1. A YEAR DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In spite of all the days I felt uninspired, unmotivated, frustrated or was too busy, sick or just lazy, I still managed to improve! I am comfortable carrying my camera around. I know where most of the buttons are even without my glasses. I don't have to refer to my "cheat sheet" to download (but still to do some processing). And I feel okay about people seeing me take pictures....I really don't need a cloak of invisibility! Although I still chant to myself that I am one with my environment....I am one...
Even at a festival I was ready...
2. BETTER EQUIPMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE ONLY IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT. My camera died on vacation this year and I impulsively bought an upgrade (I needed to complete my project!). Transition was exciting instead of frustrating because of the knowledge I had already acquired. On the flip side a good photographer can get an excellent image with any camera.
3. IT IS MY PROJECT THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER MY REASONS FOR STARTING IT. I can get off track by my own competitiveness and unreasonable expectations. For example: I must take, download, process and post daily. Regardless! Well, my circumstances prevented that pretty quickly. So, my choices were to quit or (drum roll) press on toward the goal of learning and growing as a photographer.
4. MY TRIPOD IS MY FRIEND. Almost BFFs! I went from not wanting to lug it around to taking her everywhere...Don't tell her but I think I need an upgrade.
I could not have achieved this shot without my tripod!
5. SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE NOT SCARY PLACES. My life is very social although by nature I am not. I have failed at facebook. I thought I would just lurk and post on 365. But there are so many diverse, amazing, creatively talented people I just couldn't help myself! I have SLOWLY commented, followed and fav'ed until I have made friends in spite of myself. And I like it.
I weirdly had 544 views on this image which amazes me.
6. ANYTHING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE A GREAT IMAGE. You just need the right camera settings, point of view and lighting. Persistance and sometimes acrobatic skills can be an asset too!
7. BROWSING THROUGH OTHERS PHOTOS IS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN AND BE INSPIRED. School has ingrained the thought that plagiarism is wrong. Well, I am not a good enough photographer to copy someone elses work. But to see the differences in how we interpret sameness is challenging and promotes growth.
I never thought it would be so fun to photograph a flower.
8. IF NO ONE SEES YOUR WORK YOU WILL NOT RECIEVE INSTRUCTION OR ENCOURAGEMENT. For years I wrote poetry no one saw.....guess you would call that journaling! Lately I had someone approach me at the salon and say they really liked my work. It took me a minute to realize they were refering to the photographs decorating the salon not the hair-do I was doing. Without 365 I am not sure I would have been willing to share so much of myself.
9. YOU CANNOT TAKE A PHOTO WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA, A CHARGED BATTERY AND A MEMORY CARD. Ugh. This one speaks for itself! You can also be limited by a dirty lens and misplaced equipment. That pesky remote is much too small to keep up with!
10. YOU GET OUT OF YOUR PROJECT WHAT YOU PUT IN. There is a story about a young woman who approached a concert violinist after a moving performance. She said, "I would give my life to play like that!" to which the violinist replied, "I did." Well, maybe not my life but I have certainly turned a sometimes hobby into a passion....or an obsession, depends upon who you ask!
Me and my obses.. (ahem) passion!
Well, I have written a book thanks for letting me share!
Well done you! That is a magnificent achievement, and you should be patting yourself on the back bigstyle. Your work is clearly very good indeed, and the great thing is we can all go on learning, from wherever we are right now!
Firstly well done for completing the year, secondly what a great article this is to read. Very helpful and motivating for those still working our way through. Thank you.
Well said! And congrats on completing your FIRST 365! I'm glad you've let me tag along with you on your journey... of course, I hope you haven't reached your destination and that you will journey on! I'm about ready for a field trip! :) Some great photos in this post!
Echo everyone of your top ten! Congratulations! As someone who took way more than a year to post 365 photos I can say that it doesn't matter when you post that 365th shot the elation and sense of accomplishment is amazing!
Agree with it all. Thanks for the carefully thought out initial post. I might add two from my one year here.
Perhaps as well as tripods being our friends, we should add Image Stabilized lenses. I find I can hand hold most shots under 1/4 second with Nikon (at least four, usually 5, stops of safety with their VRiii) and Sigma (up to four) technology, except at extreme telephoto distance, 300mm and beyond.
Every image is better brought into a good editor, judiciously examined and adjusted with taste and care.
Well done on finishing. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that there are lots of wonderful people here on 365project who are willing to offer advice, help, support or whatever. Make use of it.
@frankhymus Thanks Frank! I certainly have learned about Image Stabilization. I am experiencing some heath issues at the moment and honestly didn't realize my macro lens did not have it until then. I was so frustruated to keep seeing slightly fuzzy shots I almost gave up the macro!! Now I know I will just have to always depend on my tripod until I am a bit more steady!!
Editing is my weakest link. I spend alot of time staring (and speaking in different tones-- in case it makes a difference) at the screen and wondering why we can't be better friends. Year two will definitely be spent trying to overcome this hangup!
I haven't been following you, but have really enjoyed reading your Top Ten Things Learned. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on making it right through the year.
Thank you for posting this list and congratulations on completing your project. I empathise and agree with all 10 of your points (except I'm too lazy to lug the tripod around too often) :)
Thank you for your very insightful post, congratulations on completing the project. Agree with all our post and still along way or me to imp complete this wonderful journey
Congrats - you've done really well it looks like. Good luck with Year 2. I am almost through Year 3.......and just now considering this being my last year, but so much support and friendship here......from people I've never even met! isn't it such a weird and awesome thing!?
Congratulations...and very helpful tips. I made through my first year and into my second without befriending that tripod....but maybe I will give him another try. Thanks.
You are as creative with words as your are with your camera. What interesting reading! I find this the most wonderful site for inspiration and encouragement - and enjoyment. Congratulations on a most successful first year.
Deanna,
So glad I found this! Great top ten list and fabulous photos to illustrate! Without you I would have never found this site. I feel blessed to have been able to share in this journey together.
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Perhaps as well as tripods being our friends, we should add Image Stabilized lenses. I find I can hand hold most shots under 1/4 second with Nikon (at least four, usually 5, stops of safety with their VRiii) and Sigma (up to four) technology, except at extreme telephoto distance, 300mm and beyond.
Every image is better brought into a good editor, judiciously examined and adjusted with taste and care.
Editing is my weakest link. I spend alot of time staring (and speaking in different tones-- in case it makes a difference) at the screen and wondering why we can't be better friends. Year two will definitely be spent trying to overcome this hangup!
So glad I found this! Great top ten list and fabulous photos to illustrate! Without you I would have never found this site. I feel blessed to have been able to share in this journey together.