Many times we embark on photographic projects without really knowing the reasons or why, we hear that Fulanito or Menganita make one and think, and?Why not?
Other times, the body asks us to do it. If you think that your creativity has diminished, that you need something different, that your photos do not communicate in the way you want; If you are looking for your own style and do not know how to find it if you feel that your photos are far away, as if there is not a total connection with them, etc. , without knowing it, you are thinking about it. .
- Today I will try to guide you in this business.
- In fact I will through the famous journalism 5W (Who.
- What.
- When.
- Where.
- Why):.
This part may seem too obvious. I know. But you will understand why I include it, obviously who you are, however, for some projects or challenges (we will see the difference in what), it is a good idea to carry them out with someone.
This is someone who carries out his project at the same time as you, not in common (or yes, it’s everyone’s choice). It’s normal for everyone to start their own project, but if you work hand-in-hand, you have the same ideas, you work well as a team, it can also be an option.
The idea of doing so at the same time is mainly for support. Some projects can be long or difficult, so have someone like you and be able to cheer you up, ask you questions, give you ideas, give you constructive criticism or support you in times of recession. it’s priceless.
Sometimes you can even serve as role models when you need a figure on stage.
This section, which also seems obvious, is not at all, yes, it is a project, however, it must be clarified.
Is it a personal photographic project like a series or a challenge?It’s not the same. We usually call project everything we set out to do, but we will make differences, because the way we do it will be very different, the effort, dedication, time and everything that entails will be very different.
Although we call it project365, it’s not really a personal photography project, and I don’t want to anyone off?When you read the definition of a personal project, you’ll better understand the difference.
Right now I’m embarking on a 365 project, I’ve never done it before but now I’m talking more knowledgeable about the facts and no, I don’t see it as a personal project but as a challenge. Because that’s right, because taking a photo every day (no cheating) is not easy, imagine if you had to plan, look for a common thread, that all the photos follow the same concept, retouch and also quality, that is not realistic. For no reason.
Such a project is neither better nor worse, it is different, but I think the word challenge defines it better. Some examples, in addition to 365:
The series are a set of images with the same aesthetic and / or thematic but at a superficial level, that is, without delving into the idea of communicating, for example this series of three photographs:
These three photos I took in the same place and at the same time, they have the same aesthetic and theme, however, they were not photos or planned thoughts, I came to this place by chance, I loved it and photographed it. Point.
There is no idea behind it, there is no need to communicate something intentionally, I could add a late speech, but it would be forced and un sincere, it would bring nothing.
Let’s look at the difference with a project
A project is to represent an idea or concept through our images, which are not individual photographs, but become a blunt whole.
What distinguishes a personal project (and well done) is intentionality, behind it must be a clear intention, a definite idea, good planning and even documentation and research, requires a lot of involvement, work and also, of course, delirium.
Some examples
Also keep in mind that some photos taken for challenges or as part of a series may end up triggering a more complex photo project.
What and when I think are intimately related. Starting one or the other will depend on your needs, the moment, what your instinct dictates. Each, throughout his growth as a photographer, has different needs that only he can meet.
Only you can know what you can face and what is best for you right now.
I think it’s important to always keep something in mind, regardless of the effort or involvement it entails, because as we’ll see when talking about motives, it’s the way to keep creativity alive.
However, when you start a more serious photography project I would recommend doing so when you have enough time to dedicate it without stress or pressure, it is true that we always have bad weather, but sometimes we are worse than others. I have no life to take pictures, embarking on a project is not the best idea, it is better to start a challenge that requires perseverance, keeps creativity active, but does not require so much involvement.
Now, if you are in a moment in which you want to dedicate time, in which you feel that you can give more than what you give, that you think you have something to communicate, to share, but you do not know what or how or anything, think about start a project, so you can focus all these ideas and needs for the same purpose and materialize them with your camera.
Each project will require a location. If your project is childhood in Brazil, you will obviously have to do it there, now, when planning your project, be realistic.
It may seem very obvious but sometimes you arrive and want to undertake a project that you really want to do but it is not realistic because the place is not easily accessible to us and we can delay the start to unexpected points. Or I’ll never be able to do it.
Propose projects that you can carry out in places close to you, places that you can access without complications, keep that in mind when planning.
We have come to the reason for this article, why start a photographic project, whether it is a daily challenge or a more elaborate project.
While it is true that each type of project has a different motivation, we can say that there are some general reasons to start:
We mentioned it throughout the article. Sometimes we complain that creativity sleeps, muses have abandoned us, and inactivity calls for inactivity.
For creativity to be part of your day-to-day life you need to provoke it, it’s like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes and vice versa, that’s why undertaking a project will help you to be creative, to find different ways to take photography, either because you have to look for a photo every day, or because you have to find the right images to express your whole idea , whether more or less complex.
Another reason to undertake a project is because of its ability to help us in the task of learning to select. A series, a 365 Challenge project, or a planned project require much more selective with images. Well, with which you have, facts that are a potato and can only be destined for garbage or those you have in mind to do. When planning, you’ll reject what you want or not. Or when you play all the photos and see them together, realize what’s left (or not). It’s a really valuable exercise.
Some think why get out of the comfort zone if the sea is comfortable there, well, this may depend on which areas or when.
If you want to grow, evolve, advance, etc. , you need to leave your comfort zone, and for that starting a project can help you a lot, you may need to discover new techniques, try new disciplines, look for different ways to take the same photo, look where there are not, in short, leave excuses and go out to take photos.
I just mentioned growth. A project is to take photos, is to practice, every time you take photos you improve your technique, improve your knowledge and the way you work, if it also takes longer or requires experimentation you will notice how you go Progress in learning. You will see a remarkable evolution from the first to the last photo. This is very noticeable when you start and embark on a project like a photo a day or a week.
The photographic eye is a bit like creativity, if it can be boosted as if it were a biceps, you can train and develop the photographic eye, for this are ideal temporary photographic projects, those of one a day, the alphabet, etc. . Yes, what have I called a challenge throughout this article?.
And they make you spend all day (or a lot?) To observe around you. Not only when you go hiking with your camera or you’re going to see your photogenic nephews, but at any time of the day, because where you least expect your photo.
As in this example, that day was going to be difficult for me to take a photo (more than usual) and I had to find my picture, so I walked into a room and started looking around. The window was tarnished, so there was already something different there, when I approached to see that I could get it out, I touched the glass and there it appeared. A boat in the middle of nowhere. He’s always been there, but until I’m in need, haven’t I seen him?
We can receive criticism from others or ourselves, in fact, we can be our best critics if we think about it, if we know what we want and where we’re going, and that’s what happens with a project.
When you take photos to take, you can settle for less, with a portrait that says something, a landscape of heart attack, a scene full of emotion, etc. , however, when it is within a project, that does not make you happy, you have to be more demanding with the result, with the image, with the message, with your idea and with your way of doing things.
And this, dear friend, translates into personal and photographic growth.
Finally, one of the most powerful reasons is self-awareness, when you start a project you know yourself much more, both personally and photographically.
Any project you undertake will help you to know what type of photographer you are, what you like to photograph, what type of photographs you do more, if you communicate better in color or black and white, this is an essential step to find your own style of photography. .
This discovery can be made when defining your idea for the project, sketching the images that will form it, or it can come after taking a photo for 27 consecutive weeks.
But I can assure you that when you finish your challenge, your series or your personal project, you will know more about yourself, who you are as a person and as a photographer.
If you’re also wondering about the H, that is, how, you can find it in this article in which we explain how to do it, you can also discover the errors to avoid (based on my own experience).
I invite you to tell us if you are currently running a project or if you plan to start one, and if you liked this article share it on your favorite social network, we may convince someone to keep growing with their camera.
Thank you and I’ll see you soon!