How do you choose a theme for your film photography project?

Choosing a theme for your film photography project can be a challenging but rewarding process. A theme can help you focus your vision, express your creativity, and showcase your skills. But how do you find a theme that suits your style, interests, and goals? Here are some tips to help you brainstorm, research, and refine your theme for your film photography project.

1 Start with your why

Before you dive into the details of your theme, ask yourself why you want to do a film photography project in the first place. What is your purpose, motivation, and message? Do you want to document a personal story, explore a social issue, or experiment with a technique? Do you want to challenge yourself, learn something new, or share something meaningful? Your why will guide you to find a theme that aligns with your intention and passion.

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Neha Sharma

Co-Founder & Director at Luna Studios | Telling stories through films and pictures
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Knowing your theme is secondary, the primary thing is to understand why you want to do a project in film photography. Understanding the nuances of film photography, introspecting on your area of interest and knowing the reason for taking this up will, in turn, help you shortlist a particular theme.

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2 Look for inspiration

Inspiration can come from anywhere: your own experiences, interests, and emotions; other art forms, such as music, literature, or painting; current events, trends, or issues; or even random objects, words, or colors. The key is to keep your eyes and mind open, and to collect anything that sparks your curiosity or imagination. You can use a notebook, a mood board, a Pinterest board, or any other tool to organize your ideas and sources of inspiration.

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3 Narrow down your options

Once you have a pool of potential themes, you need to filter them down to the ones that are feasible, original, and meaningful. Some questions to ask yourself are: How much time, money, and resources do you have for your project? How accessible are your subjects, locations, and materials? How unique and relevant is your theme? How well does it fit your style, skills, and goals? How much do you care about your theme? Try to eliminate the themes that are too vague, broad, cliché, or impractical, and focus on the ones that are specific, clear, fresh, and realistic.

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Alexej Latimer

Media and Marketing Specialist | Social Media, SEO, and Content Production | Early Education Professional
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Think carefully about what it is you wish the stylistic elements of analog photography to add to your project. What might it be that only film can provide you? Hold onto this specific detail and develop thematic or symbolic conception of your themes, ideas, or visual queues.

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4 Do your research

Once you have selected one or a few themes, you need to do some research to deepen your understanding and enrich your perspective. Research can involve reading books, articles, or blogs; watching documentaries, films, or videos; visiting galleries, museums, or exhibitions; interviewing experts, peers, or subjects; or doing fieldwork, experiments, or surveys. Research can help you find facts, stories, examples, or references that support your theme, as well as gaps, questions, or challenges that you can address or explore.

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5 Develop your concept

After doing your research, you need to develop your concept, which is the main idea or message behind your theme. Your concept should be concise, coherent, and compelling. It should summarize what you want to say or show with your project, and how you want to say or show it. You can use a statement, a question, a metaphor, or a visual representation to express your concept. Your concept should guide your decisions on the style, tone, mood, format, and technique of your project.

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6 Test and refine your theme

The final step is to test and refine your theme by taking some photos and getting feedback. You can use a digital camera, a smartphone, or a disposable camera to take some test shots that capture the essence of your theme. You can also use editing software, filters, or effects to experiment with different looks and feels. Then, you can ask for feedback from your friends, family, mentors, or online communities. Feedback can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your theme, and make adjustments or improvements as needed.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Eden Schwinghamer

Editorial and Fashion Photographer - Freelance
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Being interested in the work you create is a must. Interested people generate interesting work - consider what about the world impacts or touches you and why. After this reflection, you may find the images in your mind, and your communication about your project and process much clearer.

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How do you choose a theme for your film photography project?

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1 Start with your why

2 Look for inspiration

3 Narrow down your options

4 Do your research

5 Develop your concept

6 Test and refine your theme

7 Here’s what else to consider

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