Looking for a way to make yourself consistently use your camera? In this post, I’ll discuss some time-based photo challenge ideas to help you do just that!
What is a photo challenge?
A photo challenge is a fun way to help yourself work on your photography.
Merriam-Webster defines photography (noun) as “the art or process of producing images…” and a challenge (noun) as a “stimulating task or problem”. Alas, I’m going to say that a photo challenge by definition can be a stimulating task to help improve your process of producing images and creating art.
Photo challenges can help you practice your photography more, stimulate your creativity, and ultimately help you become a better photographer.
As someone who has been working on her photography for decades, the #1 thing that made me the most consistent with my camera that I have ever been in my life was my commitment to a photo challenge.
And not just any photo challenge, it was a long-term photo-a-day challenge. For that reason, I will always recommend time-based challenges to anyone who is looking to use their camera more consistently.
3 Time-based Photo Challenge Ideas
PHOTO-A-DAY challenges
A photo-a-day challenge is a challenge in which you commit to sharing or taking a photo-a-day for a pre-determined amount of time.
Some of the most common time frames for photo-a-day challenges are 30-day photo challenges, 100-day photo challenges, and 365-day photo challenges.
Photo-a-day challenges are GREAT to help you become more consistent with your photography. We all have limited hours in the day and if you’ve been fed up with yourself for not prioritizing your photography for a long time (ahem, I’ve been there myself), then a photo-a-day challenge can be an excellent way to help you FOCUS on your photography.
PHOTO-A-WEEK challenges
A photo-a-week or weekly photo challenge is a great alternative to a photo-a-day challenge. Similarly to a photo-a-day challenge, a weekly challenge is a challenge in which you take or share a picture once a week.
You can set your weekly photo challenge up in a couple of ways:
- Weekly photo outing: you can challenge yourself to use your camera once a week. That’s it. Simply pick it up and use it once a week.
- Weekly photo prompt: you can have a weekly photo prompt that you try to capture a good picture for. You can use your camera once a week to accomplish your task or use your camera several times to get a good picture for your prompt. It’s up to you!
Weekly challenges can feel less overwhelming and more manageable. If you have a lot on your plate, a weekly photo challenge can be a great “task” to assign yourself to prioritize your photography more consistently.
As for how long your weekly photo challenge can be, it’s up to you. The most common weekly photo challenge that I am aware of is the 52-week photo challenge. But of course, you can choose any number of weeks you’d like to commit to… 4-weeks, 8-weeks, 12-weeks, etc.
I’d recommend a weekly photo challenge if you’re looking for a way to stay consistent with your camera long-term but a photo-a-day challenge feels unrealistic for where you’re at in your life right now.
PHOTO-A-MONTH Challenges
Similarly to the two challenges discussed above, you can commit to a photo-a-month challenge for a pre-determined amount of time.
Sometimes, I’ve found it fun to focus on a topic for a month. Then try to create a really good picture that symbolizes that topic.
Your topics could include types of photography (street, documentary, portraits, nature, etc.), seasonal photography (capturing a picture that symbolizes each month of the year), topics in photography (light, composition, etc.), or technical challenges (using one focal length, etc.).
With a photo a month challenge, you can aim to get out once a month or you can take pictures multiple times that month to achieve your desired monthly picture.
To see benefits from a photo-a-month challenge, I’d recommend committing to it for at least 6 months to a year. This challenge is great for someone who is busy but still wants to work on their photography. It’s not the best to help you consistently create but it’s a good way to keep your photography on your radar.
Recommended read: 8 Reasons You Should Do a Photo Challenge
Summary: Photo challenge ideas to help you use your camera more consistently
If you love photography and you’re having a hard time getting out to use your camera, I’d recommend giving a photo challenge a go! If your goal is to become more consistent with your camera, I will always recommend a time-based photo challenge.
Love photography and want to work on it daily? Try a photo-a-day photo challenge.
Need a push to pick up your camera at least once a week? Try a weekly photo challenge.
Busy but looking for a way to keep creating despite it? Try a photo-a-month photo challenge.
