The Power of Personal Projects

by Guest Blogger - Valerie Hoffman

At the start of a new year, lots of photographers sign themselves up for motivational photo challenges. A 365-Day project is one of the most popular. The idea is to commit to getting out and creating a new image EVERY SINGLE DAY. In addition, you need to edit and get it posted online – maybe to your own personal social media page, or one as a part of a larger group doing the same thing.

**Great Falls National Park - Patterson, New Jersey**

I’ve tried that—-several different times, and things inevitably fall apart by spring. And I even gave myself a different set of rules. My 365-Day project was simply to post a new image every day. I didn’t have to go outside, on a cold rainy day. All I had to do was choose one of the close to 200, 000 images already in my Lightroom catalog-many of which have never seen the light of day, nor even a little love in processing. I bet you have a bunch of those images too.

Another option is a 52-week project. I grabbed ahold of this option and really ran with it one year. I had recently moved back home to Pennsylvania, after living in Michigan for approximately 23 years. Back in the day, I wasn’t nearly the traveler/passionate explorer that I am today. In order to become more familiar with my “new” area, I signed up for a bunch of local Meetup groups, camera clubs and Pennsylvania blogs, and started making a list of places that interested me. The list kept getting bigger and bigger, with me going nowhere fast at checking boxes for having visited a place.

**Rocks State Park - Jarrettsville, Maryland**

So, in 2016, I decided to do a 52-Week Discovery project. I gave myself a personal challenge, to photograph 50 different places in one year. They could be anything from a local park, to a museum, to waterfalls-or even an interesting piece of architecture or shop. The only rule was that they had to be 50 places I had never been to before.

Manatawny Still Works - Pottstown, Pennsylvania

By the end of the year, I had photographed over 72 new places! I explored back roads and countrysides, and tons of local places in between, and even went deeper into discovering the special places in areas that I had thought I was already familiar with. Even though I never ventured further than three hours away from home, it truly was a great adventure!

Columbia Wrightsville Bridge - Columbia, Pennsylvania

So, what about you? Have you ever participated in one of these kinds of challenges? How did you do? Maybe you were thinking of starting one this year….

For those of us that love to be out traveling and exploring, and feel like a caged animal sitting “safely” at home during this pandemic, what about getting out and exploring the places that you have close to home that you haven’t taken the time to visit yet? I know, it’s not nearly as glamorous or exciting as boarding a plane and heading to a different state –— or country. But it sure beats staring out your window in a state of melancholy lament! Maybe try something like I did. Or make it something specific, like seeking out new architectural gems, or museums, or parks…

**Peace Valley Lavender Farm - Bucks County, Pennsylvania**

Maybe it’s spending a week only shooting with a certain lens. That would be especially useful if you have gear just sitting around that you never use, but have been meaning to play with. Or what about forcing yourself to only shoot with your least favorite, or least used focal length? For example, many landscape photographers love to shoot with a wide-angle lens. If that’s you, then why not try shooting your landscapes now only with a telephoto lens. Or how about using the “Nifty 50” that you bought cause it was cheap and everybody has one, but it somehow always gets left at home? And if you really want to get creative, only shoot it at the widest aperture.

Doing any of these things will really expand your vision, and get your creative juices flowing again. And it will help take some of the boredom away. It may even inspire you to new levels of creativity, appreciation, and joy!

So, what are you waiting for? Schedule an adventure for yourself today! And, I’d love to hear about where you went and what you did in the comments below.

Now go!!! And here’s a little something to inspire you.

Enjoy your journey! ~Val

““Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
~ Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

So...
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

”

Valerie Hoffman is a nature, macro, landscape, and architectural photographer that hosts “photography treks “ in and around her home state of Pennsylvania. Connect with Valerie at https://www.valeriehoffmanphotography.com/.

Valerie has generously presented these previous sessions on the Happiness Hour:

The Power of Personal Projects by Valerie Hoffman

The Power of Personal Projects

by Guest Blogger - Valerie Hoffman

Finding Beauty In the Broken

Abstract Photography in Nature

Creating Images with Greater Impact

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