Lessons from my 31-day photography challenge ๐ท
I've had the draft of this post for 5 months but never finished it due to my blogging slump.
As I recently joined 2 new photography challenges, I thought it was a good time to revisit and finalize it.
To lay the groundwork. I love photography and have been taking photographs for more than 20 years. Initially, it started with parties and trips, moving to vacations and events with the family. I invested in decent gear (Nikon & Fuji), but I felt that most of the time, it was gathering dust.
So, I wanted to shoot more, and become better at it, hence the start of my 31-day challenge.
The objective was to shoot for 31 consecutive days to practice my skills and create a habit.
The Early Days: Finding My Footing
Looking back at my early shots, I notice a clear pattern. I was playing it safe, trying to complete each day's prompt quickly and conveniently, often without leaving my house. The results? Well, let's call them learning opportunities. Those initial photos were... plain. Boring, even. But they served as a baseline for what was to come.
Get out! A Game-Changing Realization
The turning point came when I realized that truly compelling shots rarely happen within the comfort of our homes. I had to get out there. This revelation transformed my approach entirely. Suddenly, my daily runs became photo expeditions. I found myself planning routes that would intersect with the golden hour, detour through photogenic locations, or capture interesting urban scenes.
I also reflected more deeply on a prompt. Instead of going for the obvious, I started to think about all possible angles or options. At times I used AI when I felt stuck or wanted more ideas for a given prompt.
The Introvert's Dilemma
Not every prompt was a joy to tackle. The "people" prompt, in particular, brought my introverted nature into sharp focus. I'll be honest - I didn't conquer this one. While I technically completed the prompt, I shied away from meaningful interaction or capturing genuine candid moments. Being early in the challenge, when I hadn't built up much confidence in sharing my work, made it even more challenging. And you know what? That's okay. Sometimes acknowledging our boundaries is as important as pushing them.
Finding My Style
As the days progressed, something unexpected happened. Through consistent practice and experimentation, I discovered a love for dramatic low-light photography. This wasn't a conscious choice - it emerged naturally from the process of shooting day after day, trying different approaches, and paying attention to what resonated with me.
The Power of Community. This is important!
Sharing my progress on Mastodon became more than just a daily task - it transformed into a powerful commitment device. When you know people are following your journey, even just a handful, it creates a gentle pressure to keep going. The supportive comments and interactions became small daily motivations to push forward.
Tools of the Trade
The best camera is the one you have with you.
Photography is about capturing what you see. An emotion, a colour, a ray of light, a composition, ...
Let's be honest. You don't need a 40MP full-frame device for this.
I do love my Fuji camera, but most (if not all) photos were taken with my phone. It's the camera I always have with me, even when I'm not intending to shoot something.
Using my phone also kept my workflow quick and easy.
Shoot, edit (in Lightroom mobile) and share, all from my phone.
This simplicity made it easier to stick with the challenge.
Key Lessons I Learned
- Great shots require effort: You need to physically go where the interesting scenes are. The best photos rarely come to you.
- Timing matters: The difference between a mediocre and a stunning shot often comes down to light. Golden hour became my favourite time to shoot.
- Keep it simple: Having an entirely mobile workflow removed friction and excuses.
- Your camera doesn't matter: Some of my favourite shots were taken during runs with just my iPhone.
- Share your journey: Public commitment helps you stick to your goals.
- Photography requires practice: You don't create great shots from the first try. Keep trying and take many shots. As the great Wayne Gretzky once said: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take".
- Experiment as much as possible: When you're at a scene, shoot from different angles. Come back, if possible, at a different hour of the day. Walk further/closer to have more or less of the scene in view. Shoot Black&White...
A New Perspective
This challenge has fundamentally changed how I view photography. It's no longer just about capturing special occasions or vacation moments. Now, I find myself constantly noticing potential shots in everyday scenes - the way light falls through trees, interesting urban geometries, or fleeting moments of beauty in ordinary places.
Photography has become less about the perfect shot and more about documenting the beauty in everyday moments.
Tips for Future Challengers
If you're considering taking on a similar challenge, here's my advice:
- Don't get hung up on following prompts exactly. Use them as inspiration rather than strict rules.
- Share your progress somewhere - it helps with accountability.
- When stuck for ideas, don't hesitate to seek inspiration (I often used AI for creative suggestions).
- Make it easy for yourself - find a workflow that removes friction.
- Accept that some days will be harder than others, and that's part of the journey.
Whether you're an experienced photographer or someone who's never ventured beyond smartphone snaps, I encourage you to try something similar. You might surprise yourself with what you discover - both about photography and about yourself.
Some examples
From initial shots ...
... to where it got me.
Thanks for reading!
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