There’s a clear way to grow your photography, to expand your eye, and to find your personal perspective. That way is to take part in the ever-growing “Project 365.” Not only is it a chance to document a whole year of your life, it’s a chance to fine tune your photography skills.
In August of last year I jumped with both feet into Project 365. I couldn’t even imagine, at the time, how profound the project would be and how much it would change me. A lot of my project was self portraits, but there were days that I included much of the world around me.
My kids took turns appearing in snaps. I documented various occasions, and I expounded on many of my relationships through the project. Looking back I have a wonderful photographic journal of a rather important year; it was a year of change, a year of triumph, a year of prosperity, a year of motherhood and growth.
Pointers for starting Your Own Project 365:
- Take your camera with you everywhere and take pictures as much as possible
- Post daily so you don’t get behind and give up.
- Change the type of daily photo you take (i.e., self portraits, reflections, sky watches, breakfast, special occasion, etc…)
- Tell a story through your daily photos.
If there’s one thing you do, do a Project 365. You won’t be sorry. I guarantee it!
Some Examples:
[Mishelle is the author of Secret Agent Mama and Mishelle Lane Photography. Along with her husband, four children, whom she home schools, she resides northeast Metro Atlanta.]
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When does it start?
You can start anytime you desire! Start today!
Thanks for the linky!
I highly recommend it. It is a wonderful experience. There are days where it's a challenge, but that is good.
You will not only have a photo journal of your year, you become more skillful behind the camera and, (I wasn't expecting this) you will see the world differently.
Things that you might not have been tuned in to before will pop out all the time. A tree that strikes your fancy, trip to the mailbox, a child's face that you sometimes take for granted, a shoe on the side of the road. Little moments that would have normally become a distant, fading memory once your head hits the pillow will be captured and cherished forever.
I am so very glad I have taken it on and will likely start year 2 when my 365th day rolls around.
I'm so glad you posted about this here. I've been toying with the idea of a 365 for some time. Maybe this will motivate me…
Colleen! You should do it.. I would love to see what you do.
I am in! This sounds like just what I need!
Awesome!Can't wait to see what you do..
Project 365 is awesome! I actually started one based on taking photographs of myself/parts of myself at the beginning of the year, but life got weird and I completely lost my desire to take photographs of myself every day. So I had to chalk it up to a partial failure.
Now, as far as taking at least one photograph of something every day? I've got THAT down pat.
Maybe I'll start up a new one next year. I'm going to think of a fun theme and see if I can stick with it!
It's interesting that you began in August. I would have thought I needed to begin at the beginning….but that's a little silly, isn't it?
When I saw it I couldn't wait to start it. The fire was lit and I had to stoke it!
I wish I had a better camera.
Don't let not having a great super duper camera hold you back. Piper and I both shoot with Kodak point and shoots. You don't need a $600 DSLR to give it a whirl.
PG is 100% correct. You don't need a DSLR to do this. Actually, it might be EASIER with a point and shoot!
Point and shoot might be easier, but I still haven't mastered all my camera's trickery. YOU make it look easy Mishi. It's not!
Thanks for the nod my way. I've become a 365 slacker lately, but you definitely reinspired me… again
Mwah!!
This sounds like such a great idea! Maybe I should make a resolution to do it next year. I feel like I would need a P&S camera though — I just hate to lug around my DSLR places. I want a camera I can pop into my purse.
This is awesome. REALLY. I just started photography classes and this will be a great way to use what I am learning.
YEAH!
This is such a great project!
I started mine in August too because I wanted to document the first year with my first DSLR. The results have been amazing and it is a photo journal of my life. It's so fun to look back at the pictures.
And, honestly, you don't need a great camera. You just need to take it with you and capture the little moments.
If you haven't done one of these, give it a try! It's so much fun!
I'm part of a group of women doing this at
envisage365.blogspot.com
(I'm Sarah Two, btw) There's 40 of us who have been documenting our lives one picture a day since September 1 – it's not easy – some days our picture is a last minute snap, but it's awesome to look at the pictures as we go through.
When it's done, I plan to take my pictures and have them printed in a hardcover book through one of the photo sites (probably shutterfly or some such)….
DEFINITELY worth the time to do it!!!
I love this idea, and I think it will be the perfect way to learn all about my new camera! Count me in!
I like this! I think I am gonna try it. I'll try to use my new dslr, but still trying to figure it out! I still have my handy dandy P&S. I am gonna check out the blogsot.!
I have accpeted your challenge! I posted my first picture today and look forward to the coming year. Thanks for the challenge and your Photo Bliss posts. I am learning so much!
I have actually started another 365. Started it today.
365 in Black and White!!
hooray! i have LOVED looking at other 365s recently, and this is precisely what i needed to decide to do my own! i've got this blog that is always changing purposes…most recently it's where i tracked my training from couch potato to running a 10k. now that i'm done with that, it's a perfect place for my 365 project to live!
i'd love to link to everyone here who's starting their 365…comment me on today's post and i'll add your link!!
http://www.simplediscoveries.blogspot.com