Goals
October 29, 2007 ONE YEAR GOALS
updated 2-04-08
I recently read that even amateur photographers need to have goals. These lead to better and more deliberate work, more fulfillment and higher motivation to create better photos. My first goals are really the basic basics, but next year I’ll be better equipped to know what goals I will need to set.
1. Answer the question, “Why do I take photographs?” Some reasons I didn’t expect came out of this question. The obvious is obvious. Creative. Making meaning. Memory keepers. Developing techniques. But I’ve also discovered I take photographs because I like the discipline, I like the routine. Yeah, crazy! I like blogging every day, though at times it’s inconvenient, frustrating and I hate everything I have to post. That’s the great part. It makes me go out and take more photos - such a sense of accomplishment.
2. Re-read and then ‘practice’ the manual. I hate manuals. Any manual. I never read directions. Nonetheless, I’ve gotten through about 25 pages of that *&@* manual. Well, 25 pages - it’s a big deal for me.
3. Post one photo a day on this blog. So far, done from 10-6-07 to 2-04-08, even when I was on a ship in the Caribbean and the internet was gad-awful expensive. But the idea is every day, not have photos in a hopper that pops a photo up for me.
4. Research local and internet beginner’s photo classes and workshops. Take one in 2008. I tried an online course but either it sucked or I sucked at following through. Probably both.
5. “Get to know” one fairly well-known photographer (life, techniques, philosophy, famous shots, etc.) I’m procrastinating here - I earlier refused to do a name brand photographer like Adams or Stieglitz , though I may break down and study Dorthea Lange. Her Depression-era photos are worth it.
This is where I was on 12-10-2007 http://gardengrow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/photography-goals-update-how-time-flies/
Setting rules like this has really helped me… I set myself the task of posting one shot a day on my site, and it has really encouraged me to keep shooting regularly
when you get the answer to #1 let me know PLease
My answer to No. 1 is “because it is such fun” but I suppose that is not specific enough…. A good set of targets.
Well I like this list. I could pretty much apply all of these to myself. I like the 4 hours a week goal, though it may be a bit too ambitious since I work full time and have two children. But I guess if you break it down it’s less than 30 minutes a day.
Thanks for the motivation.
Hi Barbara,
I’ve appreciated your comments on my photoblog.
I think nature photography is a huge challenge and I look forward to seeing how you progress against your goals.
Best wishes, Howard
Barbara,
thank you for your recent comments, your photographs are lovely. Just take pictures! dotgo aka Sallie
Wow! Thanks for posting this list. I’ve been doing challenges, etc, and learn a little more each day that way. But your basic basic goals are more like doing scales while learning an instrument. So it becomes second nature.
Nice.
Hi, barbara.
Hope you attain your goals on photography.
hope to see more beautiful pictures from you 
I added you up in my blogroll if you don’t mind
cheers
[...] you and simply post a photo to your photoblog. Perhaps you’ll want to get in the habit of posting a new photo to your blog everyday, or maybe you’ll be less frequent with your updates. The great thing about this setup is that [...]
Good for you.
I’m trying to get back behind the camera more often. Yesterday I finally treated myself to a 50mm and a 100mm macro, both the ones that I’ve been dreaming about for 2 years. Should be ready for spring, and ready to start uploading my own pics on my blog. It’s about bl%@*y time!
BTW, love your shots.