Most New Year's resolutions fail by February because they are vague. "I want to take better photos" is a wish, not a plan.

If you actually want to improve your craft in 2026, you don't need a new sensor with more megapixels. You don't need a heavy zoom lens that covers every focal length from wide to telephoto.

You need a straitjacket.

The biggest enemy of the modern street photographer is choice. We suffer from G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), believing that buying a new tool will fix a lack of vision. It won’t.

This year, let's attempt a personal Challenge.

The Rules: One Camera. One Lens.

The challenge is simple, but the discipline is hard.

1. Pick one focal length. (28mm, 35mm, or 50mm).
2. Stick to it for 12 months.
3. If you have a zoom lens, tape the ring to your chosen focal length.
4. If you have other lenses, leave them on the shelf.

Here is why this constraint will teach you more about photography than any workshop or YouTube tutorial ever could.

1. You Kill Decision Fatigue

Street photography is about split-second decisions. When you carry a bag full of lenses, you hesitate. “Should I switch to the wide angle for this architecture?” “Should I zoom in for that portrait?”

While you are debating with yourself, the decisive moment has happened and is gone forever.

When you only have one prime lens, the variable is removed. You stop thinking about gear and start thinking about the subject.

2. You "Pre-Visualize" the Frame

This is the superpower of the masters. If you shoot strictly with a 35mm lens for three months straight, a psychological shift happens.

You start to see the frame lines in your eyes before you even lift the camera. You know exactly where to stand to get the shot. You stop "looking" and start "seeing." You learn to zoom with your feet.

3. Consistency is King

Look at the legends. Henri Cartier-Bresson famously stuck to his 50mm. Garry Winogrand lived at 28mm. They didn't jump around. They mastered one perspective until it became their visual signature.

By restricting yourself to one focal length for 2026, you ensure that your portfolio at the end of the year looks like a cohesive body of work, not a random collection of snapshots.

The Minimalist Uniform

If you are stripping your camera kit down to the bare essentials, apply the same philosophy to your routine.

You don't need a tactical vest with twenty pockets if you aren't carrying twenty lenses. You need gear that allows you to move fast and blend in.

Simplify your wardrobe. Grab a Manifesto Hoodie (which reminds you to keep your settings simple: f/8 and be there) or a Barebones Cap.

One camera in your hand. One uniform on your back. No distractions.

The Challenge is set. 

Good light.