The power of weekly exercises: Simple ways to keep your photography skills sharp

As photographers, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and forget about the importance of regularly exercising our skills. But just like our bodies, our creative muscles need regular exercise to stay sharp and in top form. That's where weekly exercises come in.

Weekly exercises are short, focused assignments or challenges that help you practice and improve specific skills. They can be as simple as setting a goal to take one photo every day for a week, or as complex as creating a series of images based on a specific theme. The key is to make them fun and engaging, so you'll be motivated to complete them.

But why are weekly exercises so important for photographers? Here are a few benefits of incorporating them into your routine:

1. Improved skills: The most obvious benefit of weekly exercises is that they help you improve your skills. By regularly practicing and challenging yourself, you'll be able to progress more quickly and become a stronger photographer.

2. Increased creativity: Weekly exercises can also help increase your creativity. By setting specific goals and challenges, you'll be forced to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. This can help break you out of a creative rut and keep your work fresh and interesting.

3. Enhanced problem-solving skills: Photography is all about problem-solving. From finding the right angle to composing the perfect shot, photographers are constantly faced with challenges. Weekly exercises can help you develop your problem-solving skills by forcing you to come up with solutions to specific challenges.

4. Better time management: Weekly exercises can also help improve your time management skills. By setting a specific goal and deadline, you'll be forced to prioritize and manage your time effectively. This can be especially helpful for those who struggle with procrastination or finding the time to practice their craft.

So, now that you know the benefits of weekly exercises, how do you get started? Here are a few simple steps to follow:

1. Set a specific goal for each week. One of the most important steps in incorporating weekly exercises into your routine is setting a specific goal for each week. This will help you focus your efforts and stay motivated. So, take some time to think about what skills you want to improve and set a clear goal for yourself. This could be something as specific as practicing your composition skills or as general as improving your lighting techniques. By setting a specific goal, you'll have a clear target to work towards and be more likely to stick with your exercises. So, take the time to determine what skills you want to focus on and set a clear goal for yourself. This will help you stay motivated and make the most of your weekly exercises.

2. Get creative: Don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with your exercises. The more you enjoy them, the more likely you are to stick with them. Try setting a theme each week, such as "abstract" or "black and white," and see what kind of images you can come up with. Or, challenge yourself to take a photo every day for a week using only your smartphone. The possibilities are endless!

3. Share your progress: Share your progress and results with other photographers or in a photography group. This will not only help you stay accountable, but it will also give you the opportunity to get feedback and see how your work compares to others. You might even find some new friends or collaborators along the way!

4. Make it a habit: The key to success with weekly exercises is to make them a regular part of your routine. Set aside a specific time each week to work on them, and stick to it. You might find it helpful to schedule your exercises on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone.

5. Keep track of your progress: Make sure to keep track of your progress and results. This will help you see how far you've come and where you need to improve. You might even find that you have a whole portfolio of images at the end of a few months!

By incorporating weekly exercises into your routine, you'll be amazed at how quickly your skills improve. So, don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with them. Happy shooting!

And if you're still feeling stuck and not sure where to start, here are a few ideas for weekly exercises to get you going:

1. Take one photo every day for a week using only your smartphone.

2. Experiment with different lighting setups for one week.

3. Create a series of images based on a specific theme, such as "abstract" or "black and white."

4. Practice shooting in manual mode for one week.

5. Try a new genre of photography, such as portrait, landscape, or still life.

Remember, the key is to make your weekly exercises fun and engaging. So, get creative and have fun with them! Happy shooting!