New Year’s Resolutions – Project Time

December 4, 2009

by scottbourne

With 2010 just around the bend, it’s time to start thinking about a New Year’s Resolution. What a perfect time to start a photography project!

I am going to start a project – I will share more about that later – but for now, I want to encourage you to start one, and don’t think you can wait until January 1, 2010 to think about it. Start thinking and planning right now so that you’re ready to go New Year’s day.

But what sort of project you ask?

Here are some idea starters…

1. Projects based on the calendar

You could make a photograph a day, a photograph a week, a photograph on every other Tuesday, etc. These projects force you to adhere to a shooting schedule, which is something many photographers really need.

2. Projects based on the subject

You could decide to photograph objects, shapes, colors, people, places things, etc., all with a common theme.

3. Projects based on working with others

You could find a buddy, or two or 10 or 100. Consider teaming up with another photographer or group of photographers to complete a project as a team. This provides accountability and motivation for those who aren’t self-starters.

4. Projects based on the season

This is very similar to number one on the list but differs in that the project has a large time window, i.e., it’s based on the season. In summer you could decide to shoot nothing but beach balls for instance. You can vary this buy shooting the same subject in different seasons.

5. Projects based on charity

Are there underprivileged or disadvantaged families in your area who need portraits? How about shooting for a local non-profit that needs a photographer but has no budget? Charity projects not only give you something to focus your camera on, they make what you do matter.

These are just a few ideas. Don’t get too caught up in the details. Just go for it. Do SOMETHING. The best way to get better at photography is to do more of it. The New Year’s project is the perfect spring board for just that.