I've been around for about three months now and I'm really enjoying myself here. Now that I'm not so "new" anymore, I thought I'd ask a few questions about how the rest of you choose the photos for your projects and what you do with them before posting (if anything). This is just out of curiosity -- I'm not looking for advice -- I realize that each of us has his or her own personal "style". So here goes...
1. Does your project have a theme?
My own project doesn't -- I do have a lot of shots of flowers and of my dog, but that's mainly because those are the things I seem to take the most pictures of. In fact, I would prefer to diversify a bit if I could find something else interesting to shoot.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
This is a tough one for me. On most days, I take lots of shots and I often have several that I really like. I usually go with the shot that I like the most, rather than the one that I think my followers will find most appealing (and often that's not one and the same). My reasoning is that this is my project and I want it to reflect who I am rather than catering to the tastes of the people who follow me. That means that there are some days when I post something I really love and it gets almost no comments at all. I'll admit that that bothered me at first, but it doesn't really anymore. Of course everyone wants their photo on the popular and trending pages, but I don't go for popular and trending at the expense of not posting something that reflects who I am and how I see the world. On some days, generally on the ones when I don't have a lot of time for photography, I choose something representative of my day.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
I shoot in raw (actually, I shoot in raw+jpg, but I rarely even look at the jpg files), so I usually have to tweak my photos before I can post them. I enjoy that part of the process and although it's always exciting to get something that looks perfect right out of the camera, I can still spend a long time looking at those shots to see if there might be just something little that I want to improve. I also crop when necessary to improve my composition or to get in closer. I realize that it's best to do this when shooting, but I have difficulty with this when I'm struggling to focus on a moving bee or when my lens doesn't allow me to get in as close as I'd like. On occasion, I do some heavy processing. I figure that this is my work and I want it to look a certain way before I post it. I'll do everything I can to get the best shot right out of the camera, but I look at photography as art and part of the process is making something look exactly as you imagined it (which isn't necessarily always the way it looks in reality). And sometimes I just want to save a bad shot with potential :-)
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
I generally try to narrow it down to one. I use my additional album for theme contests and when I want to ask for help with something. Once or twice, though, I've been torn between two shots and uploaded both of them, one to each album.
1. no theme...I don't even think I have a style specifically!
2.I take a lot of photos most days. sometimes it is hard to choose, sometimes I make a collage, sometimes there is one standout, and like hippiechick13 if there is a challenge involved I have to post that.
3. much like you I shoot in raw, process most everything somewhat, and if you look at my project, somedays I go hogwild on the processing!
4. usually I post to all three albums. rarely do I only use just one.
I'm a newbie at 365project, not quite 6 months here. But I've been soing photography for a few decades. Here's my responses to your questions:
1. Does your project have a theme? - No theme. I still tend to shoot the types of things that I tend to shoot.... Whatever strikes me. But the "pressure" of a photo a day has pushed me to broaden my awareness.
2. . How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? - I generally post my favorite image of the day. BUT, I rarely have a stack of images from which to choose, as I have a full-time job, family and busy life. Meanwhile, I do try to fight the desire to post what I think will get the most views / comments. Sometimes I lose that fight....
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload? - I don't do anything differently for 365project than anywhere else. I edit just as much as I think the specific image warrants. That said, I am not shy about editing, and rarely (if ever) post "SOOC". Usually crop / exposure type adjustments, but I'm not afraid to go to extremes if I feel that's what an image calls for. Often, my compositions are shot with future editing in mind (especially w/ B&W). Editing is just part of the process.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day? - I have only recently added extra albums. My use of those is evolving, but I expect they'll settle out to be like what you described.
Great questions! I've only been on 365Project since Jan, but I've taken daily photos for years, so thought that I would chime in with my answers:
1. No theme; I've always just taken photos of what I wanted to remember from my day.
Some year if I get bored, I may try a theme...but I belong to another group that gives daily prompts (polka dots; where I stand; remembering...) and have found that although occasionally they help me to look at my life from a different angle, they usually don't represent my day very well. I keep a daily photo journal, so I want my pic to be one that in ten years I will look back on and say, "Wow! Look at all the snow we got that day!" or "What beautiful flowers we had in our yard!" etc.
Once I moved to Florida for 3 years ...During that time I loved seeing the ocean, but I desperately missed seeing the "mundane" mountains that I had just taken for granted all my life; I wished that I had taken more photos of them before moving...Lesson learned the hard way!
2. I take a bunch of photos, narrow it down to a few that I like and that are representative of my life ...and then ask my son (who is quite opinionated and decisive!) to pick one for me. He is always happy to give input.
3. My son has told me that he likes my pics best straight out of the camera and wishes I could get over my addiction to Photoshop, but I often end up doing a little cropping, trying to sharpen them, seeing how the pic would look as a sketch, or just playing around to see if I can get an effect that I like ...i.e., every day is different as to how much I change the photo.
That said, I see quite a few jaw-droppingly beautiful photos on this site and at times am embarrassed that mine must look like a kindergartener to people who actually know what they are doing ...but I shrug that feeling off quickly; I'm going to just keep on cheerfully posting away and learning to do better! The Camera Settings Challenges here have helped me a lot and I'm going to keep practicing.
4. I only have one album for this first year; I am expecting 365 as a Christmas present from a family member and at that time will decide what to do with albums.
Thanks for asking these questions; I look forward to seeing everyone's answers.
I find it important to think about these questions (among others) before starting such a project and during the project as well. I think the questions and answers here will help others who are unsure whether to start this project or not.
Now, answers from a newbie 365er.
1. Does your project have a theme?
No general theme because of two reasons.
a) I don't have a settled style, in fact I'm kind of looking for what I enjoy the most and if I turn out to be half-decent in something.
b) I don't want to limit myself (definitely not in the first year) by setting up artificial rules. I'm sure I'll come to a point when I'll struggle finding a theme even without restrictions*. Let's survive year one and then I'll see.
* I set up two "restrictions" only: post only one photo a day and that photo must be made that day. These are to help me keep a rhythm and not building up a backlog.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I'm usually pick what I personally like. In fact, being an amateur with a daily job other than photography I usually make a low number of images of an even lower number of themes which makes this selection process easier. It may sound cliche but I'm doing this project for myself, to get better in a way, and not to entertain others. This, of course, doesn't mean that I'm not happy receiving feedback and I'm sure some of those feedback make their mark on my later photos but this is, I think, part of the process of getting better.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
A lot. In fact I probably overdo most of my photos. I noticed lately that those needing minimal enhancements are what both I and my visitors like the most.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
No. This is one of the two rules I set up, one published photo a day. Or, more precisely, one selected photo for that day. Sometimes I publish more than one shot on other sites stating clearly which one is the shot of the day and which are "outtakes" or misc. images but that doesn't happen too often. I believe this builds self criticism and self confidence in the same time.
1. I sometimes use themes, sometimes not - depends on what appeals at the time. I like to challenge myself as I (hopefully) improve my photography, and staying in my comfort zone can be too tempting.
2. I decide on my subject for the day, take several pictures, edit and/or process, then either decide which one I like the best, or sometimes ask my husband for his input - usually to do with composition, as he's an artist.
3. Cropping is something I do with most of my photographs, as I take everything on a Samsung Galaxy tablet, which doesn't give too great a shape. I will enhance colour if necessary - the light in Scotland can lend dullness to a shot - but I love it if I get a shot that I feel is fine as it is.
4. I do post in multiple albums at the moment, as I'm trying to pull together a particular collection. But that will stop when the collection is complete, and I will try to limit myself to one a day. But I find it so hard to choose!!
You came up with pretty good answers yourself. But you asked what we do, so here's my answer.
I don't have a theme, and the pictures I post are the ones I like best--not necessarily taken on the day I post them as I'm not an ACE member, and therefore am limited to one shot a day. As for processing, I haven't gotten into anything fancy. Sometimes I leave it SOOC, and sometimes I'll crop, sharpen, intensify color, or something else simple.
I am a newbie like you - I am doing 365 project since 1st April. I am quite new to photography as well so I am just trying out - styles, subjects, PP, cropping. I don't have a theme but have a rule - the photo needs to be taken that day - so far each of my photos were taken each of the dates where they are in my album. I have days when I don't have time to go out with my camera and those days I fill my album with a photo taken at home. My kids sometimes help me to choose the photo which I upload; I don't upload the one which I think my followers would like but the one I like and am happy with. If I keep 365 days (what I am aiming) I will make an actual album at the end of the year; but still have a long way to go.
No theme, once I did a week in macro but that's it.
Guess it depends if I'm using a filler or something I took that day. Fillers can be almost anything, or I choose my favourite picture of the day to publish.
I have published a few SOOC pictures, but I usually do edit a bit. Or a lot for ETSOOI ;) I shoot RAW so editing is kinda must.
I only have one album. Some days I feel like I could use more, but sometimes it's hard to find even one.
I don't have a theme, although I do a lot of challenges so a lot of my picture center around those. I take a lot of pictures. I upload my best ones. I do edit them before loading (or use Pic Monkey once loaded), It's your project, do it however you want. Some people think the picture has to be taken the day it is posted, but I usually post mine the day after I take them. It's whatever works for you. Just have fun with it. And ask questions. If someone takes an unusual shot and you want to know how they did it, ask. They will usually tell you. Lots of great mentors on here.
Interesting to read all the responses...I'm in year 3 and that is different than Year 1 and 2 focus.
Year 3
1. No theme...post what I feel like, but have occasionally done a b&w month
2. I post what strikes me from photos I've taken. Sometimes taken that day, sometimes from a photo walk that week, sometimes from an trip when I'm working on an album/photobook
3. I shoot in RAW so always do some editing. I think processing tools digitally are the same as those used when darkrooms were around so try to become more skilled at Lightroom (didn't start that til Year 3), and plug-ins such as Nik Suite. PS is on my agenda at some point in the not too distant future.
4. Have 3 albums, mostly use one, and second one when I'm doing challenges (highly recommend -- in my first year those are when helped me learn new strategies and techniques, push myself, and start to figure out if I had a style), 3rd one usually when traveling and posting photos from the trip.
Main difference: Year 1 -- about developing the habit of photography, Year 2 -- about learning to process effectively, raise my bar for what I would post in quality and learn more about how to critique my own work, Year 3 -- very relaxed about when I photograph but trying to stay disciplined about doing something photographic each day, even if it is solely to view others' photos and comment.
2. I post what I consider the best. Advice from the inimitable Scott Kelby, only show your absolute best, processed, cropped and retouched as well as you can. Remembering that even pros, out of a concentrated "shoot" can sometimes have a yield of as few as three or four per hundred.
3. I shoot raw, so every shot is taken into the editor and "processed" for proper demosaicing (sp?) by the editor's defaults at least. Further consideration of tone, color, exposure, contrast, crop, lens distortion and straightening adjustments, noise evaluation/mitigation and especially proper sharpening I consider essential for any image that I show publically. I would claim this is nothing more than professionals do consistently. With perhaps the exception of photo journalists under a deadline, but they will then shoot jpeg if so. I like B&W, and I always covert the raw and adjust the greyscale at least.
I don't do much content manipulation usually, but will clone out spots, defects and "unwanted" artifacts.
All that being said, there are certain things that cannot be corrected optimally in the editor. Sloppy focus, camera shake and "blown" or "clipped" highlights and shadows that can't be recovered are for me three big ones. Shooting technique still accounts for most of the subsequent success or failure of any image.
4. Depends how many good ones emerge. Sometimes one, sometimes five. I use 365 to share with family, I am not a fan of standard social media.
I do not have any theme for my project. Each year I have tried to work on one particular aspect (i.e. light; post-processing). I try to interprete the word of day for two sets of monthly words. I may add a thrid theme for the month if I find one I like.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I try to post the best images for each topic of the day. I usually have two or three images that are what I want to post. I shoot a lot of flowers and fish.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
I shoot fine jpeg images (RAW has never appealled to me as I have not heard a compelling reason to use it.) I believe shooting jpegs makes me concenrate more on each shot and why and how I am making it. I still edit each image I post. Usually this is opening shadows a little, bumping the contrast a little, and slight increase in vibrance. I will sometimes crop an image to emphasize what I want.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
I have 5 albums and I will post in each album for each day. This does not mean I shoot everyday or post everyday as my schedule may not give me that time. I try to not to get more then two days behind.
1 - it's pretty much completely random
2 - these days I'm lucky to have one shot I'm happy with... If I have two, I'd probably save the second one for tomorrow ;p
3 - a whole bunch!
4 - rarely.. See answer to question 2!
Hi!
1. No theme, but I do sometimes participate in monthly challenges (like this month's 30 days wild) or a black and white month.
2.Totally whatever strikes my mood.
3. My favorite thing to do is edit, so almost always.
4. I have 4 albums, but only commit to my main 365 album. On the weekends, when guests are here or when a really fun challenge is happening, I will post more than one a day.
1. Does your project have a theme?
I don't usually shoot any particular theme. I'm pretty random, and it often depends on what I have available to shoot that week.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I usually pick the best photos to upload. I started this project in January with only one rule: whatever I posted for that day had to be shot on that day. I had to change that rule due to work and having very little if any time to shoot during the week. Now I shoot mainly on the weekends and try to get enough good shots to post for the week. If I have time during the week to shoot, then that's just gravy.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
I shoot in RAW all the time, unless doing a shoot where I need continuous shutter. I edit all my photos to a degree (crop, contrast, highlights, clarity, etc.)
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
I only post to multiple albums when doing a challenge and then only if not using that photo for my project.
It's fun to see all the answers above- I'll try to keep mine short!
1) no theme but I occasionally do challenges and themes, so a mini theme might emerge from one of those.
2) I choose according to my mood or what I've been shooting. If I've done a photo walk, I may use several shots I'm pleased with over the course of a few days. If I've taken a trip or have done something spectacular (like my recent hot air balloon ride!), pictures from that may pop in and out of my project when I don't have a "shot of the day". Bottom line- I think I post whatever I want whenever I feel like it. But I'm in year #5 and I like the freedom that gives me to do either or. I do have an ace account but 2 photos a day is enough for me. I can't keep up with the comments otherwise.
3) I do whatever editing I feel the picture needs. I usually at least sharpen it and make sure the color is where I want it. But some days I just love going over the top with the editing! So you will find the editing in my projects runs the gamut!
4) I do have the capability of 5 albums (I think) but that's way too many for me! I post in two. One is my 365 Project the other is supposed to be for Themes and Competitions. But I have flip-flopped them quite often so those titles are loosely adhered to! I have a third album which is linked to the 365 Toy Group. I only post in that one once a week- on the day it's my turn to post a toy shot.
My main goal is always to enjoy the things I do on 365. And I have learned so much here it's hard to put it in words. But this community is truly responsible for the confidence I have today. So welcome aboard and thanks for sharing a little about yourself!
1. Nope, no theme...although to look at my photos you might think differently. LOL
2. I try to choose the one I like the best from the day ---EVEN IF I DON'T TAKE IT ON THAT DAY....because well, I have a very hectic and crazy life right now, and I just enjoy sharing my photos. PFFFFT. No rules here!! ;)
3. I only edit as I feel necessary - my goal is to try to make the photo as close to what I "saw" as possible. But sometimes I go crazy for fun - or do something a little different....example: just went to a vintage baseball game the other day, so I edited to make the photos look a little older. It doesn't matter if you just post what you shot with no editing either. All up to you!! It's your project!
4. If I do run into more than one photo that I want to post on the same day, I will post a second one to the alternate album or on days that I missed uploading a photo.
Basically, I just enjoy it. To put too many rules to it makes it less fun---and I enjoy the friendships I've made on here just as much as the photo taking. I know for fact I can never take one photo a day, because it's just not that easy for me. So I do what I can when I can. I hope you enjoy it!! This is my second year, and still going!!!!!
I've really enjoyed reading all of your replies and I hope others will take part in this thread, as well. A lot of you mentioned posting a photo taken on the day that it's posted. I also post only photos from the same day (sometimes I have to post them a day late, but the date that they're posted is the date that they were taken). I, too, work full time, but I make a point of taking a picture of something every day and if I know I'm going to be out of the house for the whole day, I take my camera with me. Some pictures, like the one below, I take while sitting at my desk and those are usually the only pictures I get on those days. I know myself and I know that if I don't stay disciplined in this regard, I will end up skipping a lot of days and I won't finish my project.
1. No theme - except perhaps sometimes I choose, say, my fav colour and post for a few days! Oh and join in word of the day or follow a theme/challenge.
2. I post the shot I like best, not always taken on the day, usually close to it. Often take myself out on a solitary photoshoot and gather a few pix. I take photos of allsorts.
3. Editing, if at all, is usually confined to crop, occasional sharpen or adjust exposure, very rarely I clone and heal. Shoot in jpg which I find fine for purpose and I dislike over-processing.
4. I have 5 albums, but usually post just 2 shots per day, occasionally 3 - I'd like to post only one but find myself pretty much incapable of doing that!
Thanks for starting the thread, Hamora, and making us think! Like you I find that my favourites amongst my own shots are mostly not the favs of my friends on 365.
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Sure, I'll answer :-)
1. No theme - no rhyme or reason
2. I post whichever pic speaks to me the most that day.
3. I usually edit the heck out of everything
4. There are times I'll post three a day, especially if I'm participating in a challenge
2.I take a lot of photos most days. sometimes it is hard to choose, sometimes I make a collage, sometimes there is one standout, and like hippiechick13 if there is a challenge involved I have to post that.
3. much like you I shoot in raw, process most everything somewhat, and if you look at my project, somedays I go hogwild on the processing!
4. usually I post to all three albums. rarely do I only use just one.
I'm a newbie at 365project, not quite 6 months here. But I've been soing photography for a few decades. Here's my responses to your questions:
1. Does your project have a theme? - No theme. I still tend to shoot the types of things that I tend to shoot.... Whatever strikes me. But the "pressure" of a photo a day has pushed me to broaden my awareness.
2. . How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? - I generally post my favorite image of the day. BUT, I rarely have a stack of images from which to choose, as I have a full-time job, family and busy life. Meanwhile, I do try to fight the desire to post what I think will get the most views / comments. Sometimes I lose that fight....
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload? - I don't do anything differently for 365project than anywhere else. I edit just as much as I think the specific image warrants. That said, I am not shy about editing, and rarely (if ever) post "SOOC". Usually crop / exposure type adjustments, but I'm not afraid to go to extremes if I feel that's what an image calls for. Often, my compositions are shot with future editing in mind (especially w/ B&W). Editing is just part of the process.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day? - I have only recently added extra albums. My use of those is evolving, but I expect they'll settle out to be like what you described.
1. No theme; I've always just taken photos of what I wanted to remember from my day.
Some year if I get bored, I may try a theme...but I belong to another group that gives daily prompts (polka dots; where I stand; remembering...) and have found that although occasionally they help me to look at my life from a different angle, they usually don't represent my day very well. I keep a daily photo journal, so I want my pic to be one that in ten years I will look back on and say, "Wow! Look at all the snow we got that day!" or "What beautiful flowers we had in our yard!" etc.
Once I moved to Florida for 3 years ...During that time I loved seeing the ocean, but I desperately missed seeing the "mundane" mountains that I had just taken for granted all my life; I wished that I had taken more photos of them before moving...Lesson learned the hard way!
2. I take a bunch of photos, narrow it down to a few that I like and that are representative of my life ...and then ask my son (who is quite opinionated and decisive!) to pick one for me. He is always happy to give input.
3. My son has told me that he likes my pics best straight out of the camera and wishes I could get over my addiction to Photoshop, but I often end up doing a little cropping, trying to sharpen them, seeing how the pic would look as a sketch, or just playing around to see if I can get an effect that I like ...i.e., every day is different as to how much I change the photo.
That said, I see quite a few jaw-droppingly beautiful photos on this site and at times am embarrassed that mine must look like a kindergartener to people who actually know what they are doing ...but I shrug that feeling off quickly; I'm going to just keep on cheerfully posting away and learning to do better! The Camera Settings Challenges here have helped me a lot and I'm going to keep practicing.
4. I only have one album for this first year; I am expecting 365 as a Christmas present from a family member and at that time will decide what to do with albums.
Thanks for asking these questions; I look forward to seeing everyone's answers.
Now, answers from a newbie 365er.
1. Does your project have a theme?
No general theme because of two reasons.
a) I don't have a settled style, in fact I'm kind of looking for what I enjoy the most and if I turn out to be half-decent in something.
b) I don't want to limit myself (definitely not in the first year) by setting up artificial rules. I'm sure I'll come to a point when I'll struggle finding a theme even without restrictions*. Let's survive year one and then I'll see.
* I set up two "restrictions" only: post only one photo a day and that photo must be made that day. These are to help me keep a rhythm and not building up a backlog.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I'm usually pick what I personally like. In fact, being an amateur with a daily job other than photography I usually make a low number of images of an even lower number of themes which makes this selection process easier. It may sound cliche but I'm doing this project for myself, to get better in a way, and not to entertain others. This, of course, doesn't mean that I'm not happy receiving feedback and I'm sure some of those feedback make their mark on my later photos but this is, I think, part of the process of getting better.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
A lot. In fact I probably overdo most of my photos. I noticed lately that those needing minimal enhancements are what both I and my visitors like the most.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
No. This is one of the two rules I set up, one published photo a day. Or, more precisely, one selected photo for that day. Sometimes I publish more than one shot on other sites stating clearly which one is the shot of the day and which are "outtakes" or misc. images but that doesn't happen too often. I believe this builds self criticism and self confidence in the same time.
2. I decide on my subject for the day, take several pictures, edit and/or process, then either decide which one I like the best, or sometimes ask my husband for his input - usually to do with composition, as he's an artist.
3. Cropping is something I do with most of my photographs, as I take everything on a Samsung Galaxy tablet, which doesn't give too great a shape. I will enhance colour if necessary - the light in Scotland can lend dullness to a shot - but I love it if I get a shot that I feel is fine as it is.
4. I do post in multiple albums at the moment, as I'm trying to pull together a particular collection. But that will stop when the collection is complete, and I will try to limit myself to one a day. But I find it so hard to choose!!
I don't have a theme, and the pictures I post are the ones I like best--not necessarily taken on the day I post them as I'm not an ACE member, and therefore am limited to one shot a day. As for processing, I haven't gotten into anything fancy. Sometimes I leave it SOOC, and sometimes I'll crop, sharpen, intensify color, or something else simple.
No theme, once I did a week in macro but that's it.
Guess it depends if I'm using a filler or something I took that day. Fillers can be almost anything, or I choose my favourite picture of the day to publish.
I have published a few SOOC pictures, but I usually do edit a bit. Or a lot for ETSOOI ;) I shoot RAW so editing is kinda must.
I only have one album. Some days I feel like I could use more, but sometimes it's hard to find even one.
Year 3
1. No theme...post what I feel like, but have occasionally done a b&w month
2. I post what strikes me from photos I've taken. Sometimes taken that day, sometimes from a photo walk that week, sometimes from an trip when I'm working on an album/photobook
3. I shoot in RAW so always do some editing. I think processing tools digitally are the same as those used when darkrooms were around so try to become more skilled at Lightroom (didn't start that til Year 3), and plug-ins such as Nik Suite. PS is on my agenda at some point in the not too distant future.
4. Have 3 albums, mostly use one, and second one when I'm doing challenges (highly recommend -- in my first year those are when helped me learn new strategies and techniques, push myself, and start to figure out if I had a style), 3rd one usually when traveling and posting photos from the trip.
Main difference: Year 1 -- about developing the habit of photography, Year 2 -- about learning to process effectively, raise my bar for what I would post in quality and learn more about how to critique my own work, Year 3 -- very relaxed about when I photograph but trying to stay disciplined about doing something photographic each day, even if it is solely to view others' photos and comment.
2. I post what I consider the best. Advice from the inimitable Scott Kelby, only show your absolute best, processed, cropped and retouched as well as you can. Remembering that even pros, out of a concentrated "shoot" can sometimes have a yield of as few as three or four per hundred.
3. I shoot raw, so every shot is taken into the editor and "processed" for proper demosaicing (sp?) by the editor's defaults at least. Further consideration of tone, color, exposure, contrast, crop, lens distortion and straightening adjustments, noise evaluation/mitigation and especially proper sharpening I consider essential for any image that I show publically. I would claim this is nothing more than professionals do consistently. With perhaps the exception of photo journalists under a deadline, but they will then shoot jpeg if so. I like B&W, and I always covert the raw and adjust the greyscale at least.
I don't do much content manipulation usually, but will clone out spots, defects and "unwanted" artifacts.
All that being said, there are certain things that cannot be corrected optimally in the editor. Sloppy focus, camera shake and "blown" or "clipped" highlights and shadows that can't be recovered are for me three big ones. Shooting technique still accounts for most of the subsequent success or failure of any image.
4. Depends how many good ones emerge. Sometimes one, sometimes five. I use 365 to share with family, I am not a fan of standard social media.
I do not have any theme for my project. Each year I have tried to work on one particular aspect (i.e. light; post-processing). I try to interprete the word of day for two sets of monthly words. I may add a thrid theme for the month if I find one I like.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I try to post the best images for each topic of the day. I usually have two or three images that are what I want to post. I shoot a lot of flowers and fish.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
I shoot fine jpeg images (RAW has never appealled to me as I have not heard a compelling reason to use it.) I believe shooting jpegs makes me concenrate more on each shot and why and how I am making it. I still edit each image I post. Usually this is opening shadows a little, bumping the contrast a little, and slight increase in vibrance. I will sometimes crop an image to emphasize what I want.
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
I have 5 albums and I will post in each album for each day. This does not mean I shoot everyday or post everyday as my schedule may not give me that time. I try to not to get more then two days behind.
2 - these days I'm lucky to have one shot I'm happy with... If I have two, I'd probably save the second one for tomorrow ;p
3 - a whole bunch!
4 - rarely.. See answer to question 2!
1. No theme, but I do sometimes participate in monthly challenges (like this month's 30 days wild) or a black and white month.
2.Totally whatever strikes my mood.
3. My favorite thing to do is edit, so almost always.
4. I have 4 albums, but only commit to my main 365 album. On the weekends, when guests are here or when a really fun challenge is happening, I will post more than one a day.
I don't usually shoot any particular theme. I'm pretty random, and it often depends on what I have available to shoot that week.
2. How do you decide which photo you want to upload each day? Do you choose something representative of your day or do you choose your best shot regardless of the content?
I usually pick the best photos to upload. I started this project in January with only one rule: whatever I posted for that day had to be shot on that day. I had to change that rule due to work and having very little if any time to shoot during the week. Now I shoot mainly on the weekends and try to get enough good shots to post for the week. If I have time during the week to shoot, then that's just gravy.
3. How much editing (if any) do you do before you upload?
I shoot in RAW all the time, unless doing a shoot where I need continuous shutter. I edit all my photos to a degree (crop, contrast, highlights, clarity, etc.)
4. If you have multiple albums, do you post more than one shot a day?
I only post to multiple albums when doing a challenge and then only if not using that photo for my project.
1) no theme but I occasionally do challenges and themes, so a mini theme might emerge from one of those.
2) I choose according to my mood or what I've been shooting. If I've done a photo walk, I may use several shots I'm pleased with over the course of a few days. If I've taken a trip or have done something spectacular (like my recent hot air balloon ride!), pictures from that may pop in and out of my project when I don't have a "shot of the day". Bottom line- I think I post whatever I want whenever I feel like it. But I'm in year #5 and I like the freedom that gives me to do either or. I do have an ace account but 2 photos a day is enough for me. I can't keep up with the comments otherwise.
3) I do whatever editing I feel the picture needs. I usually at least sharpen it and make sure the color is where I want it. But some days I just love going over the top with the editing! So you will find the editing in my projects runs the gamut!
4) I do have the capability of 5 albums (I think) but that's way too many for me! I post in two. One is my 365 Project the other is supposed to be for Themes and Competitions. But I have flip-flopped them quite often so those titles are loosely adhered to! I have a third album which is linked to the 365 Toy Group. I only post in that one once a week- on the day it's my turn to post a toy shot.
My main goal is always to enjoy the things I do on 365. And I have learned so much here it's hard to put it in words. But this community is truly responsible for the confidence I have today. So welcome aboard and thanks for sharing a little about yourself!
1. Nope, no theme...although to look at my photos you might think differently. LOL
2. I try to choose the one I like the best from the day ---EVEN IF I DON'T TAKE IT ON THAT DAY....because well, I have a very hectic and crazy life right now, and I just enjoy sharing my photos. PFFFFT. No rules here!! ;)
3. I only edit as I feel necessary - my goal is to try to make the photo as close to what I "saw" as possible. But sometimes I go crazy for fun - or do something a little different....example: just went to a vintage baseball game the other day, so I edited to make the photos look a little older. It doesn't matter if you just post what you shot with no editing either. All up to you!! It's your project!
4. If I do run into more than one photo that I want to post on the same day, I will post a second one to the alternate album or on days that I missed uploading a photo.
Basically, I just enjoy it. To put too many rules to it makes it less fun---and I enjoy the friendships I've made on here just as much as the photo taking. I know for fact I can never take one photo a day, because it's just not that easy for me. So I do what I can when I can. I hope you enjoy it!! This is my second year, and still going!!!!!
I've really enjoyed reading all of your replies and I hope others will take part in this thread, as well. A lot of you mentioned posting a photo taken on the day that it's posted. I also post only photos from the same day (sometimes I have to post them a day late, but the date that they're posted is the date that they were taken). I, too, work full time, but I make a point of taking a picture of something every day and if I know I'm going to be out of the house for the whole day, I take my camera with me. Some pictures, like the one below, I take while sitting at my desk and those are usually the only pictures I get on those days. I know myself and I know that if I don't stay disciplined in this regard, I will end up skipping a lot of days and I won't finish my project.
2. I post the shot I like best, not always taken on the day, usually close to it. Often take myself out on a solitary photoshoot and gather a few pix. I take photos of allsorts.
3. Editing, if at all, is usually confined to crop, occasional sharpen or adjust exposure, very rarely I clone and heal. Shoot in jpg which I find fine for purpose and I dislike over-processing.
4. I have 5 albums, but usually post just 2 shots per day, occasionally 3 - I'd like to post only one but find myself pretty much incapable of doing that!
Thanks for starting the thread, Hamora, and making us think! Like you I find that my favourites amongst my own shots are mostly not the favs of my friends on 365.