My photos rarely come out how I want them to (because I don’t take enough pictures), and that puts me off taking any more photos because they all seem ‘bad’ to me. It’s a sort of reinforcing cycle.
I try to take pictures of interesting subjects, in interesting lighting etc., but find myself putting the camera back into the drawer for another 2 months before I pick it up again and go through the same cycle. It’s almost like I’d rather take no pictures than bad pictures.
Is this normal, or am I just insane? I neglected taking my camera on my last trip abroad because of this feeling.
"Resistance with a capital R, … “an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It’s a repelling force. It’s negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work.” - Steve Pressfield
Absolutely normal. What you are doing by keeping it hidden for 2 months is starting the cycle over and reliving the pain. Some people realize almost immediately and others take their time but if you really want to get better you need to move through the pain. Take a deep breath and slow down. Use a tripod. Focus on composition and exposure first, then practice your editing and start developing your look.
It took me years to realize that pictures not coming how I wanted was because I “look” in 4:3 and 1:1 aspect ratios. The wideness of 3:2 makes it hard for me to properly compose an image (especially in event photography) and the self criticism was getting a bit ridiculous. So I took a step back and started writing down what I didn’t like etc.
Just don’t stop, you’ll be ok.