26 PHOTO PROJECTS FOR 2026!

Wendy Evans serves up a platter of projects for you to tackle over the next 12 months

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January can be the dullest month of the year. With the festive season in the rear-view mirror, there are only months of cold, wet weather ahead until spring arrives. However, don't despair because not only do we have a selection of photo project ideas for the year ahead, we've also got some ideas to rouse you from your winter torpor, when the weather is friends only to polar bears and ducks.

So discover how to create stop-motion animation, bag some new gear at bargain prices, tackle heavy industry, get moody with prison life and take hope from the cheery optimism of the red-breasted robin.

Before you know it, spring will soon be here again, bringing with it plants, animals and insects galore to shoot. Think of the misty sunrises, solitary trees in green fields and burgeoning pond life with frogs and toads.

Come summer, there will be rows of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, big cats on the prowl, seashells on the seashore, vintage festivals and the staccato tapping of woodpeckers to be heard. Finally, autumn offers everything from conkers to deer, waterfalls, still-life projects and even a gothic weekender.

WINTER

Wrap up warm for cold weather projects

STOP-MOTION ANIMATION

A Nick Park animation is now obligatory viewing over the Christmas period, so if it's raining outside, why not turn your hand to the art of stop-motion animation? You need to assemble your props - ideally, ones that can be made to move and stand up on their own, create the set and position your lights. Then plan it all out, including the time needed for dialogue.

TOP TIPS

For frame rates (this is how many images you take per second of action), 15fps is smooth, 10fps is noticeably uneven and 5fps is crude.

Take a test shot, then go to manual to set the aperture and shutter speed to avoid lighting variations.