Before I start with this article, a little disclaimer. I just finished the 365 photography challenge - known as a 'photo a day' but I blogged and took more than one photo on most days, so it was that little bit more challenging. So I'm feeling pretty smug right now, that I achieved it. But I am by no means toting myself as an expert. This is just my humble advice on how to keep going when it does nothing but rain, or when you feel like giving up.
Before 2012, some weeks would pass when I wouldn't even pick up the camera, let alone think about shots, or how to compose one. Photography still excited me, but I was lacking inspiration. So on the 2nd of January last year I decided to throw everything up in the air, and let go. That is to say, I stopped being precious about the camera (because you can't when you have to take a photo a day) and I forced myself to take rubbish shots, as well as half decent ones.
Start as you mean to go. Don't over-set yourself a goal. It's simply disheartening when you can't stick at it. So take the challenge in its simplest form and say you'll do a photo a day, for 365 days. If you then want to add a blog into the mix, or more photos, then go for it! Consider using DeviantART/Facebook/Flickr/Blog sites to keep track of what you're doing. Don't feel pressured to update daily, but you can take advantage of the support from other people. Getting likes, favourites, follows and so on can be a great motivator on days when you feel like giving up. Step outside of your creativity comfort zone. Nobody, least of all yourself, will stay motivated if you take 365 photos of a leaf. Or a pet, Or a person...and so on. Not unless you've got some time lapse going on there! Get out and about, set yourself the trial of becoming creative and unique. Try and make sure each day is as different as possible to the previous. Don't let the weather get you down, in fact Everywhere you go, always take the weather with you! everything looks different in rain, or in snow - there are a multitude of ways you can photograph one thing. And if it doesn't rain, take a spray bottle, make it rain - movement and spray can make for fantastic photographs! Don't leave the house if you haven't got a camera with you. You're breaking an unwritten photography law if you do! Make sure your phone has a camera if you're absolutely going to leave the main one at home. Slipping a point and shoot in your bag if you work in the majority with a DSLR is no hardship! Ask. Ask people if you can take their photo, their garden, their pet - even their car! If you don't ask you won't get, if there's one thing I've gotten this year, it's more confidence! Most importantly, look back on what you've done. When you get to day forty, look back to day one and see how far you've come. Constant reminders of the shots you have taken, the places you've been and the lengths you've gone to, to complete this challenge, are huge motivators. Finally, just be creative but above all that, be comfortable with what you're doing. You can step outside of your creativity comfort zone, you can set yourself targets that are above what you hope to achieve, but don't feel sad or like giving up when it goes wrong or doesn't work out like you planned. You've got 365 days ahead of you - what's the worst that can happen?
