With the start of a new year comes new photography projects. I’ve always wanted to try a Project 365 or a 52 Week Challenge, so this year I’ve decided to go for it! The challenge I’ve chosen is Dogwood Photography’s 52 Week Photography Challenge.

I like this challenge because each week alternates between 3 categories: portrait, landscape and artistic impression. Many projects just give you a theme for each week’s photos, but the Dogwood challenge combines categories with themes. That’s right, there are themes for each of the categories. Now some might find this combination of themes and categories too restricting, but I think it’s rather freeing. There’s still lots of room for creativity and you have to focus on pushing your craft within each category. It is a challenge after all and not a to-do list.

I’ll post the photos here as I work my way through the challenge, but since I shoot film and I send it out to The Darkroom for processing, my photos won’t be posted right away. I promise to shoot the photos during the corresponding week, but it will take a while before you see them.

And if you’re interested in taking a photography challenge yourself, here are a few links to get you started:

Project 365: How to Take a Photo a Day and See Your Life in a Whole New Way

A Beginner’s Guide to Project 365

11 Tips to Succeed with a Photo365 Project

11 Tips For Completing A Project 365

Pinterest: 52 Week Photo Lists

Muppetography: Monthly Photographic Scavenger Hunts

Good luck with your photography project and Happy New Year!
~Dan