Every year, at this period, it’s the same scenario: we all set commitments for aspects we plan to accomplish, or improve, in the coming year. Well, for 2025, everyone on the DCW team has established a New Year’s commitment related to their photography.
For a few of us, it’s utilizing new equipment we’ve invested in. For others, it’s about employing old gear that we never got around to using. Some of us take too many photos and never find time to edit them. Others simply didn’t capture enough.
Whether it’s producing our own photo books, or exploring works by other photographers, here are the commitments we’ve made to ourselves (and to our readers!) for 2025…
Print more of my photographs
(Image credit: James Artaius)
Sebastian Oakley, Ecommerce Editor
In 2025 I aim to print more of my creations. While I’ve captured some remarkable shots over the past year, my trusty old 17-inch Epson 7890 photo printer has seen little use.
Thus, my New Year’s resolution is to print additional photos, frame them, display them, and who knows – possibly attempt to sell a few. The target is to print 12 images that I’m genuinely pleased with, all taken in 2025!
Speed up – and maximize all mediums
(Image credit: Future)
Adam Juniper, Managing Editor
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Last year I committed to reviewing pictures I’d taken on a larger screen more frequently, and to edit them more often, which was fantastic; it encouraged me to consider my lens choices deeply and take my ‘big camera’ outdoors more regularly. This year, my goal is to not delay. The issue, you see, with believing you’ll eventually find time to access a decent monitor and spend time with the images, is that they reside on the memory card for a while.
That’s beneficial for some photographs, but not everything requires curated stills. Sometimes it is wise to act promptly, and my objective this year is to discern when I need to go to TikTok (yes, now we do TikTok at DCW!) instantly from my phone, and to do this swiftly enough that it remains worthwhile, just as reliably as I can produce a more serious edit. It sounds painfully practical, but the essence of resolutions is to remind me to tackle the tasks I frequently find challenging, right?
And when, in this modern era, there are various methods to engage with people, I increasingly recognize that time is a crucial factor. Friends and family anticipate prompt outcomes but are understanding; gallery spaces are quite the contrary (not that I’ll be getting there anytime soon!) Approaching each medium positively is my goal (after perhaps one more big sulk about vertical format video not being suited to how human vision is naturally structured…).
Purchase a proper camera!
Ben Andrews, Lab Manager
Since I sold my reliable Nikon D5500 to finance another venture, I’ve been dependent on my smartphone for photography tasks. It does the job, but nothing compares to a proper camera with good ergonomics and dedicated controls that transforms photography from mere snapping into a creative pursuit.
The challenge is, with numerous new mirrorless cameras being released in rapid succession, it often feels like there’s never an opportune moment to purchase, as an even better model always seems to be just ahead!
Venture out and capture more pictures
(Image credit: PhotoPlus)
Adam Waring, News Editor
The drawback of writing about cameras is that I spend the majority of my time doing just that: glued to my MacBook keyboard, extolling the virtues of cameras and photography, instead of picking up my camera and stepping outside to truly take some photos.
Thus, in 2025 that’s going to shift – I am going to create the time to take action, rather than just discussing it. Although I might wait some time for the weather to improve a bit…
Innovate my style
(Image credit: Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)
Gareth Bevan, Reviews Editor
I am busy, and I consider my free time invaluable. I have come to depend on the film presets I’ve developed for my cameras to prepare images for sharing without extensive editing. However, this has caused me to employ the same style repetitively for my images… tedious!
This year I wish to allocate more time to experimenting with diversifying my image style, try incorporating more black-and-white elements, experiment with distinctive colors, and simply enjoy the editing process once more.
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Purchase additional photography books
(Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)
Chris George, Content Director – Photography, Creative & Design
This year, my goal is to purchase more photographic literature. I’m not referring to the instructional guides I previously authored, but rather the magnificent coffee table volumes that present a compilation of works by a single distinguished photographer.
I have recently received the remarkable Chris Killip retrospective released this year – and have also discovered reasonably priced secondhand copies of Nick Brandt’s initial two works: On This Earth A Shadow Falls and Across The Ravaged Land. I am already compiling a list of the editions I aim to acquire next.
Capture more film with the camera I purchased!
(Image credit: Future)
Mike Harris, How To Editor
I acquired a Nikon FM last year, and I have not utilized it as much as I had hoped. I’m planning to digitize my own film using a macro setup, and begin exploring the strange and fascinating boutique 35mm film that exists. Regrettably, this clashes with my other New Year’s objective, which is to save more funds. Oops!
(Image credit: James Artaius)
Hillary Grigonis, US editor
I picked up an old Pentax K1000 at a garage sale a few years ago, but I did not have the opportunity until this year to actually figure out how to use it. Although I’ve experimented with several instant cameras and a few disposable ones, I regret to admit that the K1000 lay unused on a shelf for some time.
However, after testing the new Pentax 17 film camera, I felt encouraged enough to give it a shot and took it along to two portrait sessions. I was thrilled with the results. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, I believe that imperfect yet genuine images will be essential for differentiation – and what better method to achieve that than experimenting with actual film? For 2025, my resolution is to capture more film.
Investigate filmmaking – and don’t restrain yourself!
(Image credit: Digital Camera World)
Kalum Carter, Staff Writer
My aspiration for 2025 is two-pronged. I am starting to explore the realm of filmmaking to enhance my photography craft, so the first component of my New Year’s resolution is to persist in learning and creating. I have several documentary photography ventures planned for 2025, and having the capability to capture motion as well will enrich some of the narratives I wish to convey.
The second aspect of this resolution is to share my creations once completed – without reservations. I often hesitate and prolong sharing until I believe something is flawless, and most times I take too long and it never gets published. Thanks to TikTok, a phrase I never envisioned I would speak, it offers an exhilarating platform for showcasing work – and the occasional rush of dopamine from some likes is always welcome!
Resume creating
(Image credit: Esmeralda Vere)
This past year has been particularly challenging for me in terms of getting out to shoot, due to some tough family matters along with being car-less for three months. Therefore, where I previously shot three or four times weekly, I’ve been fortunate to manage once a month!
I adore social photography. Whether it involves client projects, creative endeavors, or collaborating with friends on enjoyable tasks, portraiture is what initially captivated me in photography. Hence, my primary objective is to venture out, capture more portraits, and finally tackle some of the adventurous ideas I’ve had on my list for ages.
But fundamentally, I simply wish to take more photographs, no matter the type. I enjoy wildlife and sports photography, street photography… and I relish capturing behind-the-scenes and unit stills for clients or fellow artists. Therefore, in whatever format it manifests, I plan to get back out there and seize more frames in 2025.
