Final Project

0:47

Listen to this lesson.

You’ve been showing up for months. You’ve tried new things, taken on weekly challenges, worked through blocks, and built a solid body of work. Now it’s time to bring it all together and create something that feels like your own.

Your final project is whatever you want it to be. It could be a series, a single image, a zine, a portrait study, a visual diary, or something else entirely. What matters is that it feels intentional. This is your chance to take everything you’ve learned so far and use it to make something that reflects where you are right now and what you care about.

You don’t need to be finished to start sharing.

CONTINUE TO ONGOING PRACTICE ↓

1:58

Listen to this lesson.

Just because you’ve finished the class doesn’t mean you have to stop here. Continued practice and exercises will only make you a stronger photographer. I challenge myself with exercises regularly. Below you’ll find some of my favorite ways to keep my eye and skills sharp.

Constrained Shooting Exercises

Constrained shooting is an excellent way to work on your photography skills. By removing certain variables and focusing on specific limitations, you can sharpen your creativity and problem-solving abilities. These constraints force you to think more critically about composition, lighting, and subject matter, encouraging you to explore new perspectives and techniques.

This method of practice helps to develop a deeper understanding of your equipment and its capabilities, ultimately making you a more versatile and skilled photographer.

Here are some constrained shooting exercises to try out for yourself:

Filter

One Hour, One Block
Spend an hour photographing within a single city block.
Time-basedSubject
Single Lens Day
Use only one fixed focal length lens for all your shots in a day.
Camera settings
Fixed Focal Length
Shoot all your photos at a single focal length, no zooming.
Camera settingsComposition
One Object Challenge
Choose one object and photograph it in 10 different ways.
Subject
Black and White Only
Shoot exclusively in black and white.
Camera settings
24 Shots, No Deletions
Limit yourself to 24 shots like a roll of film, and don't delete any.
Time-basedCamera settings
Single Aperture
Use the same aperture setting for every photo.
Camera settings
No Zooming
Use only the zoom you get by physically moving closer or further from your subject.
Camera settingsComposition
Only Vertical Shots
Take all your photos in portrait orientation.
Composition
Single Subject
Choose one subject and focus all your shots on it for a day.
Subject
One Color Dominance
Photograph scenes where one color dominates the frame.
SubjectComposition
Fixed ISO
Set your camera to a single ISO and keep it there for the whole shoot.
Camera settings
Low Angle Only
Shoot all your photos from a low angle.
Composition
No Post-Processing
Take photos you commit to not editing afterward.
Camera settings
Single Location
Spend an entire shoot session in one location without moving.
Time-basedSubject
One Light Source
Use only one light source for all your shots.
Light
Manual Focus Only
Use only manual focus for your entire shoot.
Camera settings
Reflections Only
Capture only reflections in various surfaces.
SubjectComposition
Only Shadows
Focus exclusively on capturing shadows.
SubjectLight
Single Shutter Speed
Use only one shutter speed for all your shots.
Camera settings
Minimalist Shots
Create images with as few elements in the frame as possible.
Composition
Single Lens Filter
Use the same lens filter for every photo in the shoot.
Camera settings
One Prop
Incorporate a single prop in all your images.
Subject
Fixed White Balance
Set your camera to one white balance setting and keep it there.
Camera settings
Double Exposure
Create a series of double exposures in-camera.
Camera settings
One Theme
Choose a theme like solitude or tension and stick to it entirely.
Subject
Slow Shutter Only
Use long exposures for all your photos.
Camera settingsLight
Daytime Silhouettes
Capture only silhouettes during daylight hours.
SubjectLight
Low Key Photography
Focus on creating low-key, predominantly dark images.
LightComposition
One Time of Day
Shoot all your photos during a specific window, like golden hour or midday.
Time-basedLight
Single Color Backgrounds
Use backgrounds of a single color for all your photos.
CompositionSubject
Textures Only
Focus exclusively on capturing different textures.
SubjectComposition
No Autofocus
Turn off autofocus and manually adjust for every single shot.
Camera settings
One Camera Mode
Use a single camera mode like aperture priority for everything.
Camera settings
Monochromatic Scenes
Shoot scenes that are predominantly one color throughout.
SubjectComposition
Environmental Portraits
Take portraits exclusively in a single type of environment.
SubjectComposition
In-Camera Effects Only
Use only in-camera effects for any creative processing.
Camera settings
No Flash
Avoid using flash for all your photos, regardless of the conditions.
Light
High Angle Only
Capture all your photos from a high angle.
Composition
Through an Object
Shoot all your photos through another object, like glass, a window, or foliage.
CompositionSubject
Macro Only
Use only a macro lens or macro mode for every shot.
Camera settingsSubject
Same Subject, Different Times
Photograph the same subject at multiple different times of the day.
Time-basedSubject
Zoom Lens, Fixed Length
Use a zoom lens but keep it locked at one focal length.
Camera settings
Single Aspect Ratio
Use one aspect ratio for every shot, like 1:1 or 16:9.
CompositionCamera settings
One Background
Use the same background for all your photos.
SubjectComposition
Only Natural Light
Use only available natural light, no flash, no artificial sources.
Light
Long Exposure Day
Use long exposures for every shot throughout the day.
Camera settingsLight
Manual Mode Only
Shoot entirely in manual mode, every setting dialed by hand.
Camera settings
Same Frame Composition
Keep the same basic framing and composition for all your photos.
Composition
Fixed Perspective
Shoot all your photos from the same perspective, like eye level or bird's eye.
Composition

General Photography Exercises

While constrained shooting is a great way to challenge yourself, there are plenty of more open photography exercises that will also give you some focus and direction.

These exercises can encourage experimentation and exploration while still providing a framework to guide your creativity. Open exercises allow for more flexibility and personal expression, helping you to discover your unique style and voice as a photographer.

Here are some ideas:

Filter

Write Your Name
Find each letter of your name, or objects that can be framed to look like one. Edit them together to spell it out.
Conceptual
Shape Study
Choose a shape (circle, square, triangle) and photograph objects that naturally fit it.
Composition
Same Location, Different Light
Photograph the same location at different times of day to capture how the light changes.
Technique
Texture Series
Make a series showcasing different textures: smooth, rough, soft, hard.
Subject
Reflections
Photograph reflections found in puddles, mirrors, windows, and other surfaces.
Subject
Color Gradient
Photograph objects that create a gradient of colors when placed or shot together.
Conceptual
Motion Blur
Use long exposures to capture motion blur in a scene.
Technique
Through an Object
Photograph your subject through another object: a glass, a hole, a fence, foliage.
Composition
Extreme Close-Up
Use macro or extreme close-ups to highlight fine details in everyday objects.
Technique
Symmetry
Find and photograph symmetrical scenes or objects.
Composition
Silhouettes
Photograph subjects in silhouette against a bright background.
Technique
Natural Frames
Use windows, arches, doorways, or other openings to frame your subject within the photo.
Composition
Forced Perspective
Create photos that play with perspective to make subjects appear larger or smaller than they are.
Composition
Portrait Reflections
Photograph people reflected in various surfaces.
Subject
Double Exposure
Create double exposure photos either in-camera or through editing.
Technique
Faces in Places
Find and photograph scenes or objects that subtly resemble human faces.
Conceptual
Make It Monumental
Photograph small objects in a way that makes them appear massive and imposing.
Composition
All Angles
Photograph a single subject from as many different angles and perspectives as you can.
Subject

Next Steps

I hope you all enjoyed the class, and are feeling more confident in your own skills. Remember art is an ongoing practice, and having a helpful community is a great way to keep yourself motivated and progressing.

I highly recommend still popping in to the Discord, joining our regular feedback sessions, and participating in 52 Weeks!

Lastly, I’d ask that if you felt there was any sort of value in the course for you, that you’d consider donating to Focal Point. This entire project is completely volunteer, but does cost money to keep running, so we really rely on donations from participants to keep it going. Thank you all! It’s been a joy!

Thank you!

Enjoying the course? Consider donating!

Your donations keep the course alive and free for all.

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Ongoing Practice

Constrained Shooting Exercises

General Photography Exercises

Next Steps