With one more photo to post tomorrow, and having decided what I want to do, today is a day of reflection. I would never have guessed how much I would learn this year, or how fortunate I would be in your responses to my photos. This collage includes my TT photos, many of which were among my favorites, more as background to how it feels to be so close to the finish and so excited about what I've learned. I can't believe my last day (of Year 1 - I do plan to keep going) is really only a few hours away!
No need to read as this commentary is as much for me as anyone and it is VERY long!
January 1, 2013:
• Camera used mostly on auto or aperture
• Photography was for documentation, even when I thought I was doing more than that
• Photos were taken mostly in .jpg
• Occasional edits in Aperture but usually SOOC, even when disappointed - wouldn't have known what to do to fix the photos, much less consciously edit/process
• Attention only to focal object, rarely considered background or distracting elements
• Took photos of ‘special’ things rather than look for what is special in everyday surroundings
• Occasional photography unless on vacation or on Beaver Island
• Felt silly carrying my camera if no one else would have one with them (like at the symphony or other cultural event)
• Had never heard of a ‘meet up’
As a result of Project 365,
• I’ve learned new vocabulary: ETSOOI, EOTB, ND filter, TT, PP, Aperture/ISO/Shutter Speed ‘golden triangle’, WWYD, DoF, POV, Symmetry, Balance, Negative space, Macro Monday, “sweet 16 [f-stop, with 100 ss and 100 ISO], GRT (gloriously rusty Tuesday), BWW (b&w Wed), selfie as in ‘dreaded selfie,’ ONS, favorite fav of someone else, CSC, crop sensor versus full frame, walkabout lens, prime lens, and on and on, and more about my camera than I had ever hoped to know!
• I’ve learned the wonders of a social network and the friends I’ve developed and would miss if I stopped – friends from around the world who I may never get to meet in person
• I’ve shared the joy of photo walks with 365 friends from the Chicago area, Italy, New York, and Wisconsin and hope to meet more over time.
• I’ve learned the reinforcement that comes from a friend saying “good capture,” “well spotted,” the special ‘fav’, or asking a question about what I did, or sharing an idea
• I’ve learned the importance to doing something photographic every day, even if I don’t feel like it, but know it’s okay to cut myself slack if the photo thing is to tweak an existing photo, take something with my iPhone, as well as take hundreds on a dedicated photo walk
• I’ve learned that there is beauty in the every day, satisfaction from creating an image from everyday items (a drop of water, a petal on a flower, weird patterns from shadows, bokeh on rainy streets at night) as well as from more spectacular sights (Niagra Falls, Grand Canyon from a plane).
• It feels normal that upon waking up, before doing anything else, I check my iPad for 365 comments, messages, and responses; look at my home feed and read new discussion threads – even if it means setting an alarm to get up earlier on work days
• I’ve had to create a 365 diet that involves setting a timer so that I don’t get so lost in playing on the site that I don’t get work done at work and at home; and I’ve learned that I break the diet often even when I fully intend to hold myself accountable to it.
• I’ve had photographs that were part of art shows on Beaver Island and that hang in one of the art galleries and people have actually bought some of my photographs! I've been the official photographer for the Beaver Island Garden Tour
• I look forward to themes and challenges instead of believing they are scary things to do or that I should 'wait til I'm ready.'
• I don’t miss watching TV and using the time instead for photography, but I do miss reading and need to bring that back into my life more regularly.
• I know the thrill of having a photo in the Top Twenty (sort of like fireworks going off in my head) and seeing photos on Trending and Popular Page (like mini-fireworks). I know it isn’t supposed to matter, but it does feel good to have others like what I’ve done!
• Most important, I have a very supportive partner in Jim who spots photo ops for me, drives me places, and is incredibly patient even when I’ve just shown him the 20th photo and asked, ‘what about this one?’ and I know he’d like to say “leave me alone” but instead he’ll say, “that’s a good one too.” And I’ve learned to tell when enough is enough and I’ve pushed my luck almost too far!
My goals for 2014:
• eliminate my addiction to Project 365, but maintain my connection - stay in touch with existing 365 friends and followers, support new 365ers
• make a bucket list for 2014 and commit to working through the items instead of leaving it to chance (or Get Pushed)
• support themes and challenges and be a good responder to new 365ers so they feel welcome and become involved
• don’t worry about taking daily photo but try to post daily in main album (allow myself a weekly photo walk and work with those photos for the week, perhaps – learn from what other Year 2 folks are doing)
• Read more about photography
Speaking for myself personally, I thank you for your constant encouragement, your thorough comments, your technical explanations and insights concerning your shots (and also funny self criticism, very remarkable indeed!).
You have grown so much during the year and have become such an accomplished photographer. I'm very glad for you. And I conseder myself lucky to have been able to meet you in person and share a lovely and interesting photo walk in you beautiful city. Hope you come to Italy one day and we'll be able to do one here.
Happy to hear you're staying on, you are such an asset for 365! We can't lose you!
Have a fantastic and sparkling New Year! And, as we say here among photographers,
"buona luce" (Have a good LIGHT)!
Your photos are great - I look forward to seeing more!
Happy New Year.
( Most of the fields are empty now or just starting the grow of winter wheat)
"Most important, I have a very supportive partner in Jim who spots photo ops for me, drives me places, and is incredibly patient even when I’ve just shown him the 20th photo......."