Photofocus

Copyright Scott Bourne 2010 - All Rights Reserved

There’s nothing like a new photo project to either jumpstart your photo career or to help you learn how to improve. Projects keep you shooting with purpose, and help you avoid slipping into a malaise.

Here are five steps to developing a good photographic project. Oh, and I’m also throwing in some project ideas to get you down the road.

Five Steps

1. Focus, Focus, Focus

I am not talking autofocus, I am talking clear and concise goals. Shoot tight. Stay on task. Don’t be sidetracked by every pretty thing. Keep your project tightly defined and focused.

2. KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid

Don’t over think this. Don’t make it unnecessarily hard. Do just the opposite. Keep it simple. Make it as easy as can be. If you accomplish number one on this list, number two comes easier.

3. Good Projects Are as Much About Exclusion as Inclusion

Knowing what you want to shoot is important. But LIMITING what you shoot is more important. Exclude as much as you can during your project. Only include the bare minimum you need to tell your photographic story. Try to make sure that every picture has no more than one single focal point and no more than two supporting focal points.

4. Look at Current Magazines

Look at the current trends in magazines and then use these to influence your project. Award yourself a self-assignment based on what you see. Then convert it to match your own style and vision, and go shoot.

5. Shoot Every Day

Shooting every day forces you to really get to know your gear and your subject matter. Letting too much time pass between shoots for your project can tempt you to go off track. Stay focused and shoot every day.

Project Ideas

a. Signs
b. Shapes
c. Colors
d. Strangers
e. Juxtaposition

Have fun and post your results in the Photofocus Flickr Group.

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This post sponsored by X-Rite Color and the ColorChecker Passport