Key Considerations for Launching a Photography Project

What’s the purpose of a photography project?

A photography project is frequently recommended as a means to enhance our creativity, spark our interest, offer motivation, and give our photography a clear direction. Engaging in a project can push us beyond our comfort zone, thus improving our skills, and achieving a tangible result, like a photo book or exhibition, can give us a sense of fulfillment.

A project can help move you out of your comfort zone and try new techniques.

What are the key aspects of a photography project?

·      Purpose: Will the project centre on a theme, a subject, a story or a technique? What do you hope to achieve through doing the project?

·      Duration: Will it be a short, snappy project, e.g. shooting the colour yellow/red/blue; will it be a long-term project or a project of fixed duration?

·      Outcome: How will the project be presented? Photo book? Slideshow? Exhibition, either physical or online? Online gallery?

Looking for examples of a certain colour can be an interesting short project and can look effective when presented.

Considerations

Your choice of project will generally be based on the key aspects outlined above.

Purpose

When deciding on the purpose of your project you will consider your objectives in doing the project and decide on the best way to realise those objectives. Will you photograph a subject in one location (e.g. a tree or woodland) over time, in varying conditions and using different focal lengths, or will you take a theme (e.g. abandoned buildings) and photograph various examples from many different locations.

You might want to do a documentary-style project, so your approach might be to make a collection of images that tell a story, or you might prefer to focus on one aspect in a range of different subjects (e.g. light, colour or shape) and present your observations.

Ultimately, your purpose for the project and your goals will determine the decisions you make.

I included this image in a project on photographs that tell a story. Although there are no people present, to me the three chairs tell the story of three people meeting for a cup of coffee, the different colours representing their three different personalities. I can imagine them chatting together at the table.

Duration

While the timeline can change, it's helpful to set an initial duration. The length will depend on factors like subject accessibility, your availability, and your project's goal.

For example, one recent project I undertook was to photograph a period house close to my home from a range of viewpoints, with different focal lengths, in various weather conditions and through all seasons. This will naturally take at least a year to complete.

A project photographing examples of one colour will have a shorter duration, possibly just a day or two, while undertaking a project that involves travel from your home might be more complex and require a longer duration, as time and opportunity allows.

Outcome

How will you present your project to make your objectives clear to the audience? Will you compile your work in a photobook with an appropriate title, display it in an online gallery accompanied by relevant captions, or exhibit your project through a selection of prints?

The final presentation doesn't need to be complicated. For my ongoing project, I print and paste photos into a project book as I take them. This affordable method keeps me motivated and results in a finished product to share with family and friends.

I recently started a 'small town' project. It will include features that portray the character of a selection of small towns in Ireland. I have curated and printed a selection of images taken so far and will add more as the project develops. As this involves some travel it will continue to be ongoing for at least several months.

Final Thoughts

If you are considering a photography project I hope that these suggestions will be useful in helping you to get started and will aid you in completing a successful project.