Creating photo projects to enrich your photography

So you bought a spanking new digital camera. Learned the basics of how to shoot. Took workshops to enhance your technical skills. Traveled places to capture sweeping landscapes and rich cultures. Learned about lighting and strobe techniques to get those glamorous photographs. Yet after months of initial infatuation with photography, you find yourself in a creative slump and the camera has been sitting lonely in a corner collecting dust. Or you may have shot thousands of photos yet you don't really find satisfaction in your output. So why do some people suddenly stop taking pictures? How do professional photographers keep their passion for shooting burning?

I recently had a short lecture at FPPF in Fort Santiago for the buyers of the new Olympus PEN cameras. These are mostly students starting out in photography. At the earlier part of the day, fellow Olympus Photographer, Jay Alonzo, shared his knowledge on the basics of photography, which covers ISO, shutter speed, aperture and composition. For the latter part, I discussed the application of these basics and the importance of creating photo projects.

Photo projects are conceptual projects where you take photos of certain subjects in a given timeline. Creating a photo project usually starts with:

• A theme. It is usually best to choose one that interests you to explore and learn more. Themes can differ from person to person, like if one travels a lot, he can take pictures of windows or doors in different places. If you do street photography, taking several photos on the same street corner each day can reveal a number of varying candid moments in a single location. Or probably, if you are fascinated with pottery, you can take photos of different styles and designs of potteries from around the world and capture how they are made. Do you love a certain lens? Why not take photos using only a single focal length? Or how about a more challenging project of taking portraits of strangers, one for each week?
• Timeline. Short-term projects can take a few years or less depending on how satisfied you are with your output or if you have exhausted all the possibilities of a theme. Short- term projects like Project 365 days/52 weeks is a good start as finishing one can boost your confidence to start another project. Just be smart and set a realistic timeline. Long-term projects can last from several years to a lifetime. For example, some photographers take portraits of their children in the same place every year until they grow old or document how a certain establishment would transform in time.
• Focus. The common Project 365 days/52 weeks is a nice example that teaches you discipline to shoot more often. But focusing on a theme adds more depth to a project than random snaps.

Having photo projects is one good way to be a better photographer. Here’s why:

• It can boost creativity. Just thinking about a project is already a spark to awaken those creative juices needed to start shooting. In the process of doing a photo project, you'll eventually find different ways to capture your theme.
• It gives you a purpose to shoot. It's much easier to pick up your camera when you already have something in your mind to shoot. Makes you more productive, too.
• It challenges your skill as a photographer. Projects stretch your capabilities and sometimes get you out of your comfort zone. Like if you're doing a “Stranger a Week” project, you'll learn how to approach and talk to people more. A single focal length can also challenge your composition skills.
• It enriches your photographic material. As a photographer, sharing your work for people to look at and appreciate can be fulfilling. Doing photo projects can let you accumulate lots of photos with themes, which you can publish on a magazine, compile for a book, or even be your pieces for a photo exhibit.

Photography is not just about having the latest gear, shooting in the best locations or about techniques. It's also about creating worthwhile projects that will help your vision and ideas grow.