A little over a year ago, I discovered a website that began to revolutionize my photography. I’m a hobby photographer, who enjoys taking photos of my family, our vacations and the things around us. I have done a bit of professional work for friends but for the most part, it’s just something I do for fun. I love looking back and being able to cherish the photos I’ve taken, as well as grab memories for life.
When I got my first DSLR about 3 years ago, I really didn’t know much of anything about photography. I’d used a point and shoot all my life and I don’t really have the best track record with electronic equipment. But so far, I have managed to remain extra careful with my camera — and it’s been one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.
So here’s a few of the photography challenges I have participated in myself as well as a couple of others I’ve thought about joining as some point in time. You may know that I’m a regular contributor for You Capture, but the others I just haven’t been able to make the allotted time commitments to.
- In October 2010, I found my way to You Capture @ I Should Be Folding Laundry which is hosted by the lovely Beth who just seems like the nicest person…and whose own photography skills have grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years. She takes the most beautiful shots and comes up with fun and creative topics every week to push hobby and professional photographers to get out and explore their worlds while trying to pin down a (usually) one word concept. So, for example, one week you’ll get a color (green) and the next week an emotion (love) and the following a verb (back to school) and so on. Some weeks you’ll look at the topic and just wonder how in the world you are going to capture that. And there’s no pressure or requirement to join — but somehow, when I don’t, I feel like I’m cheating myself just a little.
- Let’s Do 52 at Paint the Moon is a challenge I just discovered — and the blog is a huge wealth of information for both noobie and more experienced photographers. Plus they do a weekly challenge for kids too which is just AWESOME! I can’t wait until Mackenzie can start participating in that, although I did see 3- and 4-year-olds are joining that already…what?! I think there is a huge amount to be learned from joining this challenge, so I may try to work it into my week as well.
- Another fun project, which requires a bit less devotion since it’s a once a month thing now (they did a weekly one last year), is Project Challenges from MCP Actions. This challenge is done via a Flickr group with the topics coming through the blog and Facebook. It’s the same sort of scenario where the topic is selected for you and you go track it down. Within the group there are a lot of supportive people and some incredible photographers — so you’ll not only be able to learn from each other, but get a lot of inspiration as well.
- Project 365 is the largest of the challenge commitments, and you would actually be taking at least one photo per day (usually of your own choice) and posting it somewhere online to share with others. You could post them on a blog, in Flicker, Tumblr or any other format…or within a group. Here’s a great post about why a 365 Project can help you improve your photography…as well as a few of the groups out there (there’s more than one!)
Do you participate in any photo challenges? What is your favorite way to improve your own photography skills?
