In Depth: The Importance of Creative Projects on Film

More than being one of the best ways to get out of burnout, creative projects can lead to a deeper knowledge of film photography or even ourselves as film shooters. Whether it's a small, short-term project or a thought-out long-term one, we can benefit a lot from doing work that stimulates our creativity and also demands consistency.

In this in-depth article, we're talking about creative film-related projects as a way to grow as a film shooter or an artist. We're also referencing and sharing a few projects by our community members, and more.

Why Choosing a Theme Matters

Conceptualizing and working on creative projects gives us the space to learn more about film and develop a deeper connection with our own craft. When it comes to committing to creative projects, coming up with a theme can help us narrow our work down and give our learning experience a structure. By following a theme, we can also develop consistency by being less overwhelmed with information or ideas.

Alternative Processes

Creative projects don't have to be grandiose or costly, and sometimes the simpler the concept, the better we can commit to a project. Some small-scale project ideas include trying out a simple alternative analogue process such as cyanotype or lumen prints.

Alternative analogue processes is a unique world in itself, and exploring creative projects through camera-less photography allows us to learn more about the foundations of photography through hands-on experience. Compared to projects that include elaborate concepts, photoshoots and a range of film stocks and cameras, alternative processes can sometimes cost less and take less time.

Some inspiring albums from our community members include community member @juanmarinoarg's album My Medicine which gave alternative processes a deeply personal twist and @lomodesbro's Lumen Prints which showcases his experimentations and evolving mastery of the craft.

Personal Projects

Alternatively, you can also focus on personal projects. This could mean trying out different cameras or film stocks to spice up your shooting, or using personal narratives as a driving force for the photos, such as in artist Sarah Berglund's photobook project Friend of a Friend, a mixed-media photobook about a memorable period in the artist's life.

Projects like these can help us refuel our interest or passion for film photography by giving us a guide or a main idea to follow instead of shooting on a whim. They can also stand the test of time, becoming something unexpected and surprising us with the power of film photography to document the different eras of our lives. One example is Lomographer @nekoo's Olympus Trip 300, which they started in the early 2010s and concluded after a decade.

The photographer describes the album:

Finally got around to having an old roll of film (Fujicolor 200) developed. It was sitting in my Olympus Trip 300 stored at room temperature for over 10 years. I think I took the majority of these photos around 2012/2013. The idea for the heart-shaped mask came from some Lomography tips I found back then. I like the effect and might try it with different shapes in the future. I don't remember what was the original intent behind the photos but I'm guessing I wanted to photograph my favorite things and my late cat. I think it serves as a nice snapshot of the early 2010s hipster and twee fashion and tastes (now dubbed "indie sleaze"). The last photos on the roll (all with a distinct pink hue) I took now, in 2024.

Concept Photoshoots

Of course, one of the easiest ways to execute a creative project is by creating concept photoshoots. From the planning stage to the actual shoot, concept shoots can be an immersive experience with a measurable deadline, giving our work more structure. In concept photoshoots, we can hire models and/or assistants to achieve our vision, or even involve fellow film photographers such as in film swaps like those that @makethisadouble initiate.

Through creative projects, we also get to merge different hobbies or interests, or even just have an outlet for emotional expression and a way to spice up our hobbies. We hope that these photos and projects inspired you!

What projects are you currently working on? Share them with us below!

written by sylvann on 2025-05-11 #culture #in-depth #beginner #creative-projects Share Article