Discovering 52 Frames

May 11

How a Weekly Challenge Transformed
My Photography

One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I came across a post from a friend whose photo had placed well on a site called 52 Frames. I’d never heard of it before, so I looked it up—and I’m so glad I did.
https://52frames.com

52 Frames is a free photography community that began in 2015 with the goal of encouraging people to take photos on a consistent basis. Each week, there’s a themed challenge, along with an optional “Extra Credit” twist to make things more interesting. You have seven days to shoot and upload a single image to your personal profile, along with a short comment.

On average, over 3,000 photos are submitted each week from photographers around the world. Although it’s not officially a competition, the 52 Frames team selects 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, plus the Top 52 images of the week. To date, I’ve placed 2nd and 3rd, been featured in the Top 52 ten times, and even had my work highlighted on the 52 Frames website, Instagram page and in their Screen Casts.

What makes this community stand out is the support and educational resources. Each challenge comes with a clear explanation, examples from past albums, tips, and tutorials. Once an album is published, you can browse all the submissions and leave comments for other photographers. In my experience, it’s one of the friendliest online communities—feedback is always kind, constructive, and genuinely helpful. Over time, you get to know the people who follow your work; I now have over 255 followers.

The weekly themes can be… tricky. Imagine trying to interpret themes like Perspective, Lamp, or Bathroom. Or it could be Wabi Sabi, Lay Flat or even One Light Source using a Cookie or Cucoloris. (This is what happens when you quickly skim the challenge and don’t read the description. It actually had nothing to do with Cookies but a Cucoloris is a light modifier for casting shadows). You often have to research the concept before picking up your camera. Not every image you submit will be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. The goal is to push beyond your comfort zone and explore new ideas. Because the challenges are so diverse, 52 Frames isn’t ideal for niche photographers who only shoot one subject, like birds or weddings. Also life gets in the way sometimes—travel, illness or just a busy week so you might submit a simpler image just to keep your streak alive. But every theme challenges you to think differently and refine your skills. It’s like building a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

When I first discovered 52 Frames, I was intrigued but I procrastinated. Eventually, I joined on January 11, 2022, and since then, I HAVEN’T MISSED A SINGLE WEEK! While you’re not required to submit every week, I’ve made it my personal goal. I also don’t just want to take a quick snapshot. I try to create something thoughtful, meaningful and, when possible, a little bit “wow.”

What I love about 52 Frames is:

It keeps a camera in your hands every single week.
You learn new techniques and experiment with ideas you’d never normally try.
You build a diverse, creative body of work.
You unlock new levels of creativity.
You are part of a caring community of like minded people.

I’ll admit, 52 Frames isn’t for everyone. A few of my photography buddies gave it a try but found the weekly pace too demanding. For me, it has reignited my excitement for photography and opened up my creativity in ways I never expected. Each new theme is something to plan especially in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep...

You can check out my 52 Frames album here: https://52frames.com/photographer/21439