The Journey of Photography: Continuation
Over the past two years or so, I've taken over 60,000 photos. I have definitely improved my skills, but I don't think I have developed my style yet. There is so much to learn and improve on, but there have been so many times where I felt stuck and didn't know what to do (read: burnt out). In order to push me to improve even further, I have been doing some of the following:
Go out and shoot with a limited number of shots (similarly to film).
Take a different lens to the same place
Stick to one focal length. I don't have a fixed lens but sometimes I challenge myself to a single focal length for an outing.
Play around with Shutter Speed and Aperture: It forces you to see things in ways you hadn't before
Getting different angles, whether being on the ground of having the camera above my head
Use events (e.g. art festivals) as an excuse to take pictures
Plan a location at a specific time (e.g. full moon/sunrise/sunset)
Explore places I haven't been to
Do types of photography I haven't done before (e.g. street, sports, landscape, product, portraits, wildlife). Especially changing the speed of shooting which allows more/less time to change settings
Shoot at different times of day (even mid-day for a challenge)
Just walk around
Take your camera everywhere
Don't take pictures wherever everyone else is: Not a hard rule but why take snapshots of something everyone else has. Get different angles. Frame the picture differently.
Use different lights, filters, gels
Always be thinking.
Invite others to join
Edit photos differently (possibly replicate other photographer's style as a challenge)
Things I haven't tried doing but plan on doing in the future:
Film Photography (a massive endeavor)
Front and Rear Curtain Sync
Double Exposures
I am constantly looking at other photography. It doesn't have to be a book or portfolio (though they can be a more effective way than looking at random photographs online). I look at every photo (especially mine) and try to figure out how it was taken and how it could have been better; since I am constantly critiquing photos, I can't really casually "enjoy" photos anymore.
Overall, challenge yourself to be better.
Here is one of my latest albums which include PVDFest and Day of Portugal (including a visit from the President and Prime Minister).