Was wondering how many on this site have ongoing personal projects, or have done a personal project at some time.

If so, do you think it helped your photography? If so, how?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

I have been documenting the many wonderful details found in the Royal Wildlife Park in the center of Stockholm. It is a very old park and kept in its wild state. There are bits of baroque and classical stylings as well as natural beauty just waiting to be put to film. This project not only helps focus my vision into a concise manner it also helps in honing my technique in relation to my current (and future) materials of choice - Efke Film, Pyrocat and Azo. Every time I venture into the park and each successive time thereafter I am more and more aware of what I see and how I will see it transcribed onto Azo. Practice makes perfect I suppose.

Not shooting at the moment (too much else going on), but I have about 6 photo projects in the works. I spend a lot of time sketching out ideas in my sketchbook, working out logistics, etc. I'll have to wait on most of the projects, though, as I figured out the average per-shot cost for a few of these projects works out to something like $500. Oops...

I have a few projects on going. I don't think they make any difference from a technical point of view, but they do provide an opportunity to focus ones ideas about a specific subject and how to present it over a range of images.

It is also satisfying to work over time, accumulate a body of work and be able to have enough good work to have a portfolio of the project. That does not mean that for me a particular project is ever finished. Sometimes one project can morph into something completely different or refine what you are trying to communicate. I was working for a couple of years on photographing old churches in the area, especially ones that have been abandoned. During this project I became aware of new groups and congregations starting up who convert many old commercial spaces to churches such as convenience stores, old theatres, warehouses and even gas stations.

The former project detours into something that for me is more interesting and more of a challenge to present.

I tend to work in projects as I like to have a plan and roadmap. It looks like I am all over the map sometimes because I tend to have more than one project going at one time. This allows me to be able to work when the other stuff is not working or I am not in the proper area (like having work to be done out of town).

lee\c

hi every body..
yes, i work mostly on projects. some take long time to finish, some short, some seems like one of the chapters in a big novel. it improves the photo graphy without any doubt. u study to think. u study to express yourself, your study how to be creative.
there are many kind of projects...
generally, there are those in which u have a clear idea of what u want, and there are those in which u reflect your own development within the concept. both are very enjoyable.
so i really recomened to anyone who is serious about photo, to take projects. it can be a little personal project as well with some interest, who knows what will came up with those little projects...

I've found projects really help me to focus on outcomes with my photography. First was working towards an exhibition, which went well. NExt (and still ongoing) was documenting the building where I worked. And after that will be getting a (as close as I can get) professional looking portfolio together to send out in the hope of getting some sort of interest back - although this will be once I get the darkroom up and running again (looking more and more likely to be in the Autumn now) :(

This is the ONLY way I can get work done. Not only a project, but with a definite goal in number of images, a small essay about the work and most importantly, a deadline.

A project without a deadline is not a project.

Sorry, have to go.... The next project deadline is to ship out photos on March 1. Have 8 prints to do.

Yes definately like the idea of project (and goals for each project) For me these projects determine a way of pursuing an image in terms of content and lighting style. I have one project I've worked on for 11 years. Have shot counless times and have 8 final images as proof of my effort. It's a tough place to get to and rarely works. Completaly boggles my mind, yet when it does work I'm in heaven.

Yes projects keep me focused. That doesn't mean that I only photograph to a given project. I have several projects that keep me from becoming too myoptic.

hi ..

i have a few projects that i am working on, but they have been put in a holding pattern for a little while until i can find the time to shoot/process/print. they involve mostly documenting the former industrial infrastructure of south eastern - central new england (i've been doing it since the mid 1980s)... i am also planning a project making portraits of local color -business and civic leaders.

I haven't done one yet, but my shooting is tailing off of late. If I can find a subject that flips my switch then I think it would be of real benefit for me to work in a more directed, targeted and methodical way.

Thanks to each and every one that has responded at this time, I was considering this subject and thought it would help to get me out and 'burn' film with a purpose. While I would expect that everyone is working on a current project(s), you have verified what I thought. Those of you that have on going projects, seem to have a body of work that I admire and I think that it for one shows your dedication to the quality of photography you do.

I know photograps who say : "One shoot, however perfect, is nothing." Maybe I wouldn't say it so strong, but I'm project's man too. I love looking at things again and again at the difrent day time, the diffrent light or the diffrent personal settings. And working on "project" is only a way as to do it.

JK

Was wondering how many on this site have ongoing personal projects, or have done a personal project at some time.
I'm not sure I understand the question. Everything I do is a "Personal Project" - some more extensive than others.
I always have two or three - or seven or ... MANY... ideas to do, kicking around in my sub-conscious. Some I get to sooner than others.

If the question was "Do you ever finish a "Personal Project", my answer would be "No".

Not a "real" project, I guess, but I do the "assignment from within" thing. If I do a project, I wouldn't be telling it here - not with all the talent floating around APUG!!!
:-)