Alla Ponomareva15 Photography Projects to inspire you to start yours!
With the start of the new year, most people naturally start planning the resolutions that they will undertake. As a photographer, those resolutions my be:
to buy new gear
to shoot more
to learn a new skill
to use the gear that you have more
to start a new photography project
Over the years, most, if not all of those resolutions, were on my lists at one point or another. Successful or not, resolutions that involve working on a project have always inspired me. The motivation to start them, the drive to continue and the creativity required to keep a project alive, are all very fascinating to me. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of 15 projects, that I hope will inspire you to start yours in the new year. Of course, it doesn’t have to revolve around the medium of photography, your project can be unique in any and every way you desire, because it is YOURS!
Table of Contents
Tattoos of Asia
“This project aims to be a pan-Asia representation of the remaining tattooed peoples on the continent. The stories these people have to share about their changing cultures, along with their faces as cultural assets, make these people an invaluable source of history within Asia. This project will bring these faces and cultures together for the first time into a single book.” (Tatoos of Asia)
Skull-A-Day
What began as a 365 days project to create a skull-inspired artwork, turned into a Kickstarter Project which lead to the publishing of a book, exhibitions and world wide participation.
Photo courtesy Skull-A-Day
365 days project
Speaking of doing something on the daily bases, here’s a great article how you too can tackle this behemoth of a challenge. Again, no photography necessary, but then again, these days its easier and easier to incorporate photography into archiving your project for yourself or for the online community to see. Good luck!
Crystal ball
This past summer, crystal ball became a part of my photography when I got an idea to utilize it in my travels and later exhibit the results at Daejeon’s Fall exhibition with DJAC. It also helped me to find Facebook groups on the same topic and my project was born!
Unique habits of an Autistic son
While not all that is glitters and shines deserves the click of a shutter button, sometimes unique/one of a kind images can come from the most unexpected experiences. While most would probably shy away from capturing the shenanigans of their kids, let alone share them with the world, these images speak of truth, love and appreciation for each other’s differences.
Making a museum match
Photo courtesy of Stefan Draschan
While some find museum going as a pointless and boring activity reserved for the older generation or an art lover, Stefan Draschan probably spent countless hours in them, waiting. He waited to match the attendees with the works of art in an unpredictable and surprising way.
America by Car
Road trips are a popular pastime for many (check out my 3,000 mi journey last summer for a great reason/s), most of the images seen in this project have made it a point to incorporate the vehicle through framing, reflections and textures. So don’t just start a project, make it more challenging by limiting yourself in one way or another.
Pin me!
Silhouettes of Animals
Photo courtesy of Nikolai Tolstyh
Limit yourself with a particular type of lens/accessory/shooting style or a combination of a few elements can make for a very unique project indeed. While this project seems simple, the results are anything but extraordinary.
Farm animals and children
Elena Shumilova is behind this project that incorporates two wonderful aspects of her life in a gorgeous archive that her children will undoubtedly cherish and share and like and re-post!
Photo courtesy Elena Shumilova
Celebrities as famous paintings
Another Russian photographer that I truly admire is Ekaterina Rozhdestvenskaya, whose modern day imitation of classic paintings done while photographing celebrities, is a nothing short of a work-of-art-project in my book. Similarly, I worked on a recreation of an “Ambassadors” painting with a friend (not quite a celebrity status, but still) last year and it was a project that I’d gladly get into again (if only the next one didn’t take a whole year to plan and execute!). Check it out here!
Projection Photography
Photo courtesy of Artintheheart blog
If you have a projector lying around, then don’t be shy to jump into this type of creative project. Just grab a model, google Images and go!
Combo photos
Imagine seeing something that others don’t. Imagine creating images that make people think or smile or not wanting to take their gaze off. That is what combo images by Stephen McMennamy make me feel like. You don’t need to be a creative director to create these, just use your imagination, or get inspired by Instagram’s #combophotos.
Korean Artist and a single room
Photo courtesy of Jee Young Lee
Most of artists dream of having their own space/studio to work in, while others complain of the limitations that their working spaces possess. Let’s be more positive and appreciative in the new year while working with what we’ve got and to the best of our abilities. As you’re shaking your head “Yeah, yeah!” check out what this Korean artist was able to do with just a single room, no Photoshop and lot’s of imagination.
Private and Public Bodies
(CONTENT NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK PLACE)
I came across Matt Granger’s Private Bodies book on Kickstarter a few years ago, I was happy to learn that previously known as ThatNikonGuy was also busy working on his second project – Public Bodies. No idea how he pulled it off, but hats off to him, his fearless models and his cleverly titled projects.
“Damn, Montana, why you so ugly?”
Photo courtesy of Andy Austin
Another clever title for what seems like a straight-forward project – a calendar. Montana-based photographer, Andy Austin, caught plenty of attention to fund his Kickstarter camapign three times over.
Finally, a project can be something tangible, like a photography book, a calendar or an exhibition print. A project can also be a collaboration with others, a new set of photographic skills or a more streamlined workflow. If you desire a more comprehensive list to get you inspired and driven, check out this 77 Actionable Photography Goals list by my friend and a very talented professional photographer Peter DeMarco.
What will you work on next? Comment below to share.
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