It seems that every year around this time, 365Project prepares to welcome a bunch of new arrivals (or returning veterans) who vow to produce a photo every day for the entire year beginning January first!
While I'm not the first, I stand in line to welcome you with open arms! At first, this place can seem bit daunting, but rest assured there is more help here than you can handle! There is never a question you can ask that someone on here (usually several someones) isn't itching to answer! Many questions have already been asked in the past, and many of those can be found by conducting a simple search using the search box at the top right of this page.
Don't be afraid of posting your photos; everything is welcome, representing every level of aptitude and technique. From photos of a messy face after a first birthday party to multiple exposure light painting in the French Alps; we have it all and it is all welcome.
My best advice to you; treat this project as your own, because that is exactly what it is. If you miss days, don't worry about it (unless that is an absolute show-stopper for you). I've found that MANY who have hung their hat on exactly one photo per day without exception do not finish their project. Most mold themselves to the reality of life and many of them change their philosophy about what they want to get out of this project and find themselves enjoying the experience much more.
My goal when I started a couple of years ago was to become a better photographer and artist, and I feel I've achieved that goal tenfold!
Please, don't be discouraged with any negative you might see on this site; like any other place on the internet we are a big family from around the world with TONS of different experiences and opinions. Many on here aren't afraid to make their opinions known, which is great! Just ignore the ones you disagree with, or try to see their perspective. Either way, this is YOUR project so you are in control of it at all times.
Perfectly said! I'm a little more than halfway through my project and have already decided that I'm not going anywhere after the year is up. This is a wonderful, supportive place to learn and grow as a photgrapher! Welcome and I hope you all enjoy this journey as much as I have!
I second what Aaron said whole heartedly ! I have just finished my first year and was totally unprepared for the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone I've come across on this wonderful site.
I would also like to add that your "phojo" will definitely ebb and flow, so don't be disheartened when this happens.
Well said Aaron and so nice of you to welcome everyone. I agree with your comments, this site really is like a big extended family and each and everyone of us can teach someone else something new.
nicely said Aaron... and i echo your sentiments... this is indeed a wonderful community with lots and lots and lots of opportunity to learn everything you wanted to know, including a whole bunch of things you might never have even thought you might want to know, about photography!
Well said Sir.
I for one am loving this project.
I'm not convinced i'm better, but I know I see things differently, and almost everywhere I go, with or without my camera I am 'seeing a shot'. I love looking at things as I walk around and think "if only I had my camera" - and if I do have my camera, have the opportunity to capture it!
I am determined to carry on and complete a second year, and not miss a day, having missed (only) two this year!
And I must say that your shots have definitely inspired me to take better shots...!
@grizzlysghost well put Aaron! Can't think of a better person to summarise the 365 experience. You've captured an entire years worth of excellent shots from what I've seen this year! THAT is an achievement!
Thank you Aaron. Great introduction. I have only been a member for a little over a week and have so many ideas and not enough time that I'm running in circles. I just got back from a cruise where I met one of your ace members who encouraged me to join and I am so glad. I am still looking for people to follow when I have a rare spare moment. It is such a thrill to have accomplished photog hers review and comment on my work. Kathy
Well said and appreciated, Aaron. Anyone just joining -- It's an awesome worldwide family with one common thread: we all love photography and taking photos. So take 'em, and enjoy!!
@grizzlyghost Well said sir i started this project just over a year ago with the intention, and thinking i would, and would have to post a shot a day or else i would be out on my ear!!
How wrong could i be? Yes i have not posted every day, i have even missed weeks and more but i am still here, and here i intend to stay for another year, if not longer. I have not posted every day because we all have lives away from the site that is just the way things go, no biggie!!
I have made a lot of friends here it is one hell of a great relaxed place to just look in and see what is going on.
All i will say to newbies is do things how you want to do them there are no hard and fast rules here, except one sit back relax grab a drink and enjoy your time here!!
I intend to post at least a shot a week this year if not more (what i could do with doing is making the project my home page but i don't know how to that with Google chrome), remember this is YOUR project so play it your way.
Good Luck and all the best to all on here.
Paul.
Great post, Aaron, and useful advice! The other thing I'd add is that you'll find your own rhythm to things and don't worry about rushing it. It took me awhile to figure out my own pace, learn about challenges and themes that pushed me to think differently, read the discussion boards (the current ones as well as going through archived ones), identifying folks to follow so I could learn from them, learning to comment in more and more specific ways (plus the more general ones of 'liking' a photo), and most important, using time effectively so I didn't get overwhelmed. I can't believe there are 3 more photos to go to finish year 1.
You will have a GREAT time on the site -- it's the friendliest place you can imagine. Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from the more experienced group, but also find peers within your cohort so you can have fun learning together. It's a wonderful journey.
You are on the mark Aaron. I finished a year - almost a year ago now. It was a challenge, but I found myself carrying my camera with me everywhere and seeing the world around me in a different way. Talking to a friend the other day we made early New Year resolutions to tackle another year (for me) and a new challenge for Dee, in addition to a few other creative ideas. I hope this time round to generally improve. Here's hoping!
Great advice. I welcome everyone too. I'm close to my 100th picture now, which will be posted on NYE (I call that timing :D)
Oh, and for some young people that might just have signed up: Don't worry, no one will judge you because of your age (I'm just 13 myself...)
And btw: If you missed Jan 1, start whenever you like (I did on Sep 23 :'D)
What a great introduction and welcome Aaron @grizzlyghost. I'm nearly at the end of my first year and can truly say that it has had more impact on my life than I could have ever imagined. To emphasise a point which has already been made, the best advice I've had is 'your project your way'. To succeed it has to fit with your life rather than your life changing to fit the requirements of a strict photo a day project. This site gives you inspiring photographers to learn from, plenty of advice and challenges, and the impetus to improve by finding the beauty in the every day environment but, if every day doesn't work for you, then that doesn't diminish any of those things. So for all new 365ers, welcome, and make the most of all the wonderful things this community has to offer!
Very well said Aaron - especially the bit about making the project your own. I will be entering my third year and it took me ages to be ok with not posting every day - the pressure of trying to get a shot every day almost made me give up, am so glad I didn't.
I love the start of a new year and finding lots of newbies to follow - a fun time for all.
Hello, I'm hoping to improve my skill, and especially my artistic ability (currently lacking greatly) I want to challenge myself this coming year to think outside the box and more creatively, which is completely opposite my usual self.
So I guess we will see where this goes.
Thank you for this inspirational post @Aaron
I hope my profile photo doesn't come across as creepy, its one of the first self portraits I've attempted.
I disagree in this. I really joined this for daily shots, but there are so many people who don't. This messes up with the original idea of 365project in General. I really dislike that so many upload photos from different days and in extreme a batch with completly wrong day settings.
I just missed one photo and I am about to complete this project with an extra photo next year. If you wonder, I have internet connection problems and will upload the photos in the next days.
Additions - Awesome Aaron! ( he along with some other wonderful blokes are always willing to share advice/offer helpful information, added bonus - in easy to understand terms/language).
A Big, Big One - that part about don't give up if you don't post daily - it took me a year & 9 months to post my 365th shot - I would have lost so much had I given up, in fact I would be just plain lost! If you are joining to learn and improve your skills don't hang a caveat on those opportunities by sticking hard to deliver/ achieve rules. I agree that so many who setup strict rules or themes fail and never complete their project.
Most of all participate and have fun! and Welcome to the awesome addiction of 365!
Great piece, thank you for writing. I think the most important part is this is YOUR project and you are in control of it. We all work differently, what works for you may not work for somebody else. We must live and let live. I'm starting year two on 1st January. I couldn't bear to leave! Due to my fluctuating mental health sitn and also home circumstances, I am one of those people who post several days at a time on occasion. If only there was the luxury of knowing you could, without fail, shoot and post every day for a whole year! I wish you all health, wealth, peace and happiness for 2014 x x
I am so glad I joined up. Everyone has been so welcoming and it has really motivated me to get out with my camera and try to improve my photography. There is some spectacular work on here and I am really enjoying building a list of favs and follows. I hope I can get close to their standard one day!
I'm hoping it will be third times a charm for me! I started twice and failed, so I'm hoping to get in a full 2014! But as you say, "failed" isn't really accurate. I got so much out of the months I did work through and felt like I finally got to know my camera and really improved my work! That's all I ever really wanted to do, but I do need to keep at it :) Hoping I can keep my motivation up this time.
Well said Aaron! Like someone else posted, I did my first 365 and finished it in mid-Jan. this year. Then I ran out of steam and didn't do much this year and haven't even been on here much but I think I might dive back in for another year on 1 Jan. 2014.
Welcome one and all!This is the most amazing site for sharing,learning and growing.you will "meet" people from all around the world and see things in ways you never thought of before.I would add to the already wonderful advice and tips.....jump right in!Do not be afraid to post,ask or join in competitions.I am half way through my first year and I consider the competitions to be a photography class.they are fun learning experiences and nothing at all to feel intimidated about.Most of all just enjoy this amazing site !
@grizzlysghost
Such a beautiful welcome! Am almost to the end of my project but have learned so much by just being here.
I was hesitant to even comment at the start, but this us such a welcoming and encouraging community... so many i haven't met but are dear friends, and ever so helpful.
Thanks for the great advice I just joined and I am looking forward with some trepidation to this year. I really struggle to stick with things so my son suggested throwing my self into this kind of project and actually contributing instead of lurking! So I signed up and will start on the 1st. I'm also blogging this year too on chippy365.blogspot.com
Here's to an interesting new year!
I think @grizzlysghost and others have pretty much covered everything I would say. I'm a few months away from completing Year 3, and can't imagine NOT continuing! Welcome and remember to have fun!
@grizzlysghost Nicely said Aaron... Nothing really to add here... I am coming to the end of my first year and I can barely remember a time before doing this project. It is all about the community and what a great group of people we have here. To any new arrivals I add my welcome... to all the friends I have met over the last year, I look forward to continuing to follow your work. Bring on year 2 =)
Hello 365 community. Thanks for the lovely welcome! I've just uploaded my first photo- no work of art, but a future memory of taking my daughter to the drive-in movies with some friends. Her first experience of something I enjoyed with my friends back in the 1980's! I am no photographer, but hope to create a visual diary of my year. Hopefully thru this journey I will pick up some skills & tips and become a better photographer by the end of the year. I am looking forward to learning and sharing with everyone, so, Hello & I'm hoping 2014 is going to be a fabulous one for us all! :-)
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I would also like to add that your "phojo" will definitely ebb and flow, so don't be disheartened when this happens.
Welcome and enjoy :))
I for one am loving this project.
I'm not convinced i'm better, but I know I see things differently, and almost everywhere I go, with or without my camera I am 'seeing a shot'. I love looking at things as I walk around and think "if only I had my camera" - and if I do have my camera, have the opportunity to capture it!
I am determined to carry on and complete a second year, and not miss a day, having missed (only) two this year!
And I must say that your shots have definitely inspired me to take better shots...!
How wrong could i be? Yes i have not posted every day, i have even missed weeks and more but i am still here, and here i intend to stay for another year, if not longer. I have not posted every day because we all have lives away from the site that is just the way things go, no biggie!!
I have made a lot of friends here it is one hell of a great relaxed place to just look in and see what is going on.
All i will say to newbies is do things how you want to do them there are no hard and fast rules here, except one sit back relax grab a drink and enjoy your time here!!
I intend to post at least a shot a week this year if not more (what i could do with doing is making the project my home page but i don't know how to that with Google chrome), remember this is YOUR project so play it your way.
Good Luck and all the best to all on here.
Paul.
You will have a GREAT time on the site -- it's the friendliest place you can imagine. Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from the more experienced group, but also find peers within your cohort so you can have fun learning together. It's a wonderful journey.
Welcome to everyone coming in.
A couple more useful links with lots of information:
Getting started: http://365project.org/discuss/general/9968/getting-started-guide-for-new-users
Behind the scenes: http://365project.org/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-365-project
Oh, and for some young people that might just have signed up: Don't worry, no one will judge you because of your age (I'm just 13 myself...)
And btw: If you missed Jan 1, start whenever you like (I did on Sep 23 :'D)
I love the start of a new year and finding lots of newbies to follow - a fun time for all.
So I guess we will see where this goes.
Thank you for this inspirational post @Aaron
I hope my profile photo doesn't come across as creepy, its one of the first self portraits I've attempted.
I just missed one photo and I am about to complete this project with an extra photo next year. If you wonder, I have internet connection problems and will upload the photos in the next days.
A Big, Big One - that part about don't give up if you don't post daily - it took me a year & 9 months to post my 365th shot - I would have lost so much had I given up, in fact I would be just plain lost! If you are joining to learn and improve your skills don't hang a caveat on those opportunities by sticking hard to deliver/ achieve rules. I agree that so many who setup strict rules or themes fail and never complete their project.
Most of all participate and have fun! and Welcome to the awesome addiction of 365!
Happy shooting, snapping and editing. :)
Looking forward to the experience.
Thanks for all the advice and welcoming words - sure does seem a friendly place!
Such a beautiful welcome! Am almost to the end of my project but have learned so much by just being here.
I was hesitant to even comment at the start, but this us such a welcoming and encouraging community... so many i haven't met but are dear friends, and ever so helpful.
Here's to an interesting new year!
For everyone else, please feel free to drop by and give any comments or crits that you wish.
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to meeting you all!