your tips for starting a photo project

[mhazzaa]

Hey people,

I work in refugee legal aid and i wanted to also document refugees' life where i live in Egypt. I wanted to do a photography documentary that could be used for advocacy purposes later on.

Personally, apart from shooting street and occasionally weddings, I have no professional photography experience.

I am comfortable with my camera and lens to do the job but the non-technical side of things is what i am clueless about.

I do not know what to expect and not sure how to start; I am thinking to just pick up my R3m and click shutter ! and i believe it must not be that simple, so please share your knowledge !

Mahmoud

 

[Jamie123]

I do not know what to expect and not sure how to start; I am thinking to just pick up my R3m and click shutter ! and i believe it must not be that simple, so please share your knowledge !

Sure, it's that simple. If you already have the access you need and you aren't looking for someone to fund your project then I think it's really that simple. Just start taking pictures. Of course after a while you may want to assess your work and see what direction you're going with the project but the beginning shouldn't really be very complicated.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I recommend you to shoot a lot (several rolls) before taking the first look to your images.

Then, see what impacts you from your shots. Pick three or four images.

Then, see what impacts other people from your shots, to see if your own impact comes from the images or from your memories of being there. Show your images to other people but not to other photographers, and carefully take note of what is expressive for them.

Then you'll have ideas to start again with a certain direction.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Roger Hicks]

Jamie's right. It IS that simple!

Cultivate all the friendships you can, with those whose lot you are trying to better. Show them the pics. They'll soon show you how to use your pictures for advocacy!

(I once did a book for the Tibetan Government in Exile).

Cheers,

R.

 

[mhazzaa]

re: Jamie

re: Jamie

No funding required, but i need to work within the NGO's framework and not on my personal initiative. Which i guess requires me to write up something.

 

[mhazzaa]

Juan, Roger these are good tips that i will keep in mind.

 

[Damaso]

Start shooting and see what you get...