a jumble of a variety of film, digital, and instant cameras

Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

By Kary Schumpert

I had a bit of a slump in 2024 in terms of both writing and photography and I want to dig out of that lull. From past experience, I realize broadcasting some resolutions doesn’t really help either. Instead, I want to be kind to myself and brainstorm my way out of a funk. I want to come back to this list and do the ones that feel right at the moment. I may not complete all of them, but that is beside the point. I want some structure, but with flexibility. I want some inspiration, not shame because I didn’t get to everything. I also want some ideas when I can’t think of something. If any of these ideas help you, I am so glad. Let’s dig out together, shall we?

1. Write for 35mmc

One of my favorite things in 2023 was to write for 35mmc. I wrote a few pieces and had a blast coming up with article ideas and then scouring through my old photos to accompany the words. It was both fun and nerve-wracking. It’s hard to put yourself out there when there are so many with so much experience. I don’t want to pose as some kind of expert when I am not. I worried about sharing photos in a community of photographers. All of that worry was for naught. If anything, people were kind and encouraging. When I wrote about an older DSLR, people didn’t seem to mind. Even if 35mmc was founded on film photography and compact cameras, you can see that in over 10 years there are many articles about many different cameras and types of photography. In a world where the word community gets thrown around a lot, I would argue that there is a true community here in 35mmc, and a welcoming community. Write about your favorite camera, your favorite technique, or your favorite lens. If you feel less than excited about a technical article, dig into a reflection or essay. If you feel less than wordy, go for a one-shot story. Look through your old photos and maybe you will get an idea, or take out a new or old camera and start with the images that will spur on the words. Beyond this article, I definitely plan to write for 35mmc more.

five plastic Holga cameras on a wooden floor

2. Celebrate a Photography Holiday like Jankuary, Holga Week, or Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day

Do you have a favorite camera or type of photography? Do a little internet sleuthing and see if there’s a day or week devoted to one of your photographic passions. I happen to know that Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day is the last Sunday in April, I checked the calendar and it lands on April 27, 2025. Holga Week, which I have participated in on and off for a few years, is October 1-7. Maybe those two aren’t your bag, but I bet there’s a day or week devoted to one of your favorites. If not, declare February 3 as Minolta Day, or any day for any camera. Celebrate Jankuary January this year and check out last year’s photos here in 35mmc. Have some fun, play with a camera, and don’t take yourself too seriously. If you have the time, safety, and an abundance of a camera and lens in your possession, you have already won, and the inspiration of a day, week, or month to celebrate is divine. Get to snapping and celebrating!

3. Play with Pinhole Photography

Some of the fun of pinhole photography is that you can make your own camera and experiment. You can make a room, a box, or a soda can into a pinhole camera. If you aren’t sure how to get started, dig around in 35mmc for ideas and how-to. If you aren’t quite ready to build a camera of your own and have a little money to spend, you can pick up a new or used pinhole camera at a variety of price points. Pinhole photography returns us to the beginning of photography and brings us back to the basics. Don’t forget to participate in Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day! Sometimes it’s just fun to try something different.

4. Exchange a Gift for Emulsive Secret Santa

Okay, this is something that won’t come around until November, but there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead. Each year, there’s an international film photography gift exchange, the Emulsive Secret Santa, arranged by Emulsive. The spending amount is fairly small (roughly 20 euros, pounds, or dollars). You set up a profile on the gift exchange site and then make a short list of photographic gifts you would like to receive. You can be specific with links, or you can be general. My list was pretty simple and broad: any roll of 35mm film and/or any roll of 120 film. You are also committing to being someone’s Santa, so you are planning to shop for and send off a package of photographic goodies to someone else so that they will receive it by December 25.  Depending upon geography, you may be able to indicate that you wish to do the exchange within your own country, allowing you to save a bit on postage. In both years, I enjoyed shopping for my gift exchange mate and then getting a gift from someone else. This year, I received a small camera bag, a roll of film, a small print from the lens of my gift giver, and a camera pin to wear. Mark your calendar for early November and check Emulsive’s website and/or connect with the Emulsive Secret Santa on Instagram to get all the details. Regardless of the gifts given and received, it’s a fun way to connect with other photographers. In fact, it was definitely the thing that started to get me out of my funk in late 2024.

5. Examine Your Collection, Shop Your Shelves, Make Some Space

If you are lucky enough, like me, to have more than one camera and more than one lens, it is possible that you are overlooking something on your shelves (or however you store your gear). It might be time to do some dusting and some deep reflection. It might not hurt to do a version of Marie Kondo’s de-cluttering technique. Pull everything off your shelves and hold each item. Does it spark joy? If you’re rolling your eyes or groaning inwardly, then this might be exactly the exercise you need to do. In the process, have you found some forgotten favorites or remember there’s a lens or camera you were meaning to sell or donate? Hold it and decide if it sparks joy. If you’re ready to get rid of it, thank it for the time you had it, and then list it, sell it, or donate it. If it’s something you hope to rediscover, make an appointment with that lens or camera, even if it’s just a walk with the dog around your neighborhood with a telephoto lens. Remember that not making a decision is actually making a decision, so this exercise can be helpful to recommit to the treasures you already have. It may help to realize you have some lovelies on the shelf that are lacking attention. You may find some gear you are ready to part with and either buy some new-to-you gear with the proceeds or just celebrate a little extra money and space on your shelf.a blue, pink, and yellow sky with a hint of a sun dropped below horizon, in a hilly, rocky desert landscape

6. Photograph the Sunrise and Sunset

When I was in college, I was committed to sunrises and sunsets, but not necessarily photographically. I just thought it was a beautiful thing to make a point to see the sunrise and sunset, and I loved it when I could do both on the same day. It was a little easier with the flexible schedule of a student to do that, but it’s an intention I look back on fondly. I realize that it doesn’t hurt to return to my younger, optimistic self and see what made her tick. There’s something to getting outside, getting up early, and if you love photography, getting a photo of a beautiful and daily moment. There is a similar feeling to sunset. Even when I do not have the budget to take a trip, I can get outside and appreciate the splendor of the sun. It is a chance to make one day special and to apply the methods of getting a good shot. Lessons and opportunities abound!

7. Use a Ridiculous Lens

Okay, this goes back to Jankuary, but it is a lovely concept to revisit, even if you aren’t ready for this in January. Take a weird lens and use it! You might be able to do this with something you already have, a bit of bargain shopping, or with a little hacking and some help from the 35mmc archives. A few years ago, I got a Holga lens for a Nikon DSLR mount for $10 and I happened upon a Lomography sale in early 2021, when I bought three toy lenses for the Micro-4/3 mount for less than $20. Now, the reviews for these lenses are horrid, but I do not care. I was going for thrifty fun and thrifty fun is what I get! In other words, don’t discount a discount lens! Have fun playing with something that someone else might ridicule!

8. Browse Archives of 35mmc to Learn a New Skill

As readers of 35mmc, we have the fun problem of so much to read, and plenty that we may have missed. Have a new-but-old camera? You can probably find an article about it from a one-shot story to an in-depth review or something in between. If you want to learn how to develop film or delve into infrared photography, there is an article for you.

9. Try Out a New Genre of Photography

As a skilled professional or an enthusiastic amateur, you may have set ideas for photography. There’s nothing wrong with being specific and skilled, but there’s also something to gaining perspective and trying out a new genre. Maybe you love street photography and it’s time to try out landscape photography, or you are a portrait photographer but have never considered architectural photography. It’s always wonderful to expand your scope and skills. It’s also fun and frightening to be an absolute beginner. What do you notice in this new path?

10. Make a Photo Book

Okay, this one may take some time and there a variety of ways to go about this. You might want to start with a new project or just review some of your older photos to find a cohesive theme. Maybe you want to put together your best photos of 2024 or finally put together a book of your last vacation. No matter, there’s a skill and an art to finding your best work, and even discovering a theme. This is also one that I find intimidating, but it’s worth the patience to learn and build. In editing, not to be confused with post-processing, deciding what to keep or include will take some time. In the process you can figure out why you like or don’t like certain images, or discern what is good. Look through some photography books at the library or from your own collection to get some ideas. Pick a number of images, decide on some layouts, and begin!

11. Organize, Edit, and Label Old Photo Files

It is one thing to look forward, but it can be scary looking back, especially if you have multiple years of digital and film that you need to deal with. Maybe you want to go back to old files for a photography project or find some treasures for a photography book. First find out where everything is and what you have. I started with this a few years ago when I had an old laptop that was about to die. Fast forward a few years and a bazillion files later and I have barely made a dent. Pick a small amount that you want to start with. You’re not going to be able to deal with decades of work in minutes. It will take time, but if you start small and work methodically, eventually the behemoth of the backlog will slowly and eventually become manageable.

12. Learn to Scan Old Photos and Film

I do not have a ton of film to deal with, but this project still feels daunting. I also have quite a few instant photos that I want to keep scans of. I know there are some great tips in the 35mmc archives and I am looking forward to learning a new skill.

13. Develop a System for Backing Up and Archiving Work

Currently I am a bit haphazard in my methods and I want to find a simple system, so that I have less decision-making to do, and more mental space for taking photos and picking photography projects.

14. Attend Some Kind of Photography Meet-Up

This will vary a bit, depending on where you live. Is there a photography group or camera club in your area? There are some options like Beer and Cameras, but there might also be a long-standing group that existed long before the internet. There’s a used camera shop that offers occasional camera walks in the next town over from me, so I just need to pay attention, get on their email list, look at my schedule, and plan with the bus system. I recently discovered a photo group that meets up monthly at a nearby restaurant, so I figure I can spare the money for a snack and see if it’s a group for me.

15. Play with Shadows

I work teaching online from home, and I find myself having extra time in the middle of the day when there is a lot of harsh light. Forget golden hour and blue hour and see what you can do with less than desirable light. Play with any type of lighting you find yourself in, and see what kind of images you can make. This is a photographic version of “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Whether it’s photographically or philosophically, taking advantage of where and when you are able to take photos can do wonders for your photography and your spirit.

Do you have some recommendations for getting one out of a photographic rut? Do you have ideas for getting re-engaged with photography? Please share in the comments or write an article. Thank you.

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About The Author

By Kary Schumpert
Kary keeps a blog at running-into-life.com and can be found on Instagram at @running_into_life. She teaches, writes, runs, plays with cameras, and spends her time in New Mexico and Colorado.
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Comments

Bob Janes on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Excellent ideas!
Contributing to 35mmc is a great idea, as is experimenting in all those different ways, or simply trying to use 'less than ideal' equipment. Meeting up with others is great, as is just travelling y yourself and seeing something new.
As well as shadows on those harsh light days, also consider reflections and caustics.
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Kary Schumpert replied:

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Bob, I always enjoy your articles, so I appreciate you for reading and commenting! Yes, traveling by yourself is a lovely option! Thanks for the wonderful ideas of caustics and reflections! See, I already have some new ideas due to your comment! :)

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Bill Brown on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Kary, A great list of ideas! As far as #11goes my wife has always said "inch by inch everything's a cinch". Having been at this photography thing for over 40 years I've reached the stage of needing to make my archive accessible to my wife and daughter and extended family. I'm working on #10 at this time. I have been writing stories about individual bodies of work and special family moments that I've photographed. One of my most recent stories details a family quail hunt I documented in November of 1985. In 1986 I painted a dog portrait based on several of the photos I shot that day. That painting became a point of inspiration for me at that time in my early art career. You never know how one seemingly simple moment can influence a future outcome. I wrote an article for Emulsive back in 2018 that addresses finding and starting a personal photo project: https://emulsive.org/articles/projects/shooting-a-personal-photographic-project-thoughts-and-other-musings-by-william-brown Wishing you great success as you move ahead and I'm looking forward to seeing more articles you've penned.
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Kary Schumpert replied:

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Bill, that's such a good reminder and I love that saying! In fact, I'm going to write that on a note card and put it on/near my desk right now!! I will look up your article on Emulsive, so thank you for sharing that. It's also so interesting to hear how your photos became the dog portrait, became a point of inspiration in your career, and became a story that you just wrote. That is so true. It helps to know that everyone has to work on the mundane, but very essential file/film/organizing/archiving. I am not a pro, but it's still important, even if just for myself. Thanks for the comment and for reading!

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Fred Nelson on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Kary: Thanks for the write up. valuable info there. I have a the holga 60mm that I put on my dslr just to see what comes out. I'll keep this write up to push me.
Fred
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Kary Schumpert replied:

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Fred, glad to know there is someone else out there with that fun lens!! I hope you will share some of your images, maybe an article for 35mmc? Thanks for reading and commenting! In fact, thanks to you, I think I'm going to play with that lens today or this weekend! :)

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Eric on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Great article and great ideas. Thank you for sharing.
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Jeffery Luhn on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Kary,
Lots of great ideas! I want mention that any camera can become a pinhole camera by removing the lens and covering the opening with tin foil with a hole in it. It's a good idea to blacken the hole with a match (before putting it on your camera) to reduce diffraction.
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Martin on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

#11 - yes (or maybe next year)
Thanks for good ideas!
Martin in Austria
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Gary Smith on Not Resolutions, but 15 Ideas to Get Out of a Rut in 2025

Comment posted: 23/01/2025

Luckily I haven't experienced a slump yet but it will come, I'm sure.

Great article Kary. I particularly like your first suggestion... :-)
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