Setting yourself a project

[George 68]

Not sure whether this is the right forum for the post.

I'm at the point, having lived where I do for 24 years, I struggle to think of something new that's an obvious thing to photograph in my locale. I've decided that a photography project could be helpful in that I pre-decide the subject and then when I have some free time, I don't waste it wondering where I can go that I've not been before.

I'm not in anyway religious but here in the UK churches make up a massive percentage of the historical buildings, so I've decided they will be my subject. I've highlighted the churches on the map within a 10 mile radius of my home and there are over 100!

I've been toying with applying some limitations, partly to make things easier, partly to make a body of work that is clearly related.

My ideas for limitations are:

• Black and white - hard processing akin to grade 4 paper.
• Same crop (16x9, 3x2, 8x10, square??)
• Brooding sky/mist/night (autumn/winter time of year it's probably most likely)
• Long exposure
• One camera, one lens (probably full frame with 14-30)

Has anyone taken a similar approach to making it easy to go out when the opportunity presents iteself? Any advice generally for setting up a project, or specifically about my ideas?

 

[Newbie Phewbie]

That's such a great idea. I was going to suggest a time or day - early morning / late evening, but you have light covered by specifying brooding skies. A single lens, if it is a prime, is limiting and should get you to be creative about composition.

I stumbled onto a project this summer - bugs in our yard - when I bought a macro lens with the intention of using it to digitize negatives. I still haven't digitized negatives, but have had a blast photographing & learning about the various bugs that frequent our yard. In addition to a sharp shot, I try to make the image visually appealing.

Good luck and I hope you share your results here.

 

[richj20]

Projects are wonderful. I always have several going.

I hope you enjoy your project, and post some of your work!

-richard

--
http://www.rsjphoto.net/

 

[peter826]

I create projects for myself that require travel to far off lands. Two I'm working on now are Parisian Cafes on Film, and Italian Beach Umbrellas.

It's a real burden working on this stuff. Having returned from Italy a couple weeks ago, I'm just now realizing that I didn't quite get the shots I was hoping for. I guess I'll have to go back. Sigh.

 

[George 68]

I create projects for myself that require travel to far off lands. Two I'm working on now are Parisian Cafes on Film, and Italian Beach Umbrellas.

It's a real burden working on this stuff. Having returned from Italy a couple weeks ago, I'm just now realizing that I didn't quite get the shots I was hoping for. I guess I'll have to go back. Sigh.

it’s the time between travelling to new places I need to fill.