I love brand new notebooks because they symbolize fresh starts and unlimited possibilities. Likewise a new year means a clean slate and is the perfect time to set goals and begin projects.
In 2010 I embarked on the ambitious goal of taking a photograph a day for the entire year. I did not succeed. In the end, I took 186 photos for the year, which is just barely over half. I suffered my first setback when we decided to move over 800 miles across the country and went about two months without shooting much at all. I started this website mid-year with the goal of getting back on track with the project and for a while, it worked. Then life got in the way and this site along with photography took the back burner. It is entirely too easy to get used to not picking up the camera and after a while shooting becomes really difficult again.
Like almost any other skill, daily practice is important to keep sharp and efficient. I did get a lot out of Project 365, but taking and especially editing photos daily no longer fits my lifestyle. I do love photography and writing about what I learn and I’d like to continue doing both regularly. Therefore, I have a few simple goals for my photography and my blog I’d like to accomplish in 2011:
Photography Goals
- Enter 25 photography contests. Although there are dozens of photography contests going on at all times, I don’t think I entered a single one last year. Though I took a lot of photos, overall I felt my photography really lacked focus. Shooting with contests in mind will help me have ongoing, short term goals.
- Participate in Project 52. So Project 365 might be overwhelming to me right now but I am sure I can commit to a photo a week. I want to be motivated to shoot regularly without it completely taking over my life. There are several Flickr groups which support this project:
- 52 of 2011 selects a weekly theme. This week is, “I Wish”.
- 52 photos in 52 weeks
- Project 52 Photos
- Read and review 12 photography books. This will help me expand my skills and also give me something to blog about. I decided to set my goal for one a month, but I love reading so I’d love to do much more than that. If you have any recommendations, I’m all ears!
Blog Goals
- Increase RSS readership 10% every month. My readership is about 152 right now, which would put it over 450 at the end of the year if I succeed in this goal.
- Publish at least three entries per week. I want to have some consistent content. Friday Finds will be coming back because I like assembling a collection of others’ photos, so that’s one guaranteed entry a week. For the other two, I primarily want to concentrate on photography and photo editing articles.
- Write 10 guest posts This is going to be especially challenging, but guest posts are a great way to build readership.
Mostly, these are goals to kick off the new year. I’m going to examine my progress at the end of the first quarter to see what needs to be added or adjusted. If I achieve just what I’ve outlined above this year, I’ll be happy.
How are you challenging yourself in the new year? Do you have any specific photography or blogging resolutions?
Twitter: @kg_photography
Looking forward to watching you complete your challenges! Have you received any recommendations yet on the photography books?
I’m always looking for great books. One that I enjoyed was The Photography Bucket List (or something like that) – check Amazon, it’ll come up. *smile*
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks! I’ll look into that one!
I haven’t received any recommendations yet.
I have a few in my library I still need to read. (Scott Kelby’s first book, Understanding Exposure and one on photographing children.)
I’m excited so many people are participating in Project 365 this year! I’ve taken a photo every day so far (LOL), but I don’t know if I’d be able to keep up so I’m officially NOT doing that project.