Feeling Burnt-Out With Photography

[@BryanBirks]

Definitely needed to hear all of this right now as I'm going through a little creativity block and not being particularly happy with my work. Good stuff Kyle. Keep shooting and making videos!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks man. We all definitely experience the same motions. Good to chat about it every now and then.

[@Shmyrk]

If it makes you feel better, I had one of your pictures as my iPad background for at least 6 months :D

[@michelkekule]

dude, you're making a good job! Take a break, step back from your work and just do some other things. just living the daily life brings back a lot of new ideas and creativity. and pls don't make the mistake of making your work dependent on the reaction in social media. these are just algorithms

[@mattdayphoto]

Inspiring, entertaining, and beautiful production all around. No surprise there. Loved this message and vlog format, man.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching, dude! 🤛

[@JoshPricePlus]

We've all been there Kyle.. you know, I think it's important not to underestimate how hard it can be to find a creative flow in a new environment. A lot of your work that I've seen on this channel before is of a genre that's hard to imitate in the UK. We just don't have the same kind of abandoned buildings and cars that are so fun to shoot in the US.. and if you've been in one creative mindset, once the novelty of a new area wears off, it can take a while to switch into a new style of work that's influenced by the new environment. Take your time. Shoot subjects far removed from your comfort zone and look for new locations that inspire you, even if they are very different from what you've enjoyed shooting before. Can't wait to see what you create!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Josh. I appreciate that. I am really looking forward to the new landscape here, and the new challenge. It’ll be nice to get out and explore the country a little bit more in the near future!

[@behindeachfilmgrain]

As a graphic designer I completely understand what you are going through! It’s why I’m so passionate about photography as another avenue to rejuvenate and stimulate my designs process. Nice to see you enjoy exploring your surroundings!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, always nice to have another creative outlet. For me, that’s often video.

[@robinleevel6591]

always refreshing to hear other creatives speak openly about the honesty of the process. What I find beautiful about the creative flow is to fully accept it when it is here, but also when it is not here and we get to be reminded that we have to allow new space to tap into that creative stream again. thanks for sharing buddy!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching, Robin. Always great to relate with other creatives about stuff like this.

[@danielmilz]

Really good to hear your advice. Its a topic i feel a lot of creatives dont talk about often enough. I am in my early twenties now and still try to figure a lot of things out. Never beeing 100% satisfied with my work and not knowing what all of this will bring in the end might be just a big part of the creative journey. Thats what i beginn to accept right now. This video definitely helped, Thank you !

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you found this helpful, Daniel.

[@49sixteen]

I know this is an older video but I needed to hear this. Thank you for posting this one. It has really helped my current struggle.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you connected with this one.

[@dreamarchist]

And another video which shows why I love your content: it's relaxing but also inspiring or let's say encouraging as I recently have negative thoughts on my own (photographic) work. So a video like this and your down to earth style is pure gold. Thank you, Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that Andy. While these types of videos usually aren’t as popular as the tech ones, I love making them and think they’re super important.

[@dreamarchist]

@@KyleMcDougall To be honest I think as a viewer you can feel how much this topic matter to you. Sure, the tech videos are great as well, no question about that, but I also think that sharing thoughts and ideas is something we all should never underestimate: It's not just creating new ideas by sharing thoughts but also some kind of hmmm... let's say "help". I mean it shows that one is never alone with having problems here or there. It's the support of each other no matter how direct or indirect it is. So yes, it is definitely super important! ;)

[@MurrayLivingston]

Inspiring stuff Kyle, love the emotional intimacy & openness. This is local to me, so cool to see how another photographer can get so excited by something that might not catch my eye... 👍🏻

[@MurrayLivingston]

P.s. it might be worth revisiting in the winter before the nettles come back up. You’ll have much better access, albeit they won’t look as overgrown.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Murray! Glad you enjoyed this one. And good point, I’ll have to get back out there soon!

[@MurrayLivingston]

@@KyleMcDougall If you're in the area give me a shout, would love to shoot some film with you! Had a thought that the pill boxes might look cool in a zine paired with the little timber structures you find across English woodlands... sort of an uncanny juxtaposition between what looks like a child's treehouse and what certainly is not, toying with our notion of memory & playfulness. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Late night musings

[@sylvaingarel4753]

When the topic is creative burn out and the video itself burst with fresness. Thanks for taking us on that nice walk with you. Cheers from France.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you for watching!

[@Bonsees]

Distinguishing between "taking a break" and "avoiding doing the work" - too real 😂. Those pill boxes are so spooky, I like it

[@KyleMcDougall]

That’s one I struggle with all the time!

[@mattl347]

Another great video Kyle. Honest and truthful, it resonates with every photographer. Thanks for putting it together. Really enjoyed this one. Cheers

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Matt. Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@MadisonBPhotography]

Taking a break often feels like your standing still but actually it’s one of the best things you can do to move forward. Great, honest video ✨

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Madison. :)

[@willmccleland2383]

Really good advice! and reassuring to hear I’m not the only one that can feel like this….. Especially when social media makes me feel as though I’m the only one not making good content or enough of it. Thanks for the video Kyle your videos always offers an insite and helps me reflect upon things

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Will. Glad to hear you connected with this one!

[@quercus21]

It’s so true, sometimes you have to just down tools and head out with no preconceived expectations. Loved the video, and seeing your first reactions to the pill boxes was quality and added a touch of nostalgia as these things are found all over the country.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Stuart! Yeah, I forget these pillboxes are probably common for you brits. For a Canadian, they’re super fascinating!

[@DanJFly]

Your timing sometimes is impeccable, I was talking to a friend earlier about how I've lost the spirit of shooting this last couple of weeks, definitely that burnt out feeling. This video though has instantly improved my look to the future. This is a break that was needed, a refresh that my mind has been waiting for and needing. After listening to episode three of your podcast this week to I've really started to think about projects, and next year the possibility of a photo book, hopefully. Great inspiration video Kyle and looking forward to future content. 👍

[@KyleMcDougall]

That’s awesome Dan! Happy to hear you connected with this one.

[@stevenbridgland3727]

Another great video. This is a terrific channel. As a now long-time US-based Brit its interesting to see someone from close to these shores in my homeland, tooling around.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Steven. Looking forward to exploring this country more!

[@lamannafoto]

Yup... Just part of the gig. Happy that you're sharing it with us. Sometimes we forget that it's common to all creatives, and therefore not something we should struggle through. But, rather, recognize it for what it is, and chill. Looking forward to more of your UK travels/work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! Looking forward to exploring this country more.

[@morepork281]

From personal experience...... Just to reiterate one huge tip that you touched on. When inspiration seems lost or you're just generally feeling creatively fatigued it's so important to keep making images. I learnt this the hard way, I'd go days and even weeks sometimes without being able to bring myself to fire the shutter just to make an "ok" image, big mistake. Accepting that not every photograph will be sensational and many won't even be keepers is vital. Its the process of continuing to see, even the mundane that gets you through the other side.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, great advice, been there as well, Jason. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheCaptainWalter]

Great message Kyle. Nice touch with the history tour as well.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Paul. 🙏

[@TheMortzCanberra]

I really battle with believing my work sucks no matter what I do, then that thought process gets magnified by the constant battle against the algorithms... Currently been on a 1-2 month break and struggling to take photos

[@tomomori1000]

Used to live in the UK a while ago. Forgot how beautiful the summer in the south of England is. I recently discovered your channel and have been appreciating your high quality videos - but also totally understand about the burnout. Please take your time and do what feels right. Looking forward to new videos and photographs you will make in the UK.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching!

[@urfriendlukas]

Really needed to hear this today, as always top notch work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you could relate, Lukas.

[@philsmith2193]

Great video Kyle. Appreciate the honesty.

[@andyflack7940]

Great video Kyle and I know the feeling but as you say going with the flow is the best way out. Your video reminded me of my childhood when we would ride out on our bikes to a pillbox on the edge of some woods. I saw one recently on the coast near Aberdeen turned on its side due to the shifting sands. Around 28,000 pillboxes were constructed in readiness for a German invasion; thankfully they were never required. If you want to soak up some UK culture watch Dads Army. Made in the 70s, somehow it’s stood the test of time (in its own way) and tells the story of the home guard of WW2.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Andy. Funny enough, just heard about Dad's Army the other day. Can't remember where, but someone had mentioned it.

[@michelkekule]

Thanks Kyle, I'm a fan of your channel, I feel like everything about this is honest. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. If you're interested in all these old historical sites, europe will be great for you. welcome & stay save.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Michel. I appreciate that. 🙏

[@scottconklin3241]

For me, it helps also being a painter. Being able to create my own shapes, color, and composition, and finding images in my imagination rather than what’s in front of me. And to echo others, just STOP carrying the camera and enjoy the world. Oh yes, and realizing 90 percent of what we make is bad, and stop putting pressure on yourself to make everything great. Nice video.

[@owainshaw]

My dad (lifelong farmer) worked a field in Somerset, and there was a pill box down in one corner - he actually ended up using it as a shed for his farm tools. Never locked anything up but since very few people knew it was there (and it wasn't designed to be obvious), and if you don't advertise that there's stuff in there nobody would think there was anything, nothing ever went missing. No Ford in there but you might have found a rotavator. Enjoyed the video - always good to get some healthy advice for dealing with the (almost) inevitable burnout moments.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Owain. Definitely could see farmers using these for storage. Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@owainshaw]

@@KyleMcDougall Free shed as far as my dad was concerned, I think. I have a picture somewhere in my archives from when I took the camera down one morning when I was helping with the potato harvest. Creative burnout is something I'm trying to stave off at the moment. I'm making pictures but, naturally really given the restrictions in place currently and even moreso over the past couple of months, it isn't really the work I'd like to be creating in an ideal (or even normal) world. Trying to just keep creating without pressure but that's easier said than done sometimes.

[@MacPhotoGuy79]

This was a really cool video! I’m from American, and like Canada, we really haven’t been touched too much by war. Yes the French & Indian War, the Revolution, the War of 1812, & then the Civil War, but not really much since. So we too do not have left over shrines such as pillboxes to explore. I really enjoyed your search, and the advice on being burnt out. I’ve been that way for several years now. A combination of health issues, unemployment, financial troubles, lack of motivation& creativity, and then COVID on top of it all. Hearing your words was inspiring, thank you for them! I’m hoping to get into medium format film photography this year with a Bronica ETR Si I’ll hopefully be getting soon after trading some 35mm gear. Im using your videos for info on 120 film stocks I’d like to try, and just inspiration in general! I was curious, did you ever go back & find the pillbox with the old Ford in it??

[@BraeHunziker]

“We’re all gonna create crappy work.” True that haha! Thanks for the vid Kyle! Really great advice.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Brae!

[@StephenMcFadden]

More videos like this. This was great. There's enough technical camera review vlogs and videos out there. Keep up the great work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Stephen. Definitely more like this to come.

[@BryanDorr]

You're spot on about the burnout. Sometimes it's best to kick back and enjoy.

[@arty2917]

Congrats on 30k, Kyle. Thanks for the hard work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Ariston.

[@allendrexel7622]

Great vid, Kyle. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and insights into creative burnout. Be well!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Allen. I appreciate that!

[@sarahdippity]

Kyle ... these pillboxes look eerily haunted. I admire your bravery when you went into one. Thanks for another interesting photo vlog, Kyle. I didn't know anything about pillboxes until I watch your vlog! Btw, love your podcast! I've listened to them a few times already!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Sarah! Glad you’re enjoying the podcast.

[@oscarsantanaomist2090]

This is a great thing to see, thanks to share this part of ur proses make me feel like proper creative person again. Thanks bro

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching. 🙏

[@thomascohen1548]

Love your content Kyle ! Always good to take a fresh view. Keep shooting. ;)

[@irishmanlost]

The one with the car dials on top was probably the car one. I've seen a few of these too, they are impressive hiding in the undergrowth. As for burnout, even getting out a clicking the shutter can help relax and recharge my mind for production, even if i dont use any of the images.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, I think you may be right. Should have taken a closer look!

[@panelsandbars]

Great video, as always. And timely too. I’ve been down on my own work recently so this was nice to see (& hear).

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you could relate. 🙂

[@patmcdonnell7784]

Dig the blog style approach, and such wise words everyone needs to hear. Thank you. Curious what camera are you blogging with? it seems so smooth, and is nimble enough to make your video so fluid with your amblings thru the brush. Keep up the great work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Pat! I’m using the Panasonic GH5. The stabilization on it is quite impressive.

[@patmcdonnell7784]

@@KyleMcDougall ah I just got one my self at new years, are you using your sigma lens? I love mine. I'm in the middle of shooting a few youtube videos as well. I love it. Its so cool you're going to be shooting in England now.

[@photog1529]

Cool tee shirt. My problem isn't burnout...lately, its been apathy and laziness. Eventually, it'll pass...hopefully. :)

[@petershaw2797]

Green simple and relaxing It's an antidote to the hard push you make for perfection ...

[@lukeparkour3712]

Peaceful and so calming, love it

[@ajc1482]

If I'm right that was a Muntjac deer 😅, thank you for the vlog mate. I'm struggling tight now to the point I've sold all my gear just to force myself to rest. I'm a wildlife photographer but the stress of making images has started to stop me from enjoying being outdoors.

[@donovanchin]

Another great video Kyle. BTW where did you get that t-shirt. Love it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Donovan. I made this shirt.

[@donovanchin]

Nicely done @@KyleMcDougall

[@filipradic5065]

1:07 That is Bernie. He just recieved a message that his film is developed and ready for him to pick it up in his favourite lab :)

[@KyleMcDougall]

😂

[@BenRipleyPhoto]

Hey Kyle love this. Late catching up with my watch later list but there you go. Hadn’t realised you’d moved over here. Welcome and I hope you’re doing ok. I live in Wiltshire and find tons of these pillboxes when I’m out on my bike and I’m in the process of making a photo series or project out of them. Which county were these ones you visited? Thanks again, Ben

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Ben. These were in Berkshire. Near Reading to be exact.

[@BenRipleyPhoto]

Kyle McDougall thanks - will have to look those up. 🙏

[@ItsThreezy]

Thank you man. I can completely relate and I think I’m in one rn. Thank you for making this

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching!

[@azzalos]

What a wonderful message! Thank you!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@rossco171]

I think you’re just echoing what all of us photographers think and go through a lot of the time, such is the woe of the creative mind. Btw, that old Porsche was begging to be photographed 😉

[@filmdigitalvideos]

I'd definitely be using that bike for the rest of the trip !!

[@JamesDaviesPhotography]

Really nice video Kyle, let me know if you need any tips on where to visit in Kent. I think you would find Dungeness very interesting, it’s actually classed as Britain’s only desert and has many run down features + a desolate feel.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks James. Been eyeballing that area and definitely plan on getting out there to explore.

[@psycomantis95]

Just loved this video. Made me feel so positive.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Happy to hear that, Michael!

[@runninblue9415]

Interesting thanks 👍 personally I've found the last 8 weeks a creative break. Just work/ sleep/ repeat. Being allowed back into town with my x100f is like a new lease of life. Can't stop taking great pictures atm 😁

[@KyleMcDougall]

For sure. That last couple of months have certainly been a change. Looking forward to getting out more in the future.

[@williamkung9863]

Creativity sometimes appear when you to take a break. good to see some different contents!

[@madeleineprevost5179]

Tu ne nous demenagg

[@madeleineprevost5179]

Tu ne nous laisseas pas.

[@tompoynton]

Just coming out of an almost 9 month rut, can sympathise. Couldn’t even look at my cameras let alone pick one up

[@theoldcameraguy]

Many wise words here... “It’s OK to take a break”

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks. 🙏

[@bigmuffy]

great video kyle! I love that in addition to camera and equipment you talk about these topics :) by the way, what camera do you use to record the video? that exteriors look great !!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed. Panasonic GH5 for this.

[@Ry_Gordon]

Appreciate this video! Subconsciously been going through this exact thing!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you could relate.

[@stephenblack323]

GHQ Line may not have the legendary status of Route 66, Kyle, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into the mind of the British in 1940. I look forward to your take on it!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Stephen. Definitely fascinates me!

[@SamsonArnettRoughley]

great to hear what you had to say about this :) there are a couple pillboxes near me in sussex

[@jnrickards]

Say hi to England for me, glad to see you've made your home there

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Julian.

Really enjoyed this video Kyle, I feel so identified!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Alejandro!

[@DancesWithCranes]

I used to live a Japanese city that had relics left from the Russo-Japan war. Anti-naval canon forts on mountains and an ammunition factory. Very interesting stuff.

[@sonygoup]

B roll on point

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@diordrama]

I worked 20 hours days, 7 days a week for several years and I burned out bad. 15 years of hard core work and at least a decade of those at crazy long hours and I had an very successful and creative career that has grind to a complete halt with the pandemic. The hard stop with the pandemic really messed me up, I had no idea how exhausted I was. It's 8 months in and I'm still creatively very flat and exhausted. It's very worrying! I miss taking pictures. I still take a lot day to day but project work is something else and I'm very fuzzy on what I want to do when I've usually been very driven and known what I want. I'm just totally blocked and don't have the endless motivation that I used to have. This pandemic has really screwed things up and what savings I had for personal work is being wasted on living costs. I have no idea why i'm typing this into comments on youtube.

[@nicksucio]

What app did you find the locations on google? I've always wanted to do abandon photography, but wouldn't be as brave as you and do it alone! Hope to see the photo results !

[@KyleMcDougall]

I actually just found an article where the locations were listed. The google map was just an image screenshot.

[@JesseJosephh]

Really feeling this now

[@nickmatthews4939]

An interesting book I bought recently called 'If you're bored with your camera read this book' will give you plenty of ideas when the creative juices dry up. 👍🏻s up again

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome. I'll have to look it up.

[@nickmatthews4939]

@@KyleMcDougall It's changed the way I view and practice my photography. Buy it, read it twice, do nothing for as long as possible. Your mind will keep going back subjects covered in this book.

[@DevonChristopherAdams]

Appreciated those comments in the video. With COVID there's no much going on but slowing life down. Looks like maybe some smaller projects are on the horizon. A slower perspective gives us artists more time to consider our creativity instead of feeling rushed.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Agreed, Devon! Never a bad idea to slow down for a bit.

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

Nice vlog Kyle

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, James.

[@JeffSmudde]

I also hope you got a photo of the bike in the pillbox!

[@ZeptonicScientist]

Whereabouts in the uk is this? Such an awesome find

[@KyleMcDougall]

These were near Reading.

[@ZeptonicScientist]

Kyle McDougall awesome that’s near me actually so I might have to have a look

[@trevorsowers]

You should pop by Prince Rupert British Columbia and you can see very much the same sort of WWII buildings in Canada!

[@rubenrosales3305]

Hey man love the videos. I’d be interested in knowing what took you to the UK, how much property/rent is there and how youre income supports that

[@KyleMcDougall]

Family brought me here. Property and rent is certainly more than where I was living in Canada.

[@Zetaphotography]

What do you use for your vLog? Im currently looking for something for my Sony A7RII

[@KyleMcDougall]

Currently using a GH5

[@fjalls]

This is neat

[@maximvdn]

I feel you. Been blocked for a year. The only photos I take are for my wife who is beauty blogger. Far from what I love to shoot but gotta make money for the family

[@dubaigeek1988]

Nice advice

[@jonathanclarke5763]

Imagine this scenario....You buy a scanner to home scan film, save some money and waste lots of time, at least it was by choice. The native firmware does not run on a 32bit system. So you are offered a "free" partial firmware that you run to its limits. Later you find out that basic things such as saving files as DNG or individual color correction plus color channel correction are locked behind a paywall...This world is brutal sometimes.

[@nickdeak]

Breaks are the best! But always bring a camera. It’s more like just being ready for me.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Agreed! Still couldn’t resist putting a camera in my bag for this video.

[@jplubrano2152]

Very cool

[@ttthats]

Entering a haunted murdery looking hole “this is really cool”

[@KyleMcDougall]

😂

[@_o__o_]

filmed on xt4?

[@KyleMcDougall]

GH5

[@AnthonySchnitzel]

Always thought you were in the US.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Canada, and now the UK.

[@tangyorange6509]

I was gonna make a comment about Illinois, but this looks pretty similar so I got nothing Edit: didn’t know it’s Europe

[@miriamamine3269]

Hi

[@jimsimon5706]

Whew, what a relief! I didn't know how to tell you that your photos have been a bit s**t lately! You have two areas of activity going; that's the issue. Many look to you, possibly having found you in the earlier days, to review the performance of different cameras and film, and to satisfy this you need to take some photographs. The other you, the creatively driven photographer, needs the subject first and it would then almost be wrong to just go with a strange camera/film and undermine what you were hoping to achieve artistically. Unless you can combine every outing with subjects that work for you you're going to press the shutter for the sake of it quite often. What to do? Maybe state straight off that video A is you reviewing stuff, and video B is all about the subject. Where your chosen interest differs from those of us for whom photography is a hobby is that you "need" to get material out whereas I, for instance, only press the shutter when I see a finished image in my mind's eye. Sadly for many (I subscribe to a few Tubers and belong to a few photography groups so I know this!) pressing the shutter is often enough, but there are very few who produce arresting images. "Creative block" or "pressure to put out a video when nothing's happening"? I mean all this in a positive way, Kyle; I always look forward to seeing your output.