Hints & Tips For Doing A 365 Day Photo Project
As 2009 draws to an end and 2010 gets ready to spring into being the question many photographers are asking themselves is: Do I want to do a 365 day photo project?
Peter Carey recently provided an article to the Digital Photography School website on the many benefits of doing a photo365 project. I thought I’d add to this work by listing some of lessons I have learnt from doing the 365 Before Thirty Project so far:
- They won’t all be winners. Some days things will seem to conspire against you: time will get away from you, the light just won’t work the way you want or there just won’t be anything around you think will look good in a photo. There’s more than a few shots in the project so far that I’m less than happy with but the important thing is they were done.
- Don’t be too restrictive on your subject matter. Themed 365 photo projects can produce some really cool results. Be too restrictive on your theme however and you may end up hating it. Unless you have a somewhat obsessive personality taking photos of the same tree for example is going to get very dull for you within a month. I personally prefer the more random approach and take what life throws at me each day.
- Set goals. A good way to tackle a large project is to break it down into manageable chunks. For me I use a reward system – every 30 days I complete on the project I’m allowed to buy myself a new piece of camera gear. To reinforce this reward system I am not allowed to buy camera gear outside of this scheme with exceptions made for Christmas and my birthday.
- The best camera you can ever have is the one in your hand. Stranded in an airport and only armed with your camera phone? Use it! You never know, you might just be in the right place at the right time for an amazing shot.
- This is your project, your rules and your photographs. Don’t let anyone turn it into a chore
- Consider making something with the result in a years time. Some people have made time lapse videos, others calendars for the family. I’m planning on making a book.
- Pick a date that means something to you. Sure January 1 is a good time to kick off one of these projects but is there another annual date that means something to you? I opted to use my birthday for this project because it’s my last year in my 20’s and it feels like somewhat of a turning point in my life.
- Not got time for a full 365 project? Consider a 52 project. One photo a week is doable and will still keep you in the game photography wise.
- Take photography trips! Even if it’s just somewhere like your local park. It’s truly amazing what you can find. Pack your gear, some food and just go for a wander.
- Some days it will just flat out suck. Sit down, relax and don’t force it.
- Pimp your shots! Blog about them, twitter them and provide inspiration to others. Not saying you should spam them everywhere but a little self promotion may just return some unexpected results. Certainly did for me.
- Roll with the punches. There will be criticism and comments that will at times be unfair. Always remember why you are doing the project. It’s not your job to please everyone.
- Record your ideas. You will have ideas for your project that you want to do but can’t do that day. Record them! I use a combination of the Evernote app on my android phone and the ever reliable moleskine notebook.
- Search around for inspiration. There will be days where you will have a complete mind blank on what to do. Reach out to friends and family for ideas. Take inspiration from other photo365 blogs or incorporate things like the DPS weekly assignments / weekend challenges.
- Get out of your comfort zone. Take risks and try photography styles you’ve never done before. It’s no secret that my passion is macro photography, now and again however I force myself to do shots that I’m unfamiliar or even uncomfortable with. The results have been somewhat surprising.
- Enjoy the ride. Perception of time is an odd thing. Some days will seem to crawl past. At other points you’ll wonder exactly where the last three months went. Don’t let either end of the scale scare you out of doing one of these worthwhile projects.
This is by no means an exhaustive list and I have no doubt I will be learning more lessons along the way. If you have your own hints and tips please share them with the rest of us as well!
Wonderful tips.
I am planning on taking up a 365 photo project and your thoughts were right on time.
Thanks,
Sasi
Thank you for this valuable information. Lately I have been reading a lot about 365/day photo projects and I’m ready to start one myself this upcoming January 1st.
You didn’t mention using the #photo365ideas on twitter.
I’m intending to start a 365 project in the new year …
I will start a project beginning January 1. I will document every day of the year focusing on taking a forward action/ step to realizing my goals. Also, it will document what my life looks like when I step off my path. Everyone needs a mirror held up to him/herself to see what they are really up to. This will be my mirror.
What a wonderful idea! But i dont have a good camera. I only have a 7.1megapixel canon digital ixus point and shoot type of camera. Do you think it would be a great project to do nonetheless?
Great tips. I’ve been thinking about taking on a project like this…with these tips, I just may :)
I’m doing one of my newborn baby. I started on her birth day and have been at it for 6 weeks. I’m having trouble finding time to process the photos though… she’s number 3. Anyone have any ideas for the best software to turn em into a lil’ movie?
Thanks for those tips! I’ve been trying the photograph a week thing for two years now with middling success, usually averaging around 30-40 pictures a year. Your tips will hopefully make it more successful next year (debating up it to twice a week, full 365 still too intimidating!). I especially liked the “goals” one because just one a week seems like a small goal but holy crap, when you’re in the midst of life and school it suddenly becomes HUGE. Maybe I shouldn’t have chosen Friday as my upload day, even though Photo Friday has a nice alliteration… ;)
Thanks for the tips. I have no camera at all and rather opted to take a picture of myself to see the gradual change over my last year of high school. Interesting indeed!
Great tips, thanks! I just decided last night for sure that I was going to do a daily photoblog, so it’s a nice treat to read this the next day and see there are others doing the same thing.
I am going to try 2 365 projects. One will be my daily random photo and will be published on http://www.brandyscruggs.com. The other will be a daily photo of my dog Chester. They will be published at http://www.mydogchester.com.
Wonderful tips! I’ve been planning on trying this project for a few years now, but it always seemed like too big of a project for me to handle. I’m going to start Jan 2010 and hope for the best. =D
I’m going to start a 365 project tomorrow too. Where are all of you planning on posting? Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, another site? Or, are you planning to just keep them for yourself?
@adam
Good point – I’ll look at amending this in a bit
@Jasrie
Any camera will do the job. It’s the photos you take that count
@Betsy
I believe Picasa (at least on windows) can convert a series of photos into a movie.
@ Dawnstar, hey thanks! i think i would just use whatever i have.
Very heplful thoughts – thanks – I’m inspired. I think 52 will fit me perfectly.
I did this for the first year of my daughters life, 366 photos because it was a leap year, and am working on it for my son now…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakeconlon/sets/72157600669713889/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakeconlon/sets/72157622598639196/
Thank you fot the idea :-)
I’ve just started my 365day photoproject at http://possofaredimeglio.wordpress.com (”posso fare di meglio” = I can do better).
I started one yesterday. I’ll link to whomever links to me, and vice versa. Mine is going to be done all with my camera phone. I snap a lot of photos with it anyway, so this should be no problem.
Thanks for all of the awesome tips! Lets see how long I stick to this haha. http://thediaryofanamateurphotographer.wordpress.com
@Jasrie
Any camera will do! There are people who have incredible gear that don’t create better than average work, and people armed with only cell phone cameras that make great work. It’s in the passion, eye and effort. The camera is just a tool. There may be limits on each tool- but there’s a way to succeed if you want to. Go for it!
Started my Photo A Day project Nov. 15, 2004. Titled “My Final Photo – If I died in my sleep this was it” has more than 5,700 photos, a fresh photo taken every day. I urge everyone interested in photography to begin today. It is possible to create a great document of our lives.
Thanks for this! I just started one Jan 1st on a whim.
I started one up on the 1st of Jan too! Looking forward to seeing how long I can keep it up with fresh ideas! =)
I have started one after being inspired by this article and the lifehacker one on new years eve that took me here. Thanks, I’m hoping I can keep it up because I am finding it a very useful and enjoyable exercise so far.
I started a 365 project with a friend, and after a month I was totally burned out by it ( have a full time job / and other responsibilities). But because I did it simultaneously with a friend ( we post it both on http://www.photodoubletrouble.com ) we are still able to be doing it. Your article has validated my feelings of my project, has open my eyes on what really counts and has left me in a generally good mood. Just love it!
Thanks mate!