New Year's Resolutions for Photographers

Just had an email from PortraitPro with what seems a reasonable set of new year resolutions...

"This year I will...

Inhale, Exhale, Shoot
This is a handy little tip for reducing shake. Breathe in normally, slightly depress the shutter button and then, about half way through your exhale, take the shot.
As well as helping to get a steady image, thinking about your breathing as you shoot also gives you a little moment to make sure the image is perfect. Rather than just snapping away, it encourages you to focus and think carefully about each shot.

See More Photography
Visit galleries and exhibitions, pick up photography books from your local bookstore or library, check out artist's websites, even look at catalogues and adverts.
As you're looking at all of these photographs, try and figure out what does (or doesn't) make them engaging. Do they elicit an emotional response? If so, why?
When you're just starting out, it's easy to feel that you're not qualified to have an opinion. Have confidence in yourself and let your tastes grow and change over time.
Now turn this critical eye to your own practice and use it to refine and improve your work.

Step Outside of My Comfort Zone
If you put all of your images in one big album, what patterns would you see? Maybe you always shoot in the studio or in the city. Perhaps you mostly take group portraits.
This year, embrace change and force yourself to go against your pattern. You might discover that this new perspective gives you new inspiration.

Do More 'Projects'
Focusing on a sustained project is a great way to motivate and inspire yourself. First, pick a topic. This should be something that is achievable but that will encourage you to stretch yourself and to think creatively.
Decide on a time-frame. Will you give yourself a week to complete the project? A month? A year? This will determine the size and scope of your project.
The next step is to decide how you will know that the project is finished. Are you just building an online gallery of images or are you going to print and mount them as well?
Finally, get out there and start working!

Get My Work Seen
If photography is your career then you know how important exposure can be for building a client base. Even if you are a hobbyist, it can be immensely satisfying to connect with someone over an image that you have made.
Talk to galleries or public spaces in your area to see if they would be willing to let you exhibit your work. Coffee shops or even waiting rooms can be great places to get your work seen.
Maybe it's time to revamp your website or you might want to share your images through social media. If you're worried about protecting your work, check out this user-made tutorial to learn how to make a watermark effect in Smart Photo Editor

Meet New People
It's easy to get into the habit of the lone photographer, but photography is a great way to make new friends and connections.
See if your area has a photography society or camera club or start your own. Chat to people when you're shopping for equipment.
Get in touch with people in related fields, such as make-up artists or scenographers. You never know when you might meet someone who will go on to help you make your career. "


Hope you think it was worth a look through

"Inhale, Exhale, Shoot
This is a handy little tip for reducing shake. Breathe in normally, slightly depress the shutter button and then, about half way through your exhale, take the shot. "


They forget to mention that you should pause your exhale half way though before pressing the shutter button, and if you really want to hone it down wait until between heartbeats too

As for new years resolutions, stopped doing them years ago. I let things come naturally now

Most people tense up when they hold their breath, no matter how short the period, and that cause some movement while they depress the shutter.

It seems it is better to release the shutter while exhaling.

too drunk

My new years resolution was not to make any resolutions I couldn't keep, so far I've not broken it.