Now is the time to start making plans for your photographic future. Not big plans. A sort of a spring clean. And when we talk abut “future” we should be thinking of the near future – not your dreams over the next 10 years.

The worst thing you can do in photography is to stop taking photographs. It is the lifeblood of the hobby. Cameras are built to take photographs and images (although, these days, cameras often do other things as well).

Without taking images, you may as well forget your hobby. Let it lie fallow. Perhaps you can do photo manipulation on your computer or get involved in online discussions. Perhaps there are other things that occupy your time.

But what is the use of a camera if you don’t take images?

So, make a resolution to yourself that you will get out there and take some images. Don’t set a specific target. And, whatever you decide make it achievable. Small steps are more likely to happen than giant leaps.

Assume, for example, that over the last 6 months you took 100 images. Then plan to double this if possible. Or perhaps plan to ensure that you take the same number but of better quality. Or perhaps plan to enter a competition, make a gallery or share photos with friends. Perhaps join a camera club or online discussion group like The Shutter.

What about extending your photographic skills – take a landscape, portrait or action shot where you wouldn’t normally have done. Use more of your equipment or take images in different ways.

Whatever you do, make plans to rekindle your photography and put a little extra spark into your hobby.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

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