I need inspiration for a longterm photo-project!

[jonasv]

It's not too long ago I started doing 'photography' - maybe I should say I just did snapshots of... things. It was nice - for a while. I took pictures of random things (sunsets etc) and people liked them. They often liked them a lot.

But it bored me to death.

More recently my work evolved, and well, because of a variety of reasons I have started loving photography - real, thoughtfull photography. Previously I just snapped away. Now I take photographs. I'm not sure if I making myself entirely clear here, but I hope you understand - there is thought, love, passion, interest and motivation in my pictures now - all that was lacking earlier). And I love it! I think I have come to a point where I can say I am developing my own style. I'm pretty happy with that considering I've been photographing for about a year now, and only really seriously for the past couple of months.

What really helped me was getting small projects, assignments to work on. First these were simple goals I set myself, nothing elaborate. Just telling myself what I wanted, and then actually doing it. Most of the time it didn't go as planned - but I learned something each time. Later on (about two months ago) I started 'working' for the university paper. I can't say how much I learned in this short time. And I can't say how much I'm enjoying it!

Projects and working for the paper did not only learn me more about photography techniques, it also made me discover that my real passion is in photojournalism and documentary photography. Not landscapes, not macro, not carefully set-up studio portraits... No - none of that. B&W documentary photography is "it" for me. That, combined with my liking to have set goals, leads me to the knowledge that I really want a longer-term documentary photography project to work on. I already have some ideas myself, but I wanted to ask the RFF community for inspiration and ideas.

So, in short, I am simply asking you folks for some ideas for photo projects - documentary style. I'd like to aim high - be very ambitious - I figure I will learn a lot more if failing a really ambitous project, than when succeeding in a project that was too easy from the start. So, don't hold back - it doesn't necessarily have to be big or important, anything goes, from the front-page news to the small everyday things - please just suggest any ideas you might have! I would really love to hear them.

Anything goes. That's what William Klein said about his work. And do I ever love his work! 😀

Klein aside, some additional information that might be helpfull - I'm 19 (not that it should matter too much, as I said I want to aim high) and I live in Belgium - but don't feel limited because of location. I'd love to start one or two projects over here that I can work on throughout the year, but photography is my passion and I would do a lot for it. Travel the world (another passion). Visit places. Live somewhere else for a month or two, three. I don't care - if it interests me, I'll do it! (I don't want to travel the world and take pictures underway - that'll make me fall back into snapshot-mode - but if I have to travel for a project that captivates my passion, it's no problem).

So what I'm really looking for is a diversity of ideas to choose from... I don't know if you folks are able to propose such projects in my place, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks a lot in advance... and sorry for the ranting. 🙂

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I hear what you say.

Would the Lomo Missions every month or so enthuse you?

 

[back alley]

i think i understand.

i have chosen a few places and i go there every week and shoot.

one is an area in my town known as 'whyte avenue', another is the local farmer's market and to a lesser extent, the bar with my friends.

these are my ongoing projects.

maybe something like this would work for you too.

joe

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

And yes, I'm like Joe, I go the local market most days and the people there are used to me and my camera.

 

[back alley]

And yes, I'm like Joe, I go the local market most days and the people there are used to me and my camera.

that's true, i go every saturday morning and when the locals see me they smile and then look down at my hand to see if the camera is there.

 

[FrankS]

You want ideas? How about documenting the BDSM scene in your city? We have a member at RFF who does this in Montreal, though we haven't heard from him lately. I would find that interesting. (I'd be a heterosexual top, BTW.)

 

[Sparrow]

I looked at a 1912 platinum print of my grandma and decided I wanted to have that range of tonal values and clarity from 35mm snapshots, 25 years on I’m closer than I was, could happen!

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I once bought old picture postcards of places near me and then went and did a nowadays match and mounted the 'then and now' pairs.

 

[dexdog]

I have found it interesting in the past to document the passing of time at a particular spot, using the same lens and film. I have done both daily, once a week and monthly variations of different . I find that I see things in the time-lapse photos that I did not necessarily notice when I wa at the site.

I also like the suggestion of Backalley and a few others to photograph at local markets or fairs. There is a very lively and colorful place in Washington D.C. called Eastern Market that I have shot a few times in the past. Popular weekend destination for a cross-section of D.C. area folks.

When I lived in rural areas of the US, I always used to shoot at county fairs, agricultural shows, livestock sales, and horse shows (got some great pics of draft horses this way, Percherons, Clydesdales and other breeds).

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Bullfights are good.

But perhaps there are not many bullfights in Belgium.

 

[kmack]

Document a work place. Find a local backsmith, or farrier and get permission to follow along and document his/her day - week - month. Work with your local animal control. Find some one who paints steeples and go along for a job. I once got permission to do a ride along with a crew that collected and cleaned Porta-Potties. It was more interesting than it sounds.

 

[wlewisiii]

My biggest long term project is old barns. Farm buildings in general have a very different feel than urban ones and the classic barn, in all it's delightful variety, is a great subject. Here in the midwest of the US, old barns are disappering with depressing speed, so I try to document (even if only as a literal snapshot as we drive by) as many as I can.

You might try to work on finding the oldest continually used barn in Belgium, photographing each of the contenders as you find them...

William

 

[childers-jk]

I don't post much

I don't post much

... but I thought I would add to the list of wonderful ideas.

I have been working on an ongoing project to shoot the old mining towns that are still being lived in today, here in So. California. Many of which are close by. Maybe no one will ever care, but it keeps me focused and gives me a reason to shoot.

I only wished I lived somewhere like Belgium!!! I would probably go broke shooting film and wearing out cameras.

My idea falls along those of Joe and the others. Find something you feel speaks to you about where you live. Shoot it many times, many ways. Or shoot it the same why and do time lapse, as already suggested. I think if you pick something you are interested in and want to share, you may find the results in the end product.

Jeff C.

 

[BrianShaw]

Wow... we must be rapidly evolving around here... maybe even walking on two legs by now! What, no suggestions to shoot the homeless, shoot kids, but make sure you don't shoot cops?

 

[jan normandale]

You want ideas? How about documenting the BDSM scene in your city? We have a member at RFF who does this in Montreal, though we haven't heard from him lately. I would find that interesting. (I'd be a heterosexual top, BTW.)

Frank... you're scaring me.

JVX , did you ever see the TV series called "Kung Fu" with "Cane" the Shaolin monk? I think the answer is in you... good luck.

 

[ch1]

If you read much of the thread - you'll learn that a lot of us have many projects going on.

I'm juggling "working bicycles" and "decaying farm buildings" plus "springtime flowers" [but mainly SLR because I need the macro] etc. etc.

I'd suggest you find out what interests you in life and begin to "document" them.

For example. I am a bicyclist. While I mainly confine my riding to the upstate NY countryside where we have a weekend house - I also live in New York City and see hundreds of so-called "working bikes" used by delivery persons, messengers etc.

Also, since I do spend a lot of time in a rural area that it is "transition" I have been attracted to "documenting" old farm buildings - many of which are slowly decaying into the ground.

Look inside yourself first, and I think you will begin to find your "project" or, more likely, "projects".

Good luck.....

 

[ch1]

shoot homeless drug addicts and whinos hanging out at the coin laundry -- it's dangerous, but fun....


try your hand at lightning

Are "whinos" certain photogs who frequent RFF? 😕

 

[raid]

Several years ago I decided to do my first long-term photo project. I drove back and forth from Pensacola to New Orleans to take photos in the French Quarter at available light. I managed to accumulate quite a few interesting slides of people having fun in the French Quarter at night. Now, with the effects of the last hurricane there, the scene looks different, and I ma glad to have captures a slice of the atmosphere present at the time. Such projects can be lots of fun.

 

[jonasv]

I typed up a very long reply, took me over an hour, but I lost it because RFF went down. So, apologies, but I'm going to keep it short now.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I know it's my decisions and I have to choose what to do in the end, but I was simply asking for some inspiration - and that I got! Thanks, I really appreciate it. I already had quite a few ideas of my own and with the added thoughts of you people my enthusiasm for these has grown and I think I'm about to start on a few things.

What I really appreciate here is not only the ideas and thoughts, but the enthusiasm in each comments. That's what I like so much about RFF - not just what is said, but the inspiration and enthusiasm it is said with.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Michael I.]

what about following the path of some author you like - shooting "illustrations" for a favorite book? my pet project is redicilous and idiotic graffiti and signs.My friends likes to do candids of kids.