DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

New Year’s resolutions of a photographer

Dec 26, 2017 by Dunja Djudjic 1 Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

As we’re recapping on 2017, we can see what we’ve done right, how much we’ve learned, and also take a look at our mistakes. All of these considerations will help us to make plans and decision for the year ahead to help us improve and keep focused on our goals.

Every year around this time, I make a couple of choices about the upcoming year. This time, I’ve decided to focus on photography and make some decisions regarding my work. In this article, you won’t only read about the decisions I’ve made. I’ll also suggest a few more you can make for yourself to make 2018 better and more creative than 2017.

My New Year’s resolutions

I’m going to learn something completely new

Recently, I started using film a bit more. I got my first digital camera in 2006 so film cameras aren’t really something new for me. However, I have never actually developed my own film.

There’s a roll of black and white film in my drawer, waiting to be developed. I’ve decided to buy the stuff I need and do it myself. I’ve never done it before and I’m pretty sure it will be a failure – but I won’t give up until I do it right. After all, I’ve got a whole year ahead of me. :)

I’m going to be more active on photo sharing websites

For someone who works a lot and has plenty of daily chores, I still manage to spend an insane amount of time on social networks. In 2018, I’m going to cut that and use that time to find my favorite photo sharing websites and hang out there instead. It will get me inspired, help me to discover great photographers, give me the opportunity to leave feedback for the others and get it for my own work. I’ve realized I miss that.

I’m going to start and finish a challenge

In 2013, I tried the “365 project.” It wasn’t as good as I hoped, considering that it was a pretty intense year for me. I didn’t skip too many days, but on some of them, the challenge was more of a pressure than a pleasure.

In 2018, I plan to start a new challenge. I won’t even try to take a photo a day. But, there are plenty other projects to try! It can involve taking a photo a week, “The Alphabet Challenge,” shooting with the film only… If you plan to do something like this, you can make up your own challenge, or go for the “365 project” if that’s your cup of tea. I’ve decided to go with “The Alphabet Challenge,” although I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll use the Serbian or English alphabet. : )

I’m going to treat myself to that tripod!

My current tripod is a $20 piece of junk and it’s literally falling apart. There’s always been “something more important” to buy, but I’ve decided to finally buy this piece of gear I really need. Now I just need to find the perfect one for me.

A few more suggestions

The suggestions you’ll see below aren’t my New Year’s resolutions for 2018. With all those above, plus my job, everyday life and other hobbies, it would probably be too much. But, I plan to make them at some point. Until I do, perhaps they can inspire you to make some decisions, challenge yourself and add new achievements to your list.

I’m going to participate more in contests

Photography contests can be a good way to promote your work and grow as a photographer. They can teach you how to take criticism and engage with the competition. Not forgetting that competitions can involve some valuable prizes, too. There are plenty of benefits of the contests, so I think submitting your work to them can be a good resolution for 2018.

I’m going to exhibit my work

This is something I really want to do, but for now, it seems like a huge bite. I had one solo exhibition in 2015 and a couple of group ones before and after that because my images were shortlisted or won in a couple of contests. Looking ahead, I’ll invest my energy into exhibiting my work more. I have ideas for personal projects and exhibitions, and I’d also like to organize some group exhibitions with other artists. Although it’s not my primary plan for 2018, I’ll work on it in the future. In the meantime, it can be a New Year’s resolution for some of you. It’s a big task, but it’s really rewarding!

I’m only going to buy the gear I really need

Okay, this doesn’t really apply to me since I don’t suffer from the “Gear Acquisition Syndrome.” But if this is a problem you face, maybe 2018 can be the year to cure G.A.S. : ) You can find some great suggestions how to do it on this link.

So, these were my New Year’s resolutions for 2018. Along with the suggestions for you (and for me at some point in the future), I hope they’ve inspired you to set your own goals for the next year. I really plan to stick with them, as Master Yoda would say: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

Of course, if New Year’s resolutions don’t work for you, I totally get that. But for me, I believe decisions like this help me stay focused, so I can improve and learn something new. And in this case, they’ll also get me to choose and buy that tripod at last. If you have any New Year’s resolutions regarding your photography, I’d love to hear them, so feel free to share. And if you’d like more inspiration for New Year’s resolutions regarding your photography business, make sure to read this great article from JP Danko.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

5 New Year’s resolutions a portrait photographer can actually keep Photographer’s New Year’s resolutions for 2020 10 Best Business Resolutions For Photographers 2018 Photography Business ResolutionsTop Three Photography Business Resolutions For 2018

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: inspiration, new year, new years resolution, photographer

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« Nine tips for raising your portrait photography to ninja level
Start culling your photos for a more effective portfolio »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Apply to this Maldives resort to ‘win’ a 3 week job as Honeymoon photographer
  • Reviving a Legend: Repairing a Mamiya RB67
  • Sony’s ZV-E1 is a cut-down FX3 in a vlogging form factor
  • Watch: How good (or bad) is an $8.50 tripod?
  • How to light and photograph Lego building interiors

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy