At the beginning of the year I started a 365 / 366 / 365ish photo project. I think projects like this can help you improve your photography in several ways. On the technical side, taking a daily picture will help you become more familiar with your camera and gear. Having recently got a new camera, I realize the importance of knowing your gear. Nothing slows me down or frustrates me quite like the experience of trying to capture an image and being thwarted because of my unfamiliarity with my gear. By shooting everyday, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your gear and learn the “ins and outs” of it. Familiarity with your gear leads to a calm self assurance which will certainly help you craft better images.
Another reason to take photos each day is to hone your “eye”. One of the most effective, least costly, lightweight skills you can learn is how to “see” the way your camera sees. By learning the tricks of the photo-composition trade (subject placement, color, lines, contrast, etc.) you’ll quickly take your images up a notch or two.
Maybe the final reason to shoot everyday is to journal and document your days. I’ve tried many, many times to write a journal. I understand the virtue of it: someday I could look back and read what I was thinking, feeling and all the events of a past life. The trouble is, I just haven’t been able to motivate myself to write for more than a few consecutive weeks. With photos, however, it’s different. It’s easier for me to take a photo each day. With it I get a visual reminder of where I was, what I was doing or what was catching my attention each day.
So with all of these virtues going for it, why do so may people (including me) have difficulty taking a photo every day? Well it’s challenging, at least for me, to shoot or remember to shoot each day. I’m sure some of you struggle similarly AND SO, I thought I’d throw together some tips to help you succeed at your 365ish Photo Project.
- Set a reminder to take a picture. I like to set mine at 10:30am and then another at 4:30pm just as a backup.
- Take several pictures each day and post only one to a location of your choice. It’s important that no matter where you post it, you share it with others. This’ll help keep you motivated if you know that other people might be on the lookout for your daily shot. One thing that I do is post it to a personal album on Flickr. Also, you can post your images here https://www.flickr.com/groups/pocketlenses365 so that others can see your work as well.
- Don’t beat yourself up. If you miss a day, you miss a day. Pick it up the next day and strive for your longest streak in the next run.
- Don’t skip taking a picture just because you can’t make another spectacular, beautiful masterpiece (this is one of my genuine struggles). I know that on some days, I feel inspired and energized to craft something really cool while on other days I think “I ain’t got nuthin” and that’s the truth. Remember the “Don’t beat yourself up” rule? So, when you’re sitting there at the end of the day, uninspired with no photo, just shoot. Find something, anything nearby and shoot. Your plate of spaghetti, a backyard plant, your dog’s nose, a nearby streetlight or a pocketknife that just came in the mail. Something. Then process it a bit and share it. Let those days of inspiration find you, but don’t feel bad if every photo you post is not a “money shot”.
If you’re on Facebook, come join us over here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pocketlenses We’re a bunch of nice, creative people from all over the world sharing photos. Come on over!
It doesn’t matter when you start, but the most important thing is that you do start. If you miss a day or two, get back to it. Be persistent. It’s worth it. Give it a go and share!
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