Photography Projects

Lyaiera

Do many here get into a project with their work? I was reading a book (can't remember which now) about how to get serious about something you need to sit down with a purpose in mind, a thought or idea that carries throughout your photography otherwise you're just going to end up taking pictures of anything that looks pretty. Now these guys were mainly talking about documentary/reportage etc. photography but it got me thinking. When I went taking pictures I did just walk around looking for something interesting to snap. I decided to have a theme to what I was photographing to see if that would help. I've been out twice now with an idea in my mind of what I want to shoot and it seems to help me mentally, even if I'm not getting amazing shots (which I wouldn't be doing anyway.)

So I've been out twice around Cork with a general theme of home and safety. A lot of it goes back to my teenage years of hanging about with nothing to do. When you'd just go for a wander with friends, couldn't go to pubs, couldn't go the cinema three times a day and generally had nothing to do. So I'm trying to connect the sort of streets we'd wander down just to get out of people's way and be unseen with the idea of feel safe in the city with otherwise nondescript streets, streets other people see as a way of getting to and from other places.

Have other people here engaged in "projects?" I'm sure there's plenty and I'm wondering about the process people went through with them. From defining them, how they evolved, how it helped mentally from a photography perspective, etc.

Gehad_JoyRider

I'm starting a project in January . Where I came up with it from well every one seems to do project365 which is the worst, project in the world because. It forces you to take pictures and there pressure, where photography should be a natrul reaction..

I'd say go places that are not so familier as if you've seen and been to the same place, it gets boring, the freasher the place the more likely your going to feel more creative and create something you like.

As for projects, it really depends on what you want to do, 52 projects is a good book...

swingking

Currently doing a project on silhouettes at the moment. I find it really forces you to look to a specific subject.

melekalikimaka

my Danbo "project" is in its 4th year

pullandbang

I did a "52 @ 50" project a couple of years back which involved taking 52 portraits of strangers over a 12 month period. The "50" bit was that all portraits had to be taken with my 50mm lens which meant getting up close and interacting with the subject. I just about got through it (actually managed the last shot on the last day) but I found it very rewarding having to challenge and push myself each week. Can be a bit daunting too approaching strangers in the street, asking for a photo and getting some personal details from them!
I blogged them each week on my blog and eventually produced a book on blurb - you can read it here - http://allseeing.me/book/

michaelm

Had considered a similar question for years and over the Christmas period 4 yrs ago decided to go for it. My project was to produce a book of 100 portraits of people from my rural parish. It was one of the most satisfying things I have done with my life. I had 300 copies printed, sold them through local outlets, at a little above cost price (digital book printing remains relatively expensive for small runs). 4 years on I am itching to take on another project.