Comments on: I need a new photo project

By: Dustin Diaz

Dustin Diaz — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:24:47 +0000

I’m all for limitation projects. Basically that means, anything that would limit you in your photographic options that will ultimately force you to be more creative with your photography. This can be one of several things. In ‘ul’ fashion:

* Have a photo of the week (as suggested above)
* Shoot only with a prime lens (non-zoom)
* shoot only in Black and White
* Limit the number of photos (pretend you only have 24 photos like film)
* shoot with a fixed manual setting (one you don’t normally shoot with: Eg: all shots must be f/16 @ ISO 400)

In the end, there are all sorts of limiting factors. I generally think these are great ways to boost your creativity because you become a specialist over time and master certain crafts of photography.

Nevertheless, I think your first step was a good one (the 365 project) by taking a photo every day. Now you just need to work your scenes more. Make your photos tell stories rather than being a documenter. Basically, the world doesn’t need another macro of a flower… or a subject that shows off how great your camera and/or lens is. I’ve found that when I first got into photography, I really paid attention to EXIF info on people’s photos… and that the GREAT photos I forget to even look at the EXIF.

Anyway, that’s enough ramble. I’m curious to see what you end up doing in your next photo project.

By: Tim Parkin

Tim Parkin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:39:12 +0000

I’d second the Strobist route.. Do a 365 project but for still life inside stuff using some cheap lights lights… You could do food & flowers (Forkd would appreciate some better pictures?).

By: Chris Casciano

Chris Casciano — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:13:00 +0000

indeed, gear is another angle… a community lie the Strobist folks are real active if what you need is communnity and feed bac.

Another option would be joining a local photo group either via flickr or old school in person thing [or both!] I’ve run out with some other local photographers a few times and its good fun.

By: Ollie

Ollie — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:15:40 +0000

You could investigate Macro, B&W or even get your old school Film camera out and give that a go.

But actually I keep doing what you’re already doing, except I’m not sure that calling it ‘Project 365′ is a particularly good idea. How about ‘Photo a day’.

By: Chris Casciano

Chris Casciano — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:49:47 +0000

How about 1 really good photo a week? Something you’d want to care about exposure and sharpness. Something you’d want to bring into photoshop to put the finishing touches on.

Myself that’s what I’ll be focusing on doing more of anyway. I’ve gotten comfortable with shooting again after the last year or two, but I find I’m just too happy making public photos that I didn’t take the 5 or 10 minutes to “finish”.

That said, I didn’t do the 365 thing yet because I just don’t “get” imposing obligations on a hobby. Its there for yourself, to focus on something other then obligations and be creative in ways you normally wouldn’t. So an obligation like 365 – or even saying to yourself that you “need” to shoot instead of taking a break when you’re not feeling it – doesn’t appeal to me.