on interests. I haven't been out photographing trains much at all - there's just not a lot of variety around here. Almost BNSF every train has 'Pumkin' leading and the UP is just not my 'fav RR. Something about dirty/weather worn American flag decals that turns me off. I've been into British steam lately - very cool stuff once you get used to buffers and screw couplings ( I still can't understand why they never adopted automatic couplers there ). I also flip around between aircraft and trains and astronomy. Probably too many interests - I guess I'm just fickle.

Maybe that's it. There is not much variety here. BNSF is the big thing where I live and Union Pacific has a main line is less that 20 miles away. Plus I'm still involved with the local furry fandom group (yes, there are enough in my area to have a organized group) Anyway, I'm sure my interest in that will ebb at some point. Hopefully enough to get trackside again.

April

 

[funnelfan]

You didn't say where you lived, so I can't make any suggestions. Bu class 1 railroads are boring right now, and you'd be better of photographing shortlines and tourist operations.

 

[blownoutcylinder]

Here is my new distraction.

A gift from my Aunt...

1971 Harmony H82G electric hollowbody

View attachment 117150

Gotta love the tacky 70's era avocado green finish.

April

I love that look!! Mind...I have one of these things...and a mess of cables and wires and patch cords...like I said...

 

[shekky]

i went on a trip in late september but this has been my new distraction for now...

it does not help that san francisco is not that much of a railroad town.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

I don't suffer from burnout, but sometimes I get bummed when I have a day with very few trains. I have a car project I can fall back on if I do

 

[April]

I love that look!! Mind...I have one of these things...and a mess of cables and wires and patch cords...like I said...

Nice gear.



April

 

[CSXYM]

Do you happen to have the matching kitchen canisters? I preferred the "Harvest Gold" myself...being a Yardmaster, it NEVER gets old, I may look burned out at times (a couple of 16-hour shifts back-to-back), but if you ask the people I work with, I will always be here, They don't think I will retire when it's time and if I ever won the lottery, I would still come to work because this is what I love to do...might buy some new wheels.

Don't worry April, your burn-out phase will pass. Hey, just wait until you see the new logos coming out...