In a photography rut? Need a little push to get you motivated and shooting? A photography project is a great way to get some inspiration going. There are many different projects and memes happening on Flickr which you can start at any time. I have completed the 52 Weeks Self Portrait project in the past and I also used to do daily photographs for my old photoblog.
Giving yourself a project to work with is a great way to stay focused and to keep yourself on track. Another benefit is that it gets you shooting regularly and shooting regularly is the best way to improve your photography.
Luckily, there are 2 fabulous projects running this month. Fabulous photographer and good friend of mine, Tracey is running 31 Photos in 31 Days at Sh1ft. Tracey has posted a great list of ideas for things to shoot on the site. She has been involved in the photoblogging community for about 10 years now and she has always been a big inspiration to me. Check out her photographic project page for lots of other ideas. She always has something fabulous going on!
Another wonderful photographer and friend is Susannah Conway who is running August Break. Susannah is asking you to take it easy over August and share one photo a day for the month. August Break is about taking a more relaxed attitude towards the often time consuming blogging schedule. I like it!
One photo project that I personally take part in is Words To Shoot By. Curated by the fabulous Steph Parke, WTSB is a themed project shot by a group of photographers with varying styles and equipment. Each fortnight we are given a theme and submit our shots to Steph. We never see the other photographers’ pictures until they are on the blog. I love checking out everyone else’s interpretation of the theme.
This week our theme was ‘yellow’. I had a lot of fun with mine shooting yellow on Polaroid. It’s such a summery week! Check out everyone’s triptychs here.
Are you taking part in any of these projects this month?
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oh this post is just what i needed amanda. i’ve been in a major photography rut and have been having a hard time getting out of it.
These are wonderful projects. When I read about 31Photos in 31 days it got me very excited. So I decided to join along. It’s great fun browsing everyones photos.
This post is wonderful (as usual should I say? :) ) and yes! I’m taking Susannah’s August break.
to participate at some projects is just great! give us focus and is perfect to find interesting people and put them together in the same inspiration. Give us company and help us to expand :)
I also participate at some groups on flickr as Imaginarium Colectivum run by Photographer Gabriela Da Costa. Each month a subject is proposed.
Thanks for the links! Love “Words to shoot by” specially
fantastic post. i decided to join the 31 in 31 days project. although i’m using a variety of cameras, i’ve been focusing on picking up film again and re-learning what i love about photos in print.
i’m also interested in the self portrait project. i always seem to be behind the camera + i think it would be good to “see” me again.
thanks for the inspiration!
Nicolle, I think it can happen so easily. I wouldn’t say I’m in a rut, but I haven’t shot a lot personally lately as I’ve been so busy. I need to get out there!
WilB, that’s also a great point in that it gets you involved in a community. I should have mentioned that in the post!
Thanks Catalina. :) I will check out that flickr group. Good luck with August Break!
Allyn, the self portrait thing is tough but very rewarding. I did it to help myself with portraits but I found the hardest part was that when you are shooting yourself, it’s really tricky to capture the real you. I always felt like I was posing and I hated that. It’s a tough balance!
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as others have said, this was much needed! I`ve joined the august break group. looking forward to having an excuse to take pictures, if you know that I mean.
:)
x
I think I should consider taking any of this projects, would be so interesting!
Yes for the august break and I love it ! :p
Pretty cardigan! I love the idea of fun photo projects…
Thanks for these tips and links! Sometimes I get into a rut and then prompts and projects help get me shooting. Right now I’m in the opposite of a rut, spending too much money buying and developing film. My only problem is running out of stuff to photograph during my lunch break :) I agree that shooting regularly is great for improvement.
Thanks for the 31 Photos in 31 Days mention, lovely lady :)
It’s only been 3 days, but I’m already thinking more about photography again!
I love your set of yellow photos over at Words to Shoot by! I’m already participating in August break, so I think I will check out 31 photos in 31 days too!
Gorgeous blog.
Much needed inspiration! I’ve been carrying my sx70 and my k1000 around with me for weeks and not taken a single photo! I’m now on board with August Break! Thank you!
I’m not doing any “official” projects this month, but I am starting my Couch to 5K program, and plan on making it a challenge to bring my camera once a week while running and to take pictures of my surroundings. Just something to get me in the mood for more picture taking :)
I am a huge fan of the Words to Shoot By site…check it often and in the past would often think what type of images I would shoot for such an effort. So, recently decided I would give it a go…once a new post is made I task myself with shooting the theme or word. By the way, first post here but a long time reader…enjoy your work!
Best — Bishop
For our end of year uni project we have the theme ‘framing fiction’, and I have no ideas what to do yet! It’s an exhibition, too, so i’m nervous!!