Each year, at least once, we stop and look at what projects we could run over the following year, what new exciting fields we want to explore and how this will add to our existing knowledge. We do this a few weeks before the annual Focus on Imaging show, as having decided what we are looking to do, and having an idea of what new items we may be looking for, we can do some research and go along to the show, specifically looking at some items, as well as looking out for other new developments. As the show has many offers on, it may be that some of the new items can be obtained at a discount. Its also nice to check out things first hand, especially if we are planning to order it from a mail order supplier.

We have several articles this week covering the idea of an annual project, something that you can get into and complete in a year, building new skills, and exploring exciting new areas. A Project For This Year looks at both why and how to go about a year project, and Possible Year Projects looks at a wide range of topics and suggests other places, within this system principally, that you can find out more on each. The article Area Project - Lincolnshire  looks at how to research and plan a project based upon an area, in this case the county of Lincolnshire, and this has a range of other information connected in the form of lists and location guides adding to what we had for this area before.

While projects can be specific to a topic, some may want to develop other techniques. In our case, over the coming year, we have both projects that are based on topic areas, including three books, but also some that are connected with completely new ideas or areas.

Let me give you an insight into one of our new projects, for Camera Images. The development of the nearest thing to a flight simulator to teach photographers studio photography and lighting.  This year with the depression, and training bookings down, we have the time to develop some new courses, and have a range in development currently on studio work, portraiture and working with models, some of which you will hear about in a few weeks, when we look here at studio photography in detail, at the same time adding a new section on this. Some of the work we do is product, food and flower photography, but we also have a lot of interest in portraiture and model photography. Currently we have theoretical and demonstrations, then on some courses bring in models for a practical session. To make it easier to understand lighting, we have 5 Girlequins (mannequins), these art works are life size models in set poses, with wigs and dressed. They are a cross between what you would put a dress on in a shop window and something you might see in a wax works. We have two standing, one seated, one kneeling and one laying down. With these and a computer linked to a camera, plus different lighting and backgrounds, we can simulate under very controlled conditions the effects of lighting for portraiture and model photography, making adjustments and seeing results immediately. We will also be able to better demonstrate depth of field, colour filters in lighting and a number of other aspects with the same system. We are then planning to add a radio link to the camera allowing the nearest thing to a dual control flight simulator to teach photographers. Although this sounds complex from the users position it is not, its easy to use, see the results and understand why you get specific

On a new photographers 2nd day Image taken with Nikon D300, with 18-200mm @ 80mm lens, ISO 400, 1/60th F5.6, creative lighting (flash)

effects, in both flash and fixed lighting, demystifying an area that many photographers have perhaps avoided or had some difficulty in picking up fast. We will of course still be using live models as well for some courses, but as more will have been seen and experienced before, photographers will be able to make more of the experience session when a model is used. For this we need the Girlequins, a radio connection and a few other items, plus at the same time we are adding constant cold lighting, running near to daylight to the two types of flash and tungsten lighting we can currently use.

Perhaps you would like to consider a project that you could take on and enjoy, and maybe the idea of a year project could help you to move rapidly forward, learning, gaining experience and enjoying your photography.

A Project For This Year

Possible Year Projects

Area Project - Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire's Top Attractions

Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs  

Grimsthorpe Castle, Park & Gardens, Bourne, Lincolnshire  

Julian's Bower, Alkborough, Lincs

Butterfly & Wildlife Park, Spalding, Lincs

Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness, Lincs

Tattershall Castle, Tattershall, Lincs