Back to photography, since my more recent posts have largely been about my research. Striking the right balance is hard, but I have been trying to take more photos recently.

I’ve been struggling, to be honest. The past year has been more brutal than most for creative blocks, which hasn’t been helped by the fact that I very rarely get out on dedicated photo-missions. But even looking at past photos has failed to inspire me as it usually does.

I feel like I’m running up against a wall that I just can’t break through. Desperately trying to think of ways to do things differently. Searching for something new and interesting to shake up the pattern. It’s all very well being a photographer, but what’s the point if you’re not always pushing forwards, trying to improve?

And then I realised, quite suddenly, something important. Something that I should have realised a long while ago. And maybe I have – and maybe I’ve just forgotten.

Yes – to improve you have to work hard and push your creativity, and try new things.

But sometimes, when you end up frustrated with all of that, there’s only one thing you can do.

And that is to just let it happen.

Go. Take photos. Take photos with no goal in mind other than to take photos. Immerse yourself in the world around you, and just – play.

Try things without thinking too hard about them. Respond to what’s around you, instead of trying to force what’s around you into some pre-determined concept you want to photograph.

It’s extremely relaxing. And it’s also when you start to see properly again, and when the magic starts to happen.

When the light is just right, everything else just drops away, and the photos happen by themselves.