The doldrums. Most shutterbugs hit the creative wall sooner or later, and it can be discouraging. There are many causes for this affliction, but what’s the solution? First of all, relax, you’re not the first to suffer this malady, nor will you be the last. If you can’t bring yourself to pick up the camera, don’t. Take a break from photography for awhile. Don’t even think about picking up the camera. Do something different. The yearning will return. Sometimes, however, you can reawaken the magic of photography by setting assignments for yourself, challenges designed to focus your efforts on specific techniques or subjects. Here are some suggestions:

• • Take only one lens on every shoot—and use a different lens each time
• • Shoot from a different perspective (down low one day, up high the next)
• • Photograph shadows
• • Photograph reflections
• • Look for contrasts
• • Seek out striking textures and patterns
• • Design shoots around themes: Motion, Quiet, Color, etc.
• • Search out subjects that will make good studies in black and white
• • Exploit techniques like bokeh (deliberately leaving areas of an image out of focus)…

That’s just a start. You’ll find a longer list, with examples, in “Are You in the Photographic Doldrums?” Invent exercises for yourself. Shoot different subjects than you normally do. Go wild! Before you know it, the magic will have returned, and you’ll be right as rain.

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So says Outside Contributing Photographer Pat McKay, and it’s easy to see why he’s so enamored of his Canon G-11. Just take a look at some of the shots Pat’s taken with the little camera. But now there’s a new chapter in the G-11 story, illustrated by the first photo below. Here’s how Pat tells the tale:

The composition may not be all that interesting, but I like this picture (Eagle Taking Flight) as much as any other wildlife shot that I’ve ever taken. I spotted the eagle on today’s bike ride while it was preoccupied taking a long drink from a puddle that had formed along a farm lane. I didn’t have my DSLR camera with me, but I did have my trusty Canon G-11, so I decided to see how close I could get to take a shot before the eagle flew away. I got off my bike and began walking ever so slowly toward the eagle, stopping whenever it raised its head and looked in my direction. It reminded me of that old game “red light” that we used to play as kids. Much to my surprise, after about five minutes or so, I got within 30 feet of the eagle when it finally decided that enough was enough and took to flight.

This must be the time of year to spot eagles, I was able to get another nice pic (Eagle on the Wing) last week when I happened upon one that was working a deer carcass. That shot was taken with my Canon 7D and my Tammy 70-300mm lens. Perhaps a “better” image, but I feel like I accomplished a bit more with the stalking shot!

And here it is, “Eagle Taking Flight”:

Eagle Taking Flight

That’s one impressive bird—and an outstanding performance from a point-and-shoot camera, into the bargain. The shot Pat took with his DSLR and Tamron telephoto lens is below. (Right-click on the pictures to open enlargements in new windows.)

Eagle on the Wing

Would Pat have gotten as close to the first eagle if he’d been driving a car instead of riding a bike? I doubt it. And his first trophy shot reminds us that you don’t need the most expensive kit to capture great photos. Good luck plays a role, of course. There’s no substitute for being in right place at the right time. But like a famous man once said, “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” And the rest? Put it down to skill.

Thanks for the reminder, Pat!

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Spring advances and retreats by turns. Here and there, the sagging ramparts of old snowbanks still stand, and a cold front recently passed through, dropped an inch or two of new, wet snow. One bold cyclist didn’t let these small obstacles stop him (or her) from riding, though:

Right-click on the picture to see a larger image in a new window.

We love our bikes, right? And we never tire of looking at them. At least I don’t, and if I’m to judge from what others tell me, I’m not alone. So each Monday I’ll publish a bike-related picture. Most of the time it will be a photo, but don’t be surprised if a few drawings and paintings get added to the mix from time to time. I might even include a sculpture or two. (OK. A photo of a sculpture.) Anything, in short, that evokes the world on two wheels. And don’t be shy. If you have a picture you’d like to share, just email it to me. I’ll do the rest.

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