A fun idea: start a photography project based on your passions or side hobbies!
Gallo Boxing
For example in 2014, I was living in East Lansing, Michigan (not that much to shoot on the streets) and I was feeling unmotivated in my photography.
I then got an idea:
What if I could photograph my side hobbies, passions, or something I was interested in?
At the time I was quite interested in boxing, so I just literally went to a boxing gym (Gallo boxing in Lansing, Michigan) and asked if I could just hang around and take photos. The manager and the guys there were totally cool with it, and I started to shoot!
Team Tufunga
Another project was when I was really into powerlifting, while living in Berkeley. I went religiously to the local gym in Emeryville (Team Tufunga), and just brought along my RICOH GR II, shot in RAW and applied ERIC KIM MONOCHROME 1600 preset afterwards:
The takeaway is this:
Identify what your pre-existing hobbies and passions are (besides photography). Then you can choose that to be the topic of your photography project or essay.
Also,
Start a photo project or essay on a subculture you’re interested or curious about! Enter the place with an open mind, and discover the subculture as you’re photographing it!
In other words,
Use the camera as a tool to document your own life, and use it as a tool to empower you to pursue what you’re curious or interested in!
BE BRAZEN,
ERIC