"Punishing" yourself with a photo project

[ferider]

The project is a good idea. I'm in the middle of something similar. I wouldn't call it "punishment" though, for me it's an effective learning tool.

But realize you don't need to sell anything to do it. Selling is part of GAS, much like buying is ....

Good luck,

Roland.

 

[Ducky]

Being a diagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive myself I wish you luck. But I agree, dumping everything else is not a solution. When you get up at 3AM for coffee and to re-think it all you will know what I mean.

 

[sreed2006]

I have seriously considered restricting myself again to one film camera, one lens, one B&W film for one year, and taking lots of pictures.

When I only had one camera and one lens, back in the late '70s and early '80s, that is pretty much what I did - except I changed films a lot, since I was still learning what taking pictures was all about. Some of my favorite pictures are from that time period.

For someone starting out, I would recommend this restrictive approach. If you are learning photography, of course take beginner's steps. I believe once you've learned the lessons from that experience, though, it is time to move on. At this point, I've decided that one film, one camera, one lens just won't get me where I need to go.

One lens alone is too restrictive and just one camera is also too restrictive. There is no one-size-fits-all lens, and I have not yet found a one-size-fits all camera. The camera that fits in your pocket is a lousy camera for taking studio-style portraits with flash, for example.

So - control the GAS, but use what you've got to the best effect. Learning which lens, camera, and film (or settings) to use for which situation is Step 2. It is a longer step than Step 1.

 

[Chris101]

Punish myself? Nah - the world at large does enough of that. I have, however taken on my most involved project to date (est. completion: May 2010.) It will consist of a couple dozen brightly colored, toxic and radioactive prints, about a particularly upsetting subject: murder.

Oh, and I'll use whatever cameras I need to to get the pictures right.

 

[back alley]

i like the idea of photo projects but ones that are based on theme/subject matter more than gear focussed.

that being said, i am coming to a place where i think i could easily live with a camera and 2 lenses.
or 2 cameras and 4 lenses...

 

[MCTuomey]

But realize you don't need to sell anything to do it. Selling is part of GAS, much like buying is ....

Good insight. It takes as much time away from shooting to sell gear as it does to buy it.

Someone mentioned a curfew or limitation on time spent on the 'net in favor of more shooting time - I agree. An excellent discipline.

 

[mccurleyphoto]

I don't see limiting equipment as a photography project. Limiting equipment is a discipline or choice. A photography project should produce a body of work over time. I'm not sure how limiting your equipment is going to result in a body of work. While you can limit yourself, the all-in-one camera/lens combination is non-existent. At some point you must come to that realization. Why not pick a subject or theme that has personal meaning to you, select the right equipment for the job, have some fun and share your work. It sounds like you are more focused on gear rather than photography.

 

[gns]

copy & paste from the children/climate change thread today...

"Mods,

Is this thread in the right forum?
I propose a new forum called, ON THE COUCH.

Move it there along with the relentlessly repeated threads about one camera,one lens. Digital vs. film too".

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Damaso]

And have you started shooting more?

 

[sig]

From where did the idea that 1 camera, 1 lens, 1 year etc will make you take better photos come from? Are the variations? Like 1 shutter speed, 1 f-stop?

 

[bmattock]

copy & paste from the children/climate change thread today...

"Mods,

Is this thread in the right forum?
I propose a new forum called, ON THE COUCH.

Move it there along with the relentlessly repeated threads about one camera,one lens. Digital vs. film too".

Cheers,
Gary

Mods,

I don't much like reading things that offend me. Make it so I never have to read anything that annoys me. I refuse to ignore threads I don't care to participate in, and I won't use the ignore feature on users who bother me, I want you to make it so nobody can read anything I am not personally thrilled about.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[MatthewThompson]

Mods,

I don't much like reading things that offend me. Make it so I never have to read anything that annoys me. I refuse to ignore threads I don't care to participate in, and I won't use the ignore feature on users who bother me, I want you to make it so nobody can read anything I am not personally thrilled about.

Cheers,

Bill

Bill, why should you have to take on the task of making your own feelings known to others?

Wouldn't it be better if there was some law in place to make it so we didn't have to express ourselves in any way, lest we hurt somebody's feelings? Isn't this exactly the sort of thing that government is in place for? Certainly there's room for legislation on this topic, as I'm sure it increases somebody's carbon footprint.

 

[MatthewThompson]

Back on point, I've followed a few projects to their end when I was hopeless 60% of the way though. Even if it all goes on a shelf, finishing the process is important to me

 

[Philly]

Bill, why should you have to take on the task of making your own feelings known to others?

As Bill stated in another thread, he is altruistic. He wants this world to be a better place by educating us.

If you'd like to see more of his feelings, opinions and wisdom, in living color, then watch his YouTube web casts at "The Drive Home With Wigwam Jones" (that's Bill's nickname).



Highly recommended!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

As Bill stated in another thread, he is altruistic. He wants this world to be a better place by educating us.

If you'd like to see more of his feelings, opinions and wisdom, in living color, then watch his YouTube web casts at "The Drive Home With Wigwam Jones" (that's Bill's nickname).

View attachment 76901

Highly recommended!

Bill made the video private. Too bad, I bet he was funny...I could see Bill doing a Denis Learly-like rant 😉

 

[MatthewThompson]

As Bill stated in another thread, he is altruistic. He wants this world to be a better place by educating us.

If you'd like to see more of his feelings, opinions and wisdom, in living color, then watch his YouTube web casts at "The Drive Home With Wigwam Jones" (that's Bill's nickname).

View attachment 76901

Highly recommended!

Wow, I thought my post was frosted with enough sarcasm for anyone to get a taste of. Apparently not...

 

[FifthLeaf]

A project is a good idea, just to keep yourself focused. If you're aimless, almost always your photos will show it.

As for 50 rolls of film, that should last your a month or two. And that's assuming you work 40 hours a week.

 

[robklurfield]

first, uranium, now murder? what's the world coming to? chris, tell more about this project, please.

Punish myself? Nah - the world at large does enough of that. I have, however taken on my most involved project to date (est. completion: May 2010.) It will consist of a couple dozen brightly colored, toxic and radioactive prints, about a particularly upsetting subject: murder.

Oh, and I'll use whatever cameras I need to to get the pictures right.

 

[FrankS]

It's a conspiracy by the camera bag manufacturers!

 

[Jay Decker]

My better photographic projects are consistent subject/theme-wise and have a consistent "look". And, the consistent "look" comes from using the same equipment and materials through photograph the project.

For my photography, I can not achieve a consistent look across a project when I use result from different camera systems, e.g., digital, 35mm, medium format, and large format. My most cohesive projects, have a consistent pallet that results in a consistent look, which for me has meant using the same camera system, film, development, processing, and printing through the project. I also include lenses as a variable that affects the pallet, e.g., my large format Petzval lenses have a different look than my Heliar lenses, and my fish eye medium format lenses are inconsistent with my medium format portrait lenses for the same camera and by the same manufacture.

If you want to produce a single, quality body of work as your project, you are probably going to have to limit your equipment and materials for the project.

Best of luck to you in your project!