If you are feeling stuck in your photography game or looking for some new inspiration, I advise you to check Instagram for a photography challenge. You will find some accounts that launch weekly challenges. Pick the one that suits you best for the type of photography, deadlines etc. because it will help you with the following:
#1: Take you out of your comfort zone:
Most photography challenges will ask you to do a specific type of photography, use a subject or get inspired by other photographers or creators. So, one or more of these indications will challenge you to try new things or approaches to a similar subject. Therefore, it is a refreshing way of doing something different and capturing powerful images.
#2: Learn new techniques
Most of the time, the challenges come with a mood board that shows you to do a pour shot, movement shot, etc. Some of the judges will also add some mini reels with an explanation for the technical challenge. Therefore, you will have to learn new things to achieve the result.
Some challenges will focus on a more minimalistic approach to main subjects, others will be using negative space, composition techniques like the rule of thirds, etc.
#3: Get inspired by other fellow photographers
If you follow the challenge hashtag, you will see how other creators approach the same idea or challenge, so you can get inspired by how an idea could get so many different results and interpretations. It is my favourite part to navigate through all the images and be amazed by all the unique talents.
You could learn so many new skills by looking at single images.
#4: Connect we other peers
As you navigate the other fellow contestant, you can connect with another professional photographer to show your admiration or also connect with others located in your city so you could make a friendship and talk about a future collaboration.
This creative world sometimes could be so lonely that it is very grateful to find people with the same struggles as you can share more about your creative process. Also is a great way to build future partnerships on a more professional level.
#5: Win the challenge
The last thing you could do at the end of the challenge is winning it, which will be an excellent shout-out for your social media account and portfolio. Maybe you will have a good chance to grab a new photography project.
Don’t be afraid of not having the best camera out there, some of the best pictures have been taken with smartphone cameras so don’t hesitate to participate. The idea is to challenge yourself and learn different techniques, and different light and grab as many photography ideas as you can. The idea behind all of these fun photo challenges is to be a creative outlet and share your love of photography.
Next time you see new photo competitions, be open mind and participate.