If your new years resolution was to take better and or more photographs in 2012, a good idea may be to start a 365 (or 52) project. Project 365 is a self challenge to perform a particular task each day, throughout the year. This does not mean that you have to start the project on the 1st of January. Also, there is no need to publish it every day, just take the photo everyday. Participating in Project 365 can be great way to develop your photographic eye and make taking pictures a habit.
Why start a Project 365?
Taking a picture everyday for a year may seem like a difficult task and some days it can be, but when the year is over you'll be able to look back at the pictures you've taken and see your photographic eye slowly starting to develop. When you have to take a picture every day you start looking at the world a bit differently. You'll be more aware of light and shadow. You'll become hyper sensitive to how everyday events van be best captured in a photograph.
Getting out and using your camera everyday will help you feel more comfortable with it. You'll be more likely to use different settings and try a variety of techniques. You'll also feel less awkward taking pictures in public.
The more pictures you take the more you'll recognize what you do and don't like about your pictures. This will make it easier to develop your artistic style.
The more pictures you're processing the easier your work process will become and you will start to streamline your workflow. The simple act of having to edit everyday or once a week will force you to come up with a streamlined way to work. When photography becomes a second nature to you you're more likely to get the great pictures.
In the next blog I will give you some "rules" and "tips" for starting and maintaining a 365 Project.
To start giving you some inspiration on starting your own 365 Project, here is some examples of projects on Flickr.
Nico Strydom
What a great idea Nico - love it.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn