new ebook out by Dan Bailey: Zen Photographer (and chance to win a copy)

<p>Action and adventure pro photographer and Photo.net member, Dan Bailey, published his newest ebook just yesterday called<em> Zen Photographer: Turning Your Passion Into Focus</em>.<br>

I had the honor of writing the foreword, so I read the book, page by page, in great detail. I give it two thumbs up. It is a helpful read if you are starting out, yet it is also good if you have been a pro for years and need to breathe life into your business. It feels like a motivational kick in the butt. As I wrote in my foreword, "Dan’s humble words come from the heart—with a sense of camaraderie—like you are sitting down for coffee with a friend who who has been there, done that, and wants to make sure you stay on your personal A game." <br /><br />My favorite bit of advice in this book is to refrain from always making bland recreations of life, exactly how it looks. Instead, like any artist, create a representation of it; sometimes an abbreviation. <br /><br />You can buy this ebook here: <a href="http://danbaileyphoto.com/blog/ebooks/zen-photographer/%20">http://danbaileyphoto.com/blog/ebooks/zen-photographer/ </a><br>

Dan is giving two copies away to photo.net readers. To win a copy of this book (valued at $14.95)<br />1. Tell us what you do to pull yourself out of a creative rut. Respond via this forum post. One person will be chosen at random (randompicker.org) to win. It is also simply helpful to see how other photographers re-inspire themselves when they feel stuck. <br /><br />2. Stop by our Facebook page and answer the question there for another chance to win. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.net">https://www.facebook.com/photo.net</a></p>

<p>Thanks and enjoy!</p>

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<p>To pull myself out of a creative rut, I'll do something small, take a walk, go to a movie, change up my schedule & then refocus on task while avoiding distractions. In addition, I'll sometimes tell people about the project to lock myself into a successful conclusion.</p>

<p>To get out of a rut I explore a different type of photography than I'm accustomed. I shoot a lot of tabletop, portrait and nature work. For a fresh change-up I like to shoot street work. The fast changing, fluid conditions are such a change from my usual slower, carefully planned approach with my other work. It's hard to get a good street shot and when I get close I get so jazzed, it really help keep the fires stoked for all my work. </p>

<p>I do marketing for a living so getting out of the rut is usually when I <em>pick up</em> the camera and start looking at the world from the viewfinder to inspire me. Other times it's writing. Just sit down and let it spill through my fingers. Don't even think about what to write, just start clicking away. A lot good ideas come this way.</p>

<p>I spend an afternoon in the sculpture garden of the Baltimore Museum of Art. I stay there until I have taken a full roll of images I have never taken there before. I've done this many times, it's hard, but it ignites creativity. Plus I can reward myself with a glass of wine in the outdoor café when I'm done.</p>