I think your decision is a smart one. If you feel as if you don't have that spark for the art of photography anymore, maybe you should stop for a while. I know that I love taking pictures and seeing the comments and favorites placed on them here on dA, but I have loads of pictures I never post here. Just because they're special to me. So maybe you should try doing different types of photography. Maybe that will ignite something; and maybe you'll feel good about your art again.

--
"I do not try to live an easy life; only a just one."
-Proffesor Xiavior, Xmen

*shocked*
Hey mate, everything we do, we do it first for ourselves, and secondly for the others - it's the way our instincts go. I do not think though one can not show other people his art, that's why we say after all that it's a way to express ourselves. We do it to show other people who we are. Like, right now we are talking, we show our personality through that way of communication - think of photography, drawing, poems, as another way of showing your personality. It's not a show-off thing, it's a way of communicating, at least that's how I see it.
I don't think it's wrong to share your art, it's something that makes you happy, and as a human being you want to share your happiness with other people.
I spoke generally of course, when I write 'you' I mean everyone, me included

--
A problem is like an enemy:

name it;
track it down;
kill it.

That's a very good and smart thought and communication is very important. You're right to say that we share art to show people who we are and I think it is important that we become sure of who we are.

I do feel that my work represents some aspect of myself, I guess I just need to make sure.

This may seem off topic, but I feel that we all take on so many roles (brother, sister, son, daughter, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc.) that sometimes we lose sight of what it really means to be ourselves.

Other than photography, I have postponed or slowed down many other portions of my life so that I may really look at myself.

I feel that it is necessary for growth and change...

--
-Casey Arakawa

maybe I will pick up a different form of photography. When I start up again, maybe I'll focus on a different camera too. who knows? only time will tell

--
-Casey Arakawa

Casey-

It takes great courage to step back and really examine one's self. I applaud you, and though I will miss seeing new images, I wholeheartedly agree with your stance. It is my belief that internal attitude plays (or should play) a large part in everything we do. It is never good to simply"go through the motions," or to do things solely to satisfy others. It should be becaue YOU want to do it, and because doing so gives you great joy and pleasure. Sure, praise and criticism are important, and they have their place, but they should never be the deciding factor, particularly in art. I just think of all the great art that might not have been had the artists merely"stuck to the script," and did what everyone expected.

Forgive my rambling, but this has been a major battle for me over the years, figuring out what my passion is- in art, life, anything... My grandmother used to tell me that if, 80% of the time you wake up in the morning, and you are excited about life and what you are doing (even on the occasional bad days), then you are ok, but anything less than that, and perhaps it is time to re-evalutate your situation and your goals. I found that to be quite encouraging and helpful.

I know you will find what it is that gets you "excited" about art, what your passion is, even if that means ending one thing, and branching off into new and potentially uncharted territory. Judging by what I have seen from your work, and the impressions I am left with, I think you certainly have a gift inspired from within.

I hope you will keep us posted. It will be interesting to see what you discover.

I wish you all the best on your your journey

-R.E.

--
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"

~Marcel Proust
French novelist (1871 - 1922)

That's very insightful. I should feel great when I wake up in the morning and I think that I'll make that a goal of mine. I feel as if I need some form of enlightenment, not just with are, but with LIFE.

I'll do what I can, thanks.

--
-Casey Arakawa

That is the spirit! "Seek and ye shall find"

Best wishes

--
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"

~Marcel Proust
French novelist (1871 - 1922)

"This may seem off topic, but I feel that we all take on so many roles (brother, sister, son, daughter, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc.) that sometimes we lose sight of what it really means to be ourselves."


You are so right! It just felt so right reading this.. probably 'cause I'm so tired from work and everything lately, I just feel like I wanna sit down and take care of myself, be alone for some time and put my thoughts in order etc!

--
A problem is like an enemy:

name it;
track it down;
kill it.

Time alone is sometimes one great thing we can give ourselves.

--
-Casey Arakawa