Beyond the Frame 4/

The unexpected benefits of personal photography projects

Jun 28, 2024

All projects are personal, aren’t they?

Well, they probably ought to be.

The phrase “personal project” is typically used to describe a series of images made by a photographer when they’re not working on a paid commission.

Rob Haggart, formerly a Director of Photography for Men’s Journal magazine runs the Photo Editor website where hundreds of personal projects can be found. Each one includes this introduction:

“The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own.”

Should you be looking for inspiration for a personal project, the aPhotoEditor website is an excellent place to start:

New York Song Lyric Locations

53rd Street and 3rd Avenue, New York — from the Ramones song — “Dee Dee Ramone Corner” at 53rd Street and 3rd Avenue — from the Ramones song

In Tuesday’s newsletter I wrote about a personal project that I worked on in New York this week.

The idea was prompted by hearing Suzanne Vega’s song, Tom’s Diner. I compiled a list of nine songs which also feature specific New York locations in their lyrics.

Tom’s Restaurant — of the Suzanne Vega song and TV show Seinfeld

Tom’s Restaurant audio

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I expected that this list of random locations would take me to places in New York that I’ve not visited before. But it also introduced me to people and experiences that I could never have predicted.

Michael

110th Street is a great example. Typically, there’d be no reason for me to take the 6 train uptown to 110th & Lexington. It was only the imperative of this 48-hour project that got me on board.

At first glance, 110th Street is unremarkable and arguably not the most glamorous part of Manhattan. I made some photos but was struggling to find inspiration. I needn’t have worried. Inspiration found me in the form of Michael Watts.

“That’s a good mural.” A friendly comment from a passer-by walking his dog.

Don’t be fooled by New Yorkers claiming they’re all brusque and dismissive. There are few places in the world where I’ve found people more eager to start a friendly conversation.

Michael Watts — A memorable meeting with a remarkable man (and his dog)

Michael and I chatted. He’s also a photographer and a Marine veteran. Connie is his service dog.

Michael’s story is his to tell and if you walk down 110th Street you may be lucky enough to bump into him and perhaps he’ll swap stories with you too.

Suffice to say, if you do meet Michael, I’ve no doubt that you will feel as humbled by the conversation as I did. Humbled, honoured and inspired.

It’s mind-boggling to me that a photographer living in Switzerland would randomly find himself on an anonymous street in Manhattan at the precise moment necessary to meet a man whose powerful story of resilience and determination would shift the course of my day profoundly. Thank you, Michael.

Raphael

A little further up the street I met Raphael.

“I’m 91 years old.”

I took my cue.

“No way. I think you’re 58.”

Raphael took out his wallet and pointed at the date of birth on his driving licence.

I had been photographing a leaking fire hydrant that was spraying gallons of water in a street-wide fountain. I was conscious that the sun was in danger of disappearing behind a cloud but Raphael’s life story was not quickly told and he’d decided that I should hear it all.

And you know what? That was perfectly fine. The light would come and go, as it always does, but Raphael is one in a million — one in 7.8 billion! Sometimes you have to surrender to what fate brings and appreciate the gift that’s been offered.

I like to imagine Raphael returning home to tell his wife (“married 67 years”) about his encounter with an English photographer. She’d raise her eyes, shake her head and ask, “You showed him your driving licence, didn’t you?”

Queensboro Bridge — The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel

So I succeeded in my mission to visit and photograph each of the nine locations. Looking back on a hot, steamy and tiring 48 hours, I’m appreciating that the photography turned out to be secondary. This is often the case. The camera takes me to places I might otherwise never see and introduces me to people I would not otherwise meet. It’s a multi-functional tool that makes photos and, more importantly, opens doors.

Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry

I’ve posted the full set of 18 images in a Beyond the Frame Note.

Quantum Entanglement

A long-term project that has just reached its 52nd week is one that I started with my splendid friend Debbie Oakes.

The idea is simple but effective. We each take a photo every day. There’s no theme, we don’t discuss the photos in advance, there’s no limitation or restriction. We don’t see each other’s photo until we’ve both made our image for the day.

We combine our two images and allow serendipity to contribute. The resulting diptych is often greater than the sum of the parts.

As we approach the one year anniversary of the project, I’ve learned that collaborating with a friend provides excellent motivation. Neither of us have ever missed a day because we’re relying on each other.

I’ve also noticed that the imperative to take a photo every day has made me significantly more aware of photo opportunities. I no longer simply walk to the supermarket, get on a bus or go to a cafe. Every activity has become one where I’m looking for photo opportunities. My observation has improved, my awareness has increased.

I’m not sure what we will do at the end of the year. Perhaps we’ll begin another project. The year’s images provide a fascinating visual diary, which is good enough reason to recommend it as a project idea. More than that though, the process has shifted my awareness in unexpected ways and that’s been a valuable benefit.

If you have a personal project that you’d like to share, please feel free to leave details in a comment or in the chat.

Beyond the Frame