Sunset over Point Lobos, Carmel, CA
I wrote this a few years back about this time, so I thought I’d put it out again for 2018!
Hey, like everything in life, if you don’t set your photography goals, they’re not likely to just happen on by and knock on your door.
Let me ask you, when was the last time you thought about your goals as a photographer? Lots of us keep going out and shooting the same pictures over and over—you know the ones I’m talking about. Nice shot the first few times you got it, but after a few hundred, even you’re tired of seeing it! How does that happen? You get good at a certain type of photography and keep on going out and finding that shot again.
This is a signal that it’s time to tune up your skills, or turn your shooting on its head and do something totally different. An assignment I always give students at my workshops is to go out and get shots that you normally wouldn’t—get out of your comfort zone.
This takes us back to the subject of your goals. Since it’s a new year, this is a great time to set your goals. Start now, ask yourself questions about your photography:
1. What area would you like to improve?
2. Are there types of shots you’d like to get (nudes, travel, artificial light, etc?)
3. What are your plans to study other’s work? (Museums, books, blogs, etc.)
Then just put this all together and set yourself a goal. Oh, one more thing I bet each of us needs to do: Take more shots. Unless you’re out there shooting daily, you’re not taking enough shots.
Do me a favor after you’ve done the exercise above, leave me a note and let me know what you came up with AND send me some of your shots!
Good Shooting!
If my photography goal was to figure out what my goal in photography is does that count?
Honestly I can’t seem to figure out why I take photos. I mean I love taking shots, I love getting feedback and I love sharing.
But to get back on topic:
1) Improve Lighting, human interactions, Location shooting, pre-shooting mentality, technical expertise, creative thought process, composition, give or take…everything haha
2) Shoot something different. To bring something new to everyone! Haven’t quite figured out what that is yet…
3) Currently suscribed to some 25 blogs… and growing. I guess the goal would be to read them on a regular basis =)
If my photography goal was to figure out what my goal in photography is does that count?
Honestly I can’t seem to figure out why I take photos. I mean I love taking shots, I love getting feedback and I love sharing.
But to get back on topic:
1) Improve Lighting, human interactions, Location shooting, pre-shooting mentality, technical expertise, creative thought process, composition, give or take…everything haha
2) Shoot something different. To bring something new to everyone! Haven’t quite figured out what that is yet…
3) Currently suscribed to some 25 blogs… and growing. I guess the goal would be to read them on a regular basis =)
[…] Why Set Your Photography Goals? (Or are you waiting for them to knock on your door?) […]
[…] Why Set Your Photography Goals? (Or are you waiting for them to knock on your door?) […]
The first thought that comes to mind for 2009 photo goals is to develop a better system for shooting/building ultra-high-resolution images using long lenses. Last year I experimented with every commercial component I could find for doing this, and found nothing satisfactory. Most panoramic equipment is aimed at allowing camera rotation around the nodal point (useful for VR but irrelevant for long lens/infinity focus) and is unfit for heavy lenses. Existing robot pan heads have far too much play and hysteresis, and aren’t stable enough to hold a long lens still in even light wind. Some people at Microsoft Live Labs got good results with a modified Meade telescope mount, and I’m thinking that is the next thing to try. This will obviously take some time to develop both hardware and camera control software.
At present I’m limited to a 300mm lens and a Bogen pano head that has detents at 5 degrees, and is rather crude in its rotation control mechanism. I’d like to use a longer lens but 5 degrees is the smallest click-stop rotation angle I’ve found on a pano head, so anything longer than 300mm wouldn’t have enough overlap to support stitching. I’ve posted a few images in the ~1 gigapixel range done with this technique are here: http://www.bstorage.com/Photo/DeepZoom/ . Existing 35mm digital bodies and reasonably sharp lenses (say a Canon 400mm f/5.6) should allow similar images, e.g. the San Francisco pano, in the 40 gigapixel range, before camera sensor or lens become the limiting factor in stitched-image resolution.
As a few others have stated, I’d really like to plan several trips that are fully dedicated to photography, allowing me to travel with some equipment that I otherwise too often leave at home, only to wish I had it when I round a corner and behold a once-in-a-life photo opp.
Thanks for the post and site.
Bill
The first thought that comes to mind for 2009 photo goals is to develop a better system for shooting/building ultra-high-resolution images using long lenses. Last year I experimented with every commercial component I could find for doing this, and found nothing satisfactory. Most panoramic equipment is aimed at allowing camera rotation around the nodal point (useful for VR but irrelevant for long lens/infinity focus) and is unfit for heavy lenses. Existing robot pan heads have far too much play and hysteresis, and aren’t stable enough to hold a long lens still in even light wind. Some people at Microsoft Live Labs got good results with a modified Meade telescope mount, and I’m thinking that is the next thing to try. This will obviously take some time to develop both hardware and camera control software.
At present I’m limited to a 300mm lens and a Bogen pano head that has detents at 5 degrees, and is rather crude in its rotation control mechanism. I’d like to use a longer lens but 5 degrees is the smallest click-stop rotation angle I’ve found on a pano head, so anything longer than 300mm wouldn’t have enough overlap to support stitching. I’ve posted a few images in the ~1 gigapixel range done with this technique are here: http://www.bstorage.com/Photo/DeepZoom/ . Existing 35mm digital bodies and reasonably sharp lenses (say a Canon 400mm f/5.6) should allow similar images, e.g. the San Francisco pano, in the 40 gigapixel range, before camera sensor or lens become the limiting factor in stitched-image resolution.
As a few others have stated, I’d really like to plan several trips that are fully dedicated to photography, allowing me to travel with some equipment that I otherwise too often leave at home, only to wish I had it when I round a corner and behold a once-in-a-life photo opp.
Thanks for the post and site.
Bill
[…] morning, after a breakfast of waffles, coffee, and the West Wing, I happened across a story on Marc Silber’s blog (via Thomas Hawk’s Digital Connections blog) about setting photography goals for 2009. Its an […]
[…] morning, after a breakfast of waffles, coffee, and the West Wing, I happened across a story on Marc Silber’s blog (via Thomas Hawk’s Digital Connections blog) about setting photography goals for 2009. Its an […]
Hey guys thanks for the great comments. You got me looking at the next steps so I wrote a new post to cover https://www.silberstudios.com/blog/?p=212
Happy New Year!
Hey guys thanks for the great comments. You got me looking at the next steps so I wrote a new post to cover https://www.silberstudios.com/blog/?p=212
Happy New Year!
[…] had some great comments on Why Set Your Photography Goals? Shows how important it is to define and clearly state your […]
[…] had some great comments on Why Set Your Photography Goals? Shows how important it is to define and clearly state your […]
I’ve been rigorous about setting and updating my photography goals every three months for the past eight years. When I review my progress at the end of each year, I’m always amazed at how much the process of setting the goals has redirected, or focused, my work over the past year. Instead, of sharing all of my goals (which require an Excel spreadsheet, and will probably bore you to death), I’ll just mention a few…
1. I’m going to do more formal portraiture with the cooperation of a local historical organization. When I don’t have someone from the museum scheduled for a photograph, I’m going to practice on my friends’ children. One of my long-term goals is to get accepted to work with a particular charitable organization that does great work photographing needy children (I won’t mention the org’s name nor their mission, because it might jinx me).
2. I’m starting on a top-secret, really fun photo project, that combines some of my favorite elements of Brian Ulrich’s and Aaron Hobson’s work.
3. I have to cut back on my go-hiking-take-landscape-photographs time in order to free up time for my other new projects.
Andy
I’ve been rigorous about setting and updating my photography goals every three months for the past eight years. When I review my progress at the end of each year, I’m always amazed at how much the process of setting the goals has redirected, or focused, my work over the past year. Instead, of sharing all of my goals (which require an Excel spreadsheet, and will probably bore you to death), I’ll just mention a few…
1. I’m going to do more formal portraiture with the cooperation of a local historical organization. When I don’t have someone from the museum scheduled for a photograph, I’m going to practice on my friends’ children. One of my long-term goals is to get accepted to work with a particular charitable organization that does great work photographing needy children (I won’t mention the org’s name nor their mission, because it might jinx me).
2. I’m starting on a top-secret, really fun photo project, that combines some of my favorite elements of Brian Ulrich’s and Aaron Hobson’s work.
3. I have to cut back on my go-hiking-take-landscape-photographs time in order to free up time for my other new projects.
Andy
Great post. All relevant and practical advice.
Nevertheless, as you mentioned, it’s important to have goals, and I have never really had none until I got tired of seeing the same shots.
The one real goal I have is basically filtering my photos more. I spent about a year taking a bazillion photos. Now I’m actively forcing myself to delete the same shots I’ve taken several times over.
I would love to get into Flash photography more. I’ve never done much more than bouncing straight off the top of my camera with a SB600 speedlight… but I recently bought the One Light Workshop DVD (basically, shooting with just one light) as an inexpensive (yet clever) way of doing off-camera strobe photography.
Anyhow, cheers to the new year. See ya in the next one.
Great post. All relevant and practical advice.
Nevertheless, as you mentioned, it’s important to have goals, and I have never really had none until I got tired of seeing the same shots.
The one real goal I have is basically filtering my photos more. I spent about a year taking a bazillion photos. Now I’m actively forcing myself to delete the same shots I’ve taken several times over.
I would love to get into Flash photography more. I’ve never done much more than bouncing straight off the top of my camera with a SB600 speedlight… but I recently bought the One Light Workshop DVD (basically, shooting with just one light) as an inexpensive (yet clever) way of doing off-camera strobe photography.
Anyhow, cheers to the new year. See ya in the next one.
Great post.
I have joined the team at photochallenge.org for 2009, so one of my goals is to participate in the 2009 Challenge, as well as the bimonthly challenges. I completed the 2008 Challenge this year, and most of the monthly challenges, and it definitely made a difference in how I shoot.
I am also going to work with Justin on his Neighborhoods project, which will be fun since I don’t get into a lot of the San Francisco neighborhoods on a regular basis.
In answer to your questions:
1. What area would you like to improve?
I would like to become more creative in my shooting. It is to easy to get into a rut.
2. Are there types of shots you’d like to get (nudes, travel, artificial light, etc?)
I shoot a whole lot of neon, and plan to increase that part of my collection. I also enjoy shooting bicycles, doorbells, and typography, and will continue those collections.
I hope to increase my street photography in 2009, especially informal and candid shots of everyday people and scenes.
3. What are your plans to study other’s work? (Museums, books, blogs, etc.)
I plan to attend more museum events next year, and to continue adding to my RSS reader. It’s almost all photography feeds now. Might as well continue that trend.
Most of the work I study comes from other photographers on flickr and zooomr. I will continue that in 2009, but would also like to expand by studying more photography books, especially collections by classic artists.
Thanks for this post. It’s good to get some goals out in writing.
Great post.
I have joined the team at photochallenge.org for 2009, so one of my goals is to participate in the 2009 Challenge, as well as the bimonthly challenges. I completed the 2008 Challenge this year, and most of the monthly challenges, and it definitely made a difference in how I shoot.
I am also going to work with Justin on his Neighborhoods project, which will be fun since I don’t get into a lot of the San Francisco neighborhoods on a regular basis.
In answer to your questions:
1. What area would you like to improve?
I would like to become more creative in my shooting. It is to easy to get into a rut.
2. Are there types of shots you’d like to get (nudes, travel, artificial light, etc?)
I shoot a whole lot of neon, and plan to increase that part of my collection. I also enjoy shooting bicycles, doorbells, and typography, and will continue those collections.
I hope to increase my street photography in 2009, especially informal and candid shots of everyday people and scenes.
3. What are your plans to study other’s work? (Museums, books, blogs, etc.)
I plan to attend more museum events next year, and to continue adding to my RSS reader. It’s almost all photography feeds now. Might as well continue that trend.
Most of the work I study comes from other photographers on flickr and zooomr. I will continue that in 2009, but would also like to expand by studying more photography books, especially collections by classic artists.
Thanks for this post. It’s good to get some goals out in writing.
I agree with Thomas, goals are very important, particularly manageable goals that are reachable, but also push you in the direction you intend to go.
1) Not directly related to my the photographs I take, I’d like to improve my confidence in my work, particularly when dealing with human subjects.
2) I have grown a very strong interest in street portrait photography, however, I get nervous when asking strangers for their pictures. I am still not sure where this nervousness stems from, but I think if I can accomplish goal #1, I’ll be on my way with goal #2.
3) I enjoy discovering new talented photographers via blogs, Flickr, and other online sources and hope to continue doing so into 2009. Every new photographer I discover provides me with more passion, insight and motivation to get out and take more photographs. I also gain a lot by going out and shooting with other photographers. I met up with Thomas Hawk and Jeremy Brooks a few times over the coarse of the year in 2008 and hope to continue those relationships as well as build new ones with other photographers (including yourself Marc) into 2009.
Beyond your 3 questions, like you mentioned, I would like to take more pictures in general and connect more with my surrounding community. To accomplish both, I am collaborating with a few others on a My World/Your World type of project for 2009 which will be titled 52 Weeks: My Surrounding Neighborhoods. Details are still not finalized yet, but I will be posting details on my blog soon.
Best to you in 2009 Marc!
I agree with Thomas, goals are very important, particularly manageable goals that are reachable, but also push you in the direction you intend to go.
1) Not directly related to my the photographs I take, I’d like to improve my confidence in my work, particularly when dealing with human subjects.
2) I have grown a very strong interest in street portrait photography, however, I get nervous when asking strangers for their pictures. I am still not sure where this nervousness stems from, but I think if I can accomplish goal #1, I’ll be on my way with goal #2.
3) I enjoy discovering new talented photographers via blogs, Flickr, and other online sources and hope to continue doing so into 2009. Every new photographer I discover provides me with more passion, insight and motivation to get out and take more photographs. I also gain a lot by going out and shooting with other photographers. I met up with Thomas Hawk and Jeremy Brooks a few times over the coarse of the year in 2008 and hope to continue those relationships as well as build new ones with other photographers (including yourself Marc) into 2009.
Beyond your 3 questions, like you mentioned, I would like to take more pictures in general and connect more with my surrounding community. To accomplish both, I am collaborating with a few others on a My World/Your World type of project for 2009 which will be titled 52 Weeks: My Surrounding Neighborhoods. Details are still not finalized yet, but I will be posting details on my blog soon.
Best to you in 2009 Marc!
I bought my first DSLR a year ago and I am in love with photography!
This year, I have a few goals:
1. Take more photos–which won’t be difficult.
2. Practice taking better shots that show depth of field–something I can do now that I have a f1.8 prime lens.
3. Help others. My wife runs GoVisitHawaii.com and I plan to help her readers to get more out of their vacation pics.
I’ve linked to my photos in my name. 🙂
Thanks for making me think about my goals!
I bought my first DSLR a year ago and I am in love with photography!
This year, I have a few goals:
1. Take more photos–which won’t be difficult.
2. Practice taking better shots that show depth of field–something I can do now that I have a f1.8 prime lens.
3. Help others. My wife runs GoVisitHawaii.com and I plan to help her readers to get more out of their vacation pics.
I’ve linked to my photos in my name. 🙂
Thanks for making me think about my goals!
Goals are an important part of photography.
My goal is to publish a million photos online before I die.
At present I’ve got about 20,000 photos published online and about 50,000 photos processed. Assuming I can make it to 84 (my current life expectancy based on IRS life expectancy tables) that means that I’ll need to publish around 22,000 photos each year.
Since I’m assuming that future technological advances will make both processing and publishing photographs easier/faster, and assuming that in my later years in life I’ll be better able to focus on my work with my four kids out of the house and hopefully financially stable enough to retire freeing up more time, my goal for 2009 is to publish at least 15,000 photos during the year.
I also hope to take at least four photography related trips in 2009 where I can focus on shooting full time.
In terms of improvement, it’s harder for me to get my arms around this. I feel that daily shooting though keeps me sharp and every week I seem to learn something new about photography, my equipment, etc.
I don’t think I’m going to focus on getting any specific kind of shots except for likely the six projects that I’m currently working on.
Photographs of graffiti.
Photographs of neon.
Photographs of people who ask me for money.
Photographs of cemeteries.
Photographs documenting consumerism in America.
Photographs of mannequins.
I also think though this year that I’ll be much more direct in terms of asking people to shoot them. Recently I’ve really been enjoying the work of Stephen Shore. Shore took some remarkable portraits of regular working people (the waitress, the guy at the gas station, etc.) during the 70s. He would take trips and simply ask the people he came into contact with during the course of his day to take their portrait. His photos of these people are distinctive in capturing both time and place.
In terms of studying the work of others, I plan on continuing to read and study photography books based on works of other accomplished photographers. I also find daily inspiration from photographs that are online at Flickr and Zooomr and other places. I regularly follow online resources, blogs, articles, etc. regarding photography and will continue to do so in 2009.
Had a great time getting to know you in 2008 Marc and wish you lots of success with your own work.
Goals are an important part of photography.
My goal is to publish a million photos online before I die.
At present I’ve got about 20,000 photos published online and about 50,000 photos processed. Assuming I can make it to 84 (my current life expectancy based on IRS life expectancy tables) that means that I’ll need to publish around 22,000 photos each year.
Since I’m assuming that future technological advances will make both processing and publishing photographs easier/faster, and assuming that in my later years in life I’ll be better able to focus on my work with my four kids out of the house and hopefully financially stable enough to retire freeing up more time, my goal for 2009 is to publish at least 15,000 photos during the year.
I also hope to take at least four photography related trips in 2009 where I can focus on shooting full time.
In terms of improvement, it’s harder for me to get my arms around this. I feel that daily shooting though keeps me sharp and every week I seem to learn something new about photography, my equipment, etc.
I don’t think I’m going to focus on getting any specific kind of shots except for likely the six projects that I’m currently working on.
Photographs of graffiti.
Photographs of neon.
Photographs of people who ask me for money.
Photographs of cemeteries.
Photographs documenting consumerism in America.
Photographs of mannequins.
I also think though this year that I’ll be much more direct in terms of asking people to shoot them. Recently I’ve really been enjoying the work of Stephen Shore. Shore took some remarkable portraits of regular working people (the waitress, the guy at the gas station, etc.) during the 70s. He would take trips and simply ask the people he came into contact with during the course of his day to take their portrait. His photos of these people are distinctive in capturing both time and place.
In terms of studying the work of others, I plan on continuing to read and study photography books based on works of other accomplished photographers. I also find daily inspiration from photographs that are online at Flickr and Zooomr and other places. I regularly follow online resources, blogs, articles, etc. regarding photography and will continue to do so in 2009.
Had a great time getting to know you in 2008 Marc and wish you lots of success with your own work.