very once in a while, I would get this feeling of disinterest regarding my photography and I couldn’t understand where this feeling was coming from.

I started to question myself and why I bothered with the camera at all. It turns out it wasn’t my camera’s fault. It wasn’t mine. It’s something known as photographers’ block.

I mentioned it to a fellow photographer and he said quite simply, “It happens. Find your inspiration again.”

After spending some time surfing the internet looking for my inspiration, I found a 365 project and I started looking at other photographers’ work.

I wondered if anyone would comment on my photos. I wondered if anyone would notice my work. I needed that feedback. I needed to know that what I was capturing was appreciated by others. I quickly signed up and then just as quickly started to panic.

What if no one comments? What if they hate my work? Then this little glimmer of positivity peeked out from all the negativity and I thought, “Well I will grow from that, too.”

By signing up for this project, it meant I made a commitment. A picture a day. How am I ever going to find something that fantastic every day?

I soon found out that every photo didn’t have to be a masterpiece.

Every time I picked up the camera, I was learning about the camera and myself. That was the bigger picture.

Every day I had a prompt; a single word to inspire me. Now, I just had to find that inspiration and interpret the word the best way I could.

For the prompt “warmth” I nervously uploaded my photo of a cup of tea. I was sure no one would even bother to look at my image.

I was amazed at the comments! “I love the pop of color from the tea bag tag!” and “The curl of steam was captured perfectly!”

I would go back and look at my photos and really see what they saw and I realized I had captured something interesting after all!

For the prompt “chore” I was stumped until I noticed the stack of colorful washcloths I had just folded. I was anxious to see the comments.

Amid the comments this one caught my eye: “The washcloths’ colors are great and I like the textures BUT that tag sticking out was a distraction.” Wait. Criticism? What tag? How dare this person criticize my photo? I didn’t have a tag sticking out! And as I looked at the photo again to be sure there was no tag, there was a tag! And it was distracting. Lesson learned. I grew to accept all comments because they would help me grow.

The best piece of advice I was ever given was don’t compare my photography to anyone else’s.

Use their creativity for inspiration and put my own spin on it. Do it better. Do it differently.

Do this thing called photography for me, first. Then show it to the world! I have taken that to heart.

Now I anticipate the comments from others, knowing I can grow from their comments on my work. Because it is my work.

One way I found to break through my photographer’s block was by collaborating with others. This allowed me to tap into their creativity and be inspired by them and to try what others have done.

What’s the worst that will happen? The beauty of the digital age is if I’m not happy with what I shot I can try again.

I did a presentation at a camera club meeting one month on distortion and photography. I mentioned I was distorting my images to a member and she said, “I want to see this!” so I agreed to do the presentation.

Everyone knows a photographer shouldn’t distort their images. Everything has to be crystal clear and tack sharp. Everyone knows this. Right?

Well, not always, because photography should be fun, and I wanted to share the fun I had distorting my images and maybe inspire someone else to do the same.

Becoming a mentor or by teaching someone else something you know about photography is a great way to help them and inspire yourself.

Learning together is always so much better. Guiding someone along the way and seeing things from their perspective will renew your own!

One day I got lost on purpose. I drove up this road I had never been on before and I had no idea if I would find something worth photographing or not. I had not a clue where I was going to end up. I just thought it was worth the chance!

I don’t know what this building was but I imagined all sorts of tales about it. I told myself I wasn’t a landscape photographer and did a great job of convincing myself of it. But I shot this building anyway and posted it on my project. I was amazed at all the comments. Not one negative comment.

I hope it inspired someone to find their own story to tell.

The last thing to inspire some creativity is to borrow or rent a different lens and spend a few days exploring that lens and what it can do. This can be dangerous though, because you just might find out you have to buy that lens.

The Palmerton Camera Club meets typically on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church located at Fifth and Lafayette streets in Palmerton. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

The club also has a Facebook group for more information about the club.