Portrait of a Photographer

Scott McGale Portrait from Mauricio De la Rocha G on Vimeo.

Scott is a highly regarded professional photographer with nearly 20 years experience. He began his photographic career in London, and worked there as a pro for 12 years before returning to his native Australia, and now resides in Sydney. In 2008, he started teaching photography where he developed a real passion for teaching that has led to the opening of Photo Workshop Australia

Workaholism as a Creative Block

Workaholism is an addiction, and like all addictions it blocks our creative energy. If we're too busy to write a play, to finish that paint, to take that sailing class, or to shoot that film, we're probably too busy to listen to our creative inner voice. Rather than trusting our intuition, our talent, our skill, our desire, we are afraid of where this creative energy could take us and we choose to be blocked. At least when we are blocked, we know who and what we are, unhappy and incomplete people. Once unblocked, we may experience something way more threatening… happiness.

Excess of work is only one of many creative blocks. The need to be a great artist makes it hard to be an artist. The need to produce great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all. We need time for that and we're too busy working.

Do not call it procrastination or laziness. Call it fear.

Creativity requires activity. And most of us hate doing something when we can obsess about something else instead. We all have creative blocks. Work has been mine since the beginning of the year. It is good to take some time off now, step back and take stock of the situation in order to return to the doing column.

It’s funny how the mind works. After 4 months of not sharing what I think or do, doubts started popping in my head, such as, what if what I'm writing is not good enough to even share it? Writing this few lines made me very happy this morning. Because, in my case, writing about what I'm doing or thinking, helps me keeping some of my fears away.

Working is good, don't get me wrong. Actually, it is essential in order to create something. It is the abuse of it that makes it a creative issue. Having the time, and taking the time to try new things, learn new skills, and try new experience is mandatory to stay creative.

Mauricio

"Question: Do you know how old I'll be by the time I learn to play piano?

Answer: The same age you will be if you don't."

-Julia Cameron