52 Weeks with C. London: 2024 Edition
Welcome to the sixth iteration of 52 Weeks with C. London!
What started as a small project of self-motivation has grown to an incredibly supportive and engaged community of photographers of all levels and genres, spread out across the world. I am incredibly humbled by the path this little project has taken, and am so appreciative of the continued support from all participants!
For those of us who have been along for the ride, you may already know that last year saw a shift in how the prompts were presented. Instead of each week having a specific prompt tied to it, each month had an overarching theme with four individual prompts to be completed in any order, any time during the month. It’s important to note that I do intentionally choose the order, but I understand that lives make certain prompts difficult during certain weeks. Feedback for this new structure has been overwhelmingly positive, so I am excited to say that we will be using this format again in 2024.
I will also reiterate, that if you haven’t joined the discord yet, please do! You’ll find an incredibly supportive community there ready to engage with your submissions, answer questions, or even just chat photography. Join the discord here!
I have also started up a podcast this year, with my co-host David Patton. We regularly discuss 52 Weeks, and address challenges and successes of the prompts. In addition to the podcast, I’ve started a YouTube channel where I’ll pop on with quick chats about the prompts. I genuinely appreciate anyone who follows along. Subscribe here!
This year, I have also created a Learning Journal that you can download and keep with you through the year. This is a great way to keep yourself accountable and motivated. It also allows for you to look back on your progress. Download the Learning Journal free here or you can purchase a paperback version!
So, how do you submit? That’s up to you! Here are the options:
Discord. This is the best way to partake, as we have real-time conversations throughout the year. Join via this link.
Instagram. Use the hashtag #clondon52 and #clondon52_01 (where ‘01’ equates to the month we’re currently working through.)
Flickr. Join the group 52 Weeks with C. London. Be sure to title or subtitle your image with the month and name of the prompt we are currently working through.
Reddit. Join the subreddit r/clondon52. Be sure to title with the month and name of the prompt we are currently working through.
Facebook. Join the group 52 Weeks with C. London. There will be a dedicated album for each month’s prompt to which you will add your photos.
Email. Don’t do social media? No problem! Email me your submissions to chelsea@clondon.me. Please put 52 Weeks in the subject headline.
Remember: The purpose of the challenge is to make new photos with the prompt in mind, not to just find photos you already have which happen to fit the prompt.
November: Compose Intentionally
This month, we focus on core compositional techniques to guide the viewer’s eye, set the scene, and add balance to your photos. Use these prompts to add structure and purpose to your shots. Before you jump in, read through the photo class’s lesson on compositional guidelines and this interactive mini-course featuring the guidelines below.
Framing: Find natural or created frames in your surroundings that bring focus to your subject. Use elements like doorways, tree branches, or architectural details to direct attention and add depth.
Leading Lines: Look for lines in your environment—paths, rivers, or architectural features—that guide the viewer’s eye through the composition, adding flow and direction.
Rule of Odds: Odd numbers of subjects, like three flowers or five people, create balanced and engaging compositions. Experiment with this approach to add visual interest.
Scale: Show contrasts in size to create perspective, like a small object against a vast background or a large object in a tight space. Use scale to tell a story and highlight relationships within the frame.
Come back next month for the next set of prompts!
October: Transformation
October is a time of transition—nature changes its colors, light shifts, and everything seems to shift. This month, we’ll focus on capturing moments of transformation, whether in nature, people, or processes. Use this time to reflect on change, both subtle and dramatic, and how it influences your photography.
Changing Seasons: As fall (or Spring for our southern hemisphere friends) takes hold, the environment around us transforms. This week, capture the essence of seasonal change—whether it’s the leaves turning, flowers blooming (I see you, southern hemispherers), or shifts in natural light.
Transitions in Light: Light changes throughout the day, from the soft light of dawn to the golden hues of sunset. This week, let’s focus on the way light transforms throughout the day.
Metamorphosis: Nature provides countless examples of metamorphosis, from caterpillars becoming butterflies to the transformation of landscapes over time. Metamorphosis can also be found in artificial forms. This week, draw inspiration from these processes of change.
Personal Growth: This week, focus on the idea of personal transformation. Whether it’s self-improvement, a shift in perspective, or a change in routine, find a way to represent growth or change within yourself or someone close to you.
Come back next month for the next set of prompts!
September: Inspiration
This month we’re focusing on sources of inspiration that fuel our creativity every day. From the media we consume to the people who shape our perspectives, September is all about capturing the what moves us creatively.
What you’re reading. Books and other readings give us insight into other worlds, ideas, and even points in history. For this prompt, create an image inspired by whatever it is you’re currently reading - that can be anything from an article to full-length novel. Draw inspiration from the subject(s) of the writing, setting, and/or ideals.
What you’re listening to. Music can profoundly influence our mood and creativity. They can motivate us, calm us, or transport us to different emotional states. How does what you’re listening to effect your photography output? For this prompt, have those headphones in while making your photos.
What you’re watching. Films and TV shows can inspire us through visuals, storytelling, and character development. This week, let’s draw inspiration from what you're currently watching or a visual media piece that has made a lasting impression on you.
Inspired by: A cohort. This week, draw inspiration from a fellow participant in the 52 Weeks challenge. Whether it’s their style, creativity, or a specific image they’ve created, use their work as a springboard for your own creative expression. Remember to tag them in your submission so they can see how they’ve inspired you.
August: Color
It’s color theory month! For those who have been playing along these past years, you may know of my (sometimes unhealthy) obsession with color theory. As such, each year we have prompts dedicated to the wonderful world of color. For an introduction to color theory, read through this blog post (also found on the focal point hub).
Primary Colors. Primary colors can evoke childhood or playfulness. For this week, work only in primary colors, either just one or all three. Capture scenes that highlight the vibrancy of primary colors—red, blue, and yellow. Think about how these colors can create impact and evoke emotions. Focus on strong composition to make the primary colors pop. Experiment with lighting to enhance their boldness.
Color Schemes. Choose a color scheme and make an image that fits that color scheme. When posting, leave it up to your cohorts to guess which scheme you were aiming for. Use online tools like the Adobe color wheel to visualize and plan your color scheme. Ensure a balanced composition to highlight the chosen scheme effectively.
Golden or Blue Hour. Find that natural color of golden or blue hour and use it to make your image. Capture the magical light of golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) or blue hour (just before sunrise or after sunset). Plan your shoot by checking the timing of golden and blue hours. Use a tripod for stability, especially during low light. Adjust white balance to enhance the natural color tones.
Monochrome. Monochrome doesn’t just mean black and white. This week, work within one color palette to create a monochrome image. Explore the nuance of a single color palette to create a cohesive image. Pay attention to texture, contrast, and composition to keep your monochrome images dynamic. Consider post-processing to emphasize the monochrome palette. Explore both natural and artificial subjects to see how different environments affect color tones.
July : Check In
We’ve made it to the halfway mark. How have you been doing thus far? On track with your goals, or do you need some time to reset and recollect? This is the month for just that! Take the time to assess where you are in your goals and either reevaluate or pat yourself on the back. Either way, you’re doing great, keep it going!
Check-in: We’re coming up on the middle of the year. How has it been so far? Have you been able to keep up? If so, great work! I know just how difficult this challenge can be and how easy it is to let the weeks slip by.
For you, the ones who are all caught up, your prompt this week is to go back and find your one favorite and your one least favorite images from the challenge so far. Break down what it is that you like about the favorite, and what challenges you faced with the least favorite. Try and be extra critical, and if you’re open to it, share them on our discord and ask for feedback from your peers. You now have the option of recreating the least favorite with your critical eye in mind. While you may not be able to recreate it exactly, use it as an inspirational jumping off point and focus on what you’d like to improve about it.
For those who haven’t been able to stay on top of the challenge, don’t get down on yourself! Life happens, and priorities shift. Use this week as a catch up week. Go back and look at the prompts you’ve missed - get caught up on one or all of them, and continue on with the next week’s prompt, missing previous weeks or not.Reevaluating Goals: How are you doing on your initial goal from week one? Often times challenges like this one will lead you off your initial track and make you reevaluate what your goal is. On the other hand, you may have become even more dedicated to your original goal. Both are okay!
The image this week should be a revisit of that original goal. If you want to do a full-on remake of the original, that’s great! If you’d prefer to start over with a whole new vision, also great!
If you didn’t start from January and haven’t set a goal, do so now!Reimagine a previous submission: I want you to look back on your submissions thus far and find one that you can revisit. Find a way to use it as inspiration, but reimagine it to create something new. Think about what you like about that image and use that as a jumping off point. Is it the lighting, color, subject, ambiance, etc. When posting, post your inspiration photo along with the new one.
Pull inspiration from another participant. Go through some previous submissions from your cohort, and find one that sparks something for you. Use this photo as a source of inspiration to make
your own photo. When submitting, tag the other user in your post, so they can see that they inspired you and what you did with it.
If you’re not actively engaged in one of the community sides of the challenge, pull inspiration from another photographer wherever you’re consuming photography.
June : The Human Element
This month is all about people. For those introverts, you may approach this as an opportunity to push yourself, or showcase your creativity by finding ways to show humanity without, well, humans.
Self Portrait. Getting this out of the way. Every year we ask for a self portrait, and every year you all find novel ways of doing it. This can be a standard self portrait, or some other approach that shows us who you are.
Hands at Work. For this prompt, focus on hands performing a task. When making this photo, try to humanize the hands, telling the story of their efforts.
Expressions. The human face is capable of a range of expressions. For this prompt try and explore this range and capture the complexity in facial expressions. Try to find candid moments that reveal true feelings, whether it's joy, sorrow, surprise, or contemplation.
Community. What does community mean to you? Show us without telling us. Try and showcase the connection between the people in the community - how does the community function, and how does it thrive.
May : Opposites
This month is all about finding and exploring contrasting elements. That trite idea of juxtaposition = art will be your best friend for these prompts. Try and work through the obvious and find some thoughtful compositions through the scene, lighting, subjects, et cetera.
Big vs. Small: Show the contrast of size in your composition. This can be a literal “here’s a big thing next to a small thing,” or a more abstract idea that approaches big versus small.
Near vs. Far: Play with perspective to create a sense of depth. Having a close foreground element against a deep background element, can create a deep frame. You can also approach this in a less literal way.
Artificial vs. Natural: Whether you live in a big city or in a rural area, the artificial world is always interacting with the natural. Show this struggle or symbiotic relationship in your final image.
Nature vs. Nurture: We’re going to leave this one entirely up to interpretation. Approach it however makes sense to you.
April : Life
In the northern hemisphere, April brings Spring, which brings new life. Of course it is the opposite for our Southern Hemisphere friends, but luckily the idea of life works both ways. This month, we’re going to focus in on the concept of life - feel free to be as creative with these prompts as you can be. We’re going for more open-ended and ambiguous prompting from here on out.
Still, Life. I’ll leave this one up to your interpretation. Are you vibing with a traditional still life, or maybe you want to showcase that somehow, life, uh, finds a way.
Past Lives. Not only my favorite movie from last year, but also an opportunity to explore how things once were. You can show us what your life was like at a different period of your life, or maybe recreate a scene from a different decade. However you interpret the concept of past lives is fair game.
After Life. Somehow Palpatine returned. That mostly-empty mall in town. A browning banana peel. Your favorite zombie video game. Pull inspiration from what comes after. Bonus points for Pedro Pascal up close and personal.
A Day in the Life. “It is time.” - Rafiki. Everyone’s (least?) favorite - A Day in the Life! For this prompt, you will choose one day this month to document fully - from the moment you awake, until right before falling asleep. Aim to take one photo an hour, at the least. If you’re documenting a day where you’re sitting at your work desk for 8 hours, for instance, try to find new viewpoints for each photo (close-ups of your keyboard, mug, wide shots of your set-up, etc). In the days following documenting your whole day, cull those photos down to no more than 10 photos that sum up your day. Then choose one which will be your hero image, fully encapsulating your day.
March : Textures and Patterns
This month is all about pattern recognition - and if a 1 year old can do it, so can you! This month is all about textures and patterns.
Found patterns. Nature and (sub)urban spaces are ripe with patterns. Whether it be vines scaling a building, or ticky-tacky little houses on the hillside, look for patterns. When photographing them, make sure the pattern is the star of the shot - you can use the pattern to amplify a subject, or it can stand on it’s own.
Contrasting elements. For this prompt, you will juxtapose contrasting elements within a single frame. Seek out scenes where opposing textures or patterns collide—smooth against rough, light against dark. Capture the harmony that arises when these contrasting elements come together.
Abstract textures. This week just have fun! Experiment with angles, lighting, and framing to transform familiar textures into abstract compositions. Let the viewer's imagination roam as they engage with the ambiguity of your textured abstractions.
Repetition. We’re looking for visual rhythm in your photograph this week. Whether it's the orderly arrangement of objects, the repeated shapes in architecture, or the rhythmic play of light and shadow, explore the impact of repetition in establishing a sense of harmony and balance within your compositions.
February : Space Exploration
Being the shortest month, and often cloaked in greyness in the Northern Hemisphere, February is the month where motivation often comes to die. For this month, we will be focusing on the spaces around us regardless of inspiring light.
Depth. For this prompt, we’re going to explore the three elements of a scene - the foreground, mid ground, and backgrounds. Your image should showcase depth through clear delineation of these parts of the scene. As an experiment, try creating three images of the same scene wherein one has the foreground in focus, one with the mid ground, and one with the background. If you’re up for additional experimentation, what happens when you combine the three?
Fill the Frame: If you’re unsure of how to effectively capture a scene, it may be because there are many distracting elements or unnecessary empty bits. Try filling the frame with your intended subject. This isolates the subject and makes it very obvious to the viewer. Don’t be afraid to get really close, either. Be completely unapologetic about your attempt to fill the frame. Combine this technique with patterns for a really dynamic shot.
Scale: Scale is simply showing the viewer how large something is (or isn’t). By using an element which everyone knows the size of, you can show the viewer the immensity or puniness of an element. Common usages may be a person being completely dwarfed by a large building, thereby showing that building is impressively large. You can play this the other way, as well.
Explore the space. This prompt find you really taking your time understanding the scene in front of you. Pick a room, street corner, or other constrained space and set your time for ten minutes. Take as many photos as you can in that time, trying to get as many different angles and compositions as you can. Pay attention to the details of your chosen space, as well as the broad strokes. For your submission, choose the one photo which most displays what it is about the space which inspires and interests you.
January : Setting Goals
As always, we start out the year considering why we’re committing to this challenge. Whether personal or professional, identifying goals makes the following year more meaningful and intentional. For this month, the prompts are all focused on helping you to identify how to make the most out of the project. So, this month make your new photos while consciously thinking about the challenge and your own personal goals for photography.
Past experiences with photography. Every participant comes to this challenge at a different stage in their photographic journey. Show us where you are with a new photo showing what you’ve done and where you are. Maybe you’re particularly interested in wildlife, portraits, street, automotive, sport, or anything else. You really have free range here to intentionally photograph what you like, how you normally would.
Recreation of an old photo. You probably have a photo you’ve taken in the past that you’re either really happy with, or feel like you could approach differently. For this prompt, I want you to choose an old photo and re-take it. When doing this, think about what it is you like about the photo and what you dislike. Use those ideas to approach it thoughtfully.
Introduction. Introduce yourself to the community! You can do this through a self portrait, photo of another hobby or passion you have, showing something about your day to day life, et cetera. Really this can be any way you want to say hi!
A main photographic goal for the year. What do you hope to get out of this challenge? Take some time to really consider why you’ve decided to join in. Identifying the ‘why’ will help keep you motivated and engaged throughout the year. For this photo, I want you to address your goal in whichever way you believe will support you in achieving it. We will revisit this goal twice more throughout the year, so keep it in the back of your mind.
