How to Make 2024 the Greatest PHOTOGRAPHY Year of Your LIFE!
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2024
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In this week’s episode, we discuss how to make 2024 the greatest photography year of your life! If you're someone who doesn't like setting New Years resolutions or goals, then you'll love this week's video. I for one enjoy creating goals for my myself and my business and am always striving to become a better version of myself each and every year. And in year's past I've always set sometimes as many as ten photography focused goals, but last year I strayed away from this approach and had one of my best years of photography ever. And, this approach to goal setting is something I'm going to continue with in 2024 as well and hopefully it's something you might want to add to your photography goals in the new year. - Mark D.
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💥 QUESTION: Do you set Photography specific goals each year?
Yes. And it's always to 'Take more pictures' lol
No but I probably should start.
What works for me is to frame them as "i am" rather than "I will, or I must" Great that my intention for 2024 is set as I am travelling to take photographs! Great video Mark, thank you John Shedd : "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
Learn a new technique. This year it's long exposures, and I'll be getting the Maven Wave 2 ND filter set.
Lots of them
I've been involved in photography most of my 72 years, but, within the last 6 months, I have concentrated all of my creative efforts on woodland/landscape photography. The irony of all of this is that I waited all of this time to retire so that I could do this one thing, but, now that I am here, through my own doing, I am next to broke, and it is very hard for me to go anywhere.
So, I'm taking what you are saying in its spirit, but I am doing something which is even more difficult... to me, at least. I am finding new ways to photograph my local city park. I'm starting on a journey to improve my landscape photography by photographing and rephotographing a 183 acre park. My goal is to improve enough that I can make a small run of calendars at the end of the year that I can pass out to family and friends. Nothing more, nothing less. ... and you are here helping me. Your videos are always an inspiration.
Even more ironic is the fact that I live in one of the most picturesque and scenic places in the world. 😀
Best to you in 2024.
I live in the Highlands of Scotland, love the fact we have no trespassing law here so we can explore everywhere! I'm debating adding more videos to my UA-cam and doing behind the scenes type content. I have started up a website and using that to upload more of my work and help grow my career. I love how in this country I can drive for an hour and my scenery can change hugely! Have you ever been to Scotland? Wish you all the best for 2024!! Feel like big things are coming for you! 😁
I had a beginning photography class a few years ago that gave us an assignment to go shoot every week. In the beginning everything was black and white. Now I have a geology class and we have a water scavenger hunt. We need photos of an ocean, river, stream, snow, rain, fog, clouds, dew, creek, well, ditch, pipe, pond, lake, reservoir, swamp, glacier field, and wetlands by the ocean to name a few. We also need to take pictures of mountains and explain why they are there.
What a blessing this has been as I set out after work or on the weekend to go get some photos in new locations. How do I creatively shoot a 4’ diameter water pipe or pond? I do my best and learn from what I shoot. One of my favorite finds was shooting in the very early morning at water reclamation ponds and capturing the reflection of the clouds in the pond. A keeper by just going to new places and taking pictures of things that I may never have taken before.
This has been my standard answer to many people that are quickly bored „there is nothing interesting in my area“ . „ have even checked your backyard?“
I dont like to travel abroad/far due to planning stress and lack of other hobby and relaxtime. After my burnout i had to realize i sinply need rest time weekly. Yet most joy i had in photography was when i went to a new random location in a 30min-1h drive from where i live. Low effort to reach but so much fun discovering that ravine or hill or whatever. Yes i live in switzerland and thats cheating, but going to the mountains is a 2-3h drive and im not even up high by that point.
That mantra netted me some strange eyes „what you dont travel to [abroad location far away xx] - how boring. Yet photographically and mentally, my strategy netted me the best results mentally and photographically.
Even sitting on a lical nature preserve lake shooting the birds i see was such a joy. And very relaxing.
I find not only inspiration, but focus when I travel. As you mentioned, I am there FOR photography. I am there to hunt compositions. Home holds too many distractions, comfort, and complacency. I don't set goals or resolutions though, as I feel like any time is a good time to adjust and improve.
Because of diminishing eye sight, I won’t be able to renew my license this September. Since most workshop locations in US are lengthy drives from airports, I’ve decided to get as many in as possible before then. I’ve signed up for one each month. I’ve also decided to give street photography a try since I can easy take a bus or train to cities.
I could not agree more! I grew more in photography and myself this year thru travel and photography. We hit the road in May and returned back to Florida in October and covered 17 states and 15k miles over that time. I can’t say I’d recommend people do that, but we definitely try to influence others to get out there and see more of our amazing country.
This is spot on! I got to travel around the country last year and got some amazing photos, HOWEVER, I also “traveled” to the produce section of my locally owned grocery store and, after asking permission, took some amazing pictures of their fruits and vegetables. It truly is all about using your imagination!
Mark, you couldn’t be more accurate. As the renown street photographer Arther Fellig said…”F8, and be there”!
I like the idea of keeping it simple. I live in the mountains of Colorado, so I really don't have to go far for new locations. Ive been lacking inspiration.
That works for me. My favorite four letter word-EASY
I totally agree with what you said. I've struggled over the past few years getting inspired to go take photos. When I was younger, I would grab my camera and just go take pictures. And I loved it, learned alot from it and improved dramatically. I am learning now how to post-process my images using Photoshop and Lightroom. But you can only do so much of that. I will take your suggestions on going to new place and just photograph and observe. It gets you outside enjoying nature and inspired. As always, I really do enjoy all of your videos and I have learned so much over the past year from you. Thank you very much.
Perfect timing on this video. I just got back from one of my favourite wooded areas and did not take one picture, had to ask myself "was there just nothing to photograph, or have i just started getting a little lazy" After watching you video, I now know what my new years resolution is going to be. Thank Mark!
Outstanding New Years resolution. I often FAIL to remember the lessons I know from Product Management when I'm taking a photo. Simplify, Iterate, and above all else FOCUS on your goal. Thanks Mark!
I'm glad to hear I don't have to leave my state. As an Australian, that's a 7 hour drive - one way. That would be one hell of a day trip. 😆
Love that way to improve using KIS method (Keep It Simple).
My resolution for 2024 is as simple and hopefully as effective: Slowing down.
The best advice for this new year to improve and inspire my photography journey. Thank you!
I explore a couple of areas but I never go to the same place twice within those areas. I'm in the UK so for me it's the Lake District, Glencoe and Snowdonia. Britain is a small place so it doesn't take much to see these places and they can be busy, but visiting areas away from the popular trails is the name of the game. It's very cheap to get into Europe too and travel about.
thanks for all the videos you upload in 2023 and happy new year Mark
I appreciate your clear teaching technique. Your suggestions are easily achievable. I remember reading about a photographer's challenge to take at least a single photo daily for a year. Clearly, the weather could be a challenge on some days, but one could take two photos to make it up. I far exceed that challenge on any given day, but the thought of taking a camera with me whenever I get in the car, even if going to the store, is a good one. You never know when the opportunity will arise to capture a moment. My personal long-term goal is to learn my current camera thoroughly, and only "Upgrade" my camera body when I see a clear improvement in that change.
Never let weather keep you from photography. I have gotten some great images in rain, snow and other weather including 110F in the desert. Good luck
Hi Mark, I won’t have to travel to Australia, as I live there, but you’re more than welcome to come. Travelling to more areas in my state has been something on my plans over the summer months. Have previously concentrated on the world heritage blue mountains area, I am now planning on chasing some photography from the south coast of NSW, in the autumn and early winter. Thanks for the great videos and have enjoyed the dodge and burn course!
Thanks for this great insight. One goal can drive many improvements. I am participating in a Dutch photo challenge because I needed new inspiration. Twice per week a new assignment. It makes me thinking and go out to get the best end result. And getting feedback on them from others pushes to improve even more. After watching your video I realized the triggering effect of the one simple goal. Thanks, and please continue making these valuable videos. They are very much appreciated. Regards, Rogier from the Netherlands)
Happy New Year from Michigan!!!!
Great ideas! It also helps to write down your goals(people have better chance of achieving their goals when written down). Enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the awesome work!
That's what I love about living in North Carolina. From my location, 30 min to 4 hours, there's limitless places to be inspired.
Good advice as I agree that I feel more inspired whenever I visit someplace new. However I find my images improve whenever I revisit a familiar place over and over again.
This is great advice Mark. I have made most of my portfolio with this exact method. My wife and I have a 4 hour radius and hit as many places as we can. Luckily there is enough diverse areas and scenes to help keep my portfolio from getting stale.
Another good video with great advice. I feel like I have learned something from all of your videos and you definitely do not waste my time. Good luck in 2024!
Hi Mark, great video with very pragmatic recommendations for the new year. Interestingly, I've envisioned myself visiting small towns and parks this year for photography reasons and without making it a resolution per se. So, it seems your suggestions are in line with what I've been imagining for myself. So, I'll consider it a validation of sorts. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Being in southern British Columbia, finding new locations is so easy. There are so many sights within an hour or two of driving. Even more so with a capable vehicle!
Mark
Really like your theme of do less and accomplish more. Also, your idea of being inspired by new locations,; works for me.
Perhaps a deliberate balance of your go to location with new locations may provide a measuring tool for how the improvements engendered by the inspiration of new locations is working for you and how so.
Happy Nee and Exciting Year
Dal
My photo goal this year is to take at least 5 solid photos that I like every week. I've been guilty of only taking pictures when I travel. I just got a new (used) camera (Nikon Z7) to upgrade from my D3400!
Great advice for 2024!
I figured this out, but by failing to feel inspired. I bought local photography hikes, I'm on positive trajectory with looooong way to go
Before you said your goal, the first thing I thought of was the same. New locations. It breaks up what can feel like monotony in my photography. New locations mean new experiences and new subjects that I have not seen before. There are locations that I do go to on a regular basis that I have visited many times because they change with the seasons, time of day, and different weather. But as you said, new locations really get my creative juices flowing. I had broken my neck last year and stuck close to home as I recover. As such I didn't go to many places. Many times not even coming home with one photo. I live in one of the most beautiful places in this country: Montana. It is the fourth largest state. So many photographic opportunities are available. As I get better, I plan on expanding again. Great video Mark!
Nice way to approach the new year Mark! Keeping it more simple and less cluttered we can see more clearly to achieve more than we would otherwise. 👍
Many thanks from here in England for a brilliant video. Your inspiration and knowledge is first class - long may it continue. Happy New Year Mark.
Thank you so very much for all you do, share and teach. I sincerely enjoy your videos and willingness to share. I've been behind a camera for over 60 years and will always want to learn and practice more. My simple goals, like yours have one small difference, though. Each month I give myself a topic or subject to shoot. It's never the same, one month I may select trees and the next month it will be something street, etc. Thus, when I do get the "big" travel opportunity, I don't feel too uncomfortable shooting something that I haven't already practiced. Please keep sharing and teaching.
sure do!
Simple but loaded with logic. Thinking about it, going to new locations opens up possibilities for getting excited about creating new images and trying new techniques. Thanks for the encouragement Mark.
Sounds like the one I have been meaning to do! Getting started is half done! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Mark that’s a great idea👍
Thanks for the inspirational New Years Resolution - I’m going to borrow it!
Total agree with you! In 2023 I have actually traveled to more new places than I had in my entire life before combined and I can attest to the improvement I feel in my photography: I try new techniques and styles of shooting that push me outside of my comfort zone. Previously, I had been mainly a tripod shooter: it was comfortable, I enjoyed it, the images I got were more likely to be technically better, but by visiting new locations, I don't always have that opportunity or time to use my tripod so it pushes me to be flexible, look for different angles and settings I would naturally want to use. Obviously, that inspiration of seeing new places helps A TON, but that push in having to be more flexible is what I think drives my improvement
Looks like my word of the year is going to be PRACTICE! Practice photography, practice handwriting, practice!
Thanks for this video, Mark. I live in Colorado and have barely explored half of it. It's time for me to get out there!
Thanks for sharing.
Here in Texas there are 254 Counties. I can. promise there are some counties devoid of any photogenic locations. That said, there are plenty of locations not terribly far from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.You might have a good idea. Thanks, Mark.
Thank you. I need to hear info like this as I am a new photographer looking how to start
Sounds like a nice one!
I always follow a motto of creative motivation:
For me this 2024 is “Let’s do this”
It’s a motto basically stating that, for every photographic desired idea I want to do I should not talk myself out of doing it because of all the excuses like “it’s too far” “I have to message that model” “I dunno if I have the time” and instead I just flat out say “Let’s do this! How can I make this possible?” And then go for it!
It’s only the 3rd day of the year and so far I’ve messaged that model and planned the next shoot with her and bought plane tickets to go shoot the eclipse!
Appreciate listening to your thoughts on exploring new locations and agree on the inspiration aspect which, as you said, ultimately helps to build one's photography and post processing skills. One thing though that I have been thinking more often about, is my hobby's "carbon footprint". How can I better manage my trips to combine activities and not just drive willy nilly to try and "get the shot". I have been combining my outdoor volunteer activities and hiking adventures with photography sessions. Trying to drive no more than an hour one way and really doing better planning before I go. Taking a deeper dive into why l want to go to place x,y,z. It is likely somebody has been wherever "there" is and has posted about it multiple times. So I read and review and really decide if I want to make a trek or not. I am also reminding myself that every sun and moon rise and set is gonna be different even though the location I pick is the same! Anyway, keep the videos coming and I really really appreciate how you keep your videos concise, direct, and less than 15 minutes! So many other UA-camrs should take a lesson ! Happy 2024.
An excellent New Years Resolution. Even though i can't walk rough ground any more I can still take a telephoto lens to isolate sections of the landscape. I'm lucky really with the ocean, rivers, cities and 2,000ft rugged granite moorland within half an hours drive.
I think your productivity goals is a legacy of your corporate life. Too many goals at once, I have found for myself, is a way to paralyze and not get any of them done
I have thought about self improvement in the quality of my images. Just a bit more attention to the basics when out taking photos. Fewer, better photos and not trying to overcome issues by the volume of photos I take. But then again, I enjoy clicking away 😂😂
Great idea
Great advice
great stuff brother i took away a lot!!
You need to come over to Australia for a photography holiday
I suggest, again, that you explore West Virginia.
Living in Chicago, I suffer from an abundance of subject matter …. which I realized is, to me, paralyzing.
Listening to your video (while unpacking in my new residence), “photograph in every neighborhood” popped into my head -- so that’s my 2024 “Create New Outdoor Images” goal. (I have 2 others: “Create New Indoor Images”, as well as “Find the Keepers in My Back Catalog” “.)
Q1’s frequency goal will be one neighborhood per month. I’m going with a “low threshold to success”, so I don’t overwhelm myself & give up.
Thanks!
Living in a big city you can also experiment with timelapses of car light trails at twilight or even the trains or train stations(elevated trains), or even sunrise or sunset over Lake Michigan, just a few ideas. I lived in Illinois(not far from Chicago). Just a few ideas, don't know if you've tried them or not, something to think about anyway.
Thank you for your video. Yes I am always looking for something new in my province but I still go back to some favourite spots because I am still not happy with the past images of those spots.
My 2024 goals start similar to yours, do more photography, follow by studying for my CPP (Not sure how that would help long term, but I already committed to it) and establish my photo business.
Thanks as always for your advise.
Turn "do more photography" into SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Specific - target a specific area for improvement.
Measurable - quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress, set milestones.
Achievable - realistically achievable with available resources and timeframe (be honest with yourself).
Relevant - aligns with your ultimate goals/interests.
Time-bound - set deadlines for milestones and completion of goal.
get out more, experiment, I am learning alternative printing processing and thinking about wet and dry plate photography. Hey happy new year , Keep up the good work!
Great resolution. You’ll also get better at planning, using maps, Google Earth, apps like PhotoPills, weather forecasts, etc.
Love the video!!!!!!!!!!! 😁
Thanks Har!!
Thinking5 about doing better in photography setting goals is good. Also, being a well rounded photographer, in addition to your niche is important too. Each area of -holography can enhance other areas. Landscape can lead to intimate landscape to wildlife to birding to sports and action to people/ street photography to portrait. Architecture and Astro photography can help,to slow one down, in a good way for composition. I guess what I am saying is practice your most loved but practice the other areas to to make yourself an overall better photographer. This will help,to avoid any burnout doldrums.
Great reminder and great video - my goal is to visit more suburbs in my city for street photography in 2024
In fact I was so inspired by this that this morning I just sat down with my 9yr old son and made him watch it with me. He too is in to photography and this is a perfect resolution / goal for 2024. Thank you so much for your content.
i just join a photo club. great
Just Subscribed to your channel, im definitely excited for 2024! I noticed the format of your Lightroom is very different than mine... Can you please tell me which program is the best for photos editing and why is my lightroom format looks so different? Thank you very much!
Hi Mark. Thank you for all your great video’s. I hope to restart my photography this year. Could you please point me to a good vidéo about how to organise photos in Lightroom?
I'm doing Project 365 - a photo a day.
Well. My goal is to take photos every day. Whether i get some work or not.. i want to get good.
After all this time I've just realized that your name is actually Denney and not Deeney. I've been living a lie...
I see the game boy is back! 🪺