Are You Feeling Burned Out as a Photographer? Here’s How I Found New Inspiration.
Have you ever been out shooting, only to find yourself staring at your camera screen, feeling like you just can’t capture anything fresh or exciting? It’s as if you’re stuck in a creative rut, snapping what seems like “just pictures.” I know I’ve been there—feeling burned out and uninspired by the very thing I love most. But then something clicked for me, something simple, and it completely reignited my passion for photography.
The answer? It was seeing in a different light.

My Turning Point : A Day at the County Fair:
It all started on a seemingly ordinary day. I decided to visit the local County Fair. Now, if you’re thinking, “Well, that’s not anything new,” you’re absolutely right. There’s nothing groundbreaking about a County Fair. But that’s exactly why I chose it—because it wasn’t new. It was the perfect setting to push myself creatively without the pressure of expectations.
I didn’t go with any big plans in mind. No grand ideas or concepts—just a simple day of shooting for fun. Normally, I’d pack a camera bag with two camera bodies, a selection of lenses, and a bunch of accessories. But this time, I wanted to do something different. I was tired of hauling all that gear around. So, I made a bold decision: I grabbed my smallest camera, the Fujifilm XT20. It’s a little underrated gem, and it’s been one of my favorite travel cameras. I paired it with just one lens: the versatile 18-50mm, plus a cheap, manual-focus Rokinon 12mm lens.

Here’s the kicker—I didn’t want to think too much about settings, apertures, or the usual technical decisions we photographers tend to obsess over. I set the camera to Auto mode (I know, I know—sacrilege, right?). I wanted freedom. I wanted to shoot with no constraints, no self-imposed rules, just pure creative expression. And what better place to do that than a fair? The sights, sounds, and colors were everywhere, just waiting to be captured.

The Power of Post-Processing: A Fresh Perspective
After the fair, I eagerly uploaded the photos to my computer, excited to relive the experience. But, to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. Most of the shots were, well… just okay. There wasn’t anything particularly special about them. But then, I decided to play around with post-processing—nothing drastic, just a few tweaks in light and shadows. And that’s when the magic happened.
I started experimenting with color grading and created a new color profile I called “Candy Color.” It was an unexpected shift, but suddenly, those ordinary fair photos transformed. The dull, everyday shots gained depth, vibrancy, and a whole new life. Colors popped. Details stood out. And I saw something different—something I hadn’t seen before. This simple, playful adjustment in post-processing gave me a completely new perspective on my work. The fair, which I thought would be just another photography exercise, had now become a treasure trove of creative potential.

What I Learned: It’s Not What You See, But How You See It
The lesson here isn’t about using expensive gear or the latest editing software—it’s about seeing the world differently. I didn’t need to capture anything extraordinary; I just needed to look at the ordinary in a new way. Changing the color palette brought fresh energy to something familiar.
For any photographer out there feeling stuck or uninspired, I encourage you to do the same. Go out and shoot, but don’t be afraid to experiment with your post-processing. Try creating your own color profiles, adjust the shadows and highlights, or play with filters. You might just discover that the most common places and subjects can yield extraordinary results when seen through a different lens.
Realize that photography is not just about what’s in front of you—it’s about how you choose to see it. Don’t get bogged down by the “rules” or the pressure to capture something groundbreaking. Instead, allow yourself the freedom to explore, create, and transform the everyday into something magical. Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to reignite your creative spark.

See more of the Fair here

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