Starting a personal Photography project We may be a little biased, but we honestly believe that photography is a hobby for everyone. You only have to look at the popularity of smartphones, selfies and apps like Instagram to see that most people have an interest in photography at some level – but that doesn't mean that you have to spend a fortune. Making a conscious effort to take up photography could mean anything from buying a dedicated compact camera all the way up to investing thousands in a pro DSLR kit – the choice is yours! After the initial excitement of purchasing your new camera, it's quite common for your enthusiasm to wane as you wonder what to photograph next. That’s when you need a personal project! What is a project? A project is really a vehicle for giving your photography some meaning. It’s an opportunity to engage with the world or your other interests in a way that improves your skills and, hopefully, gives you a sense of purpose. It’s no coincidence that the greatest photographers throughout history all set themselves projects. How do I choose a project? If you’ve never done anything like this before or you don’t think that you have a very good imagination, there’s no need to worry – the internet is a treasure trove of inspiration! Here are a few ideas you might like to explore: • Document your hometown – the people, architecture, landmarks, etc. • Start a ‘100 strangers’ portrait project – nerve-wracking at first, but so rewarding! • Try and show the world from the view of a child – get down low to shoot and make the world seem big and exciting. • Create a photo diary of your life – try to tell the story so that viewers will really understand your experience of the world. • Emotions – focus on one emotion at a time and try to take photos that express that feeling. • A selfie a day – you can be really creative or take the same shot every day for a year to document how you change over that period. A good project will make you enthusiastic about picking up your camera every day, which is the key to improving and enjoying your hobby. No excuses! Anyone can start a project! It doesn’t matter what camera you own, whether you’re a beginner or pro, whether you’re creative or not – a project is for everyone, so get out there and have some fun. Oh, and don’t forget to treat yourself to a canvas print of your favourite work – it’ll motivate you to keep shooting.