I started 365 expecting to add it to my long list of failures, but six months in I am still here, and more committed than I was when I started the project. Why did I start? I am still not sure, but what I do know is that it has become a passion, something I care about and enjoy.
When I started I snapped a picture of anything and everything (to some extent I still do). I did not really put much thought into the pictures I shot. Around three months in I felt that crushing feeling of inadequacy. I went the other direction and over thought things (I still do, but try not to dwell) and I compared myself to the amazing talent that is showcased throughout the site on a daily basis and became a little disillusioned with myself and what I could achieve. But, what I learned is that 365 does not allow you to wallow in self-pity!
So to summarize what 365 means to me, it is to say that this is my project (thank you @daneau for always reminding me of that). Whilst sunlight lighting fall leaves is a very common thing at this time of the year (for those of us in this part of the hemisphere), for me this shot means so much more. We have had a week of dull wet and chilly weather with flat grey skies in Chicagoland, and as I took this shot I was barefoot and could feel the sun warming my toes, the feeling made me happy and it made me smile and I wanted to share it.
Thank you everyone who I follow, who follows me, or has left me a comment or a fav.
This photo and the sentiment are both beautiful. I am glad you are enjoying the project and I really like your urban style. I am glad to get to know Chicago through your lens!!
I'm so glad that you didn't give up on 365. Amazing, when I look at your shots, that you could feel inadequate. I guess we are our own hardest critics. I love your shots.
Yes, this is your project! Did I mention it already?
Without telling you what to do (ha ha) keep your passion alive, shot what you want and be who you are! I love you this way :)
It's been a pleasure to follow you Andie. We all have periods of self doubt, when it seems easier to give up! It's a good character building and skill building exercise!!
I love your photography! It makes me smile and you see things differently than others and you think outside the box, it shows in your photos. Keep up the good photograsping!
Each of us has probably felt those same things about our project, the commonality is that it challenges us daily to see through the lens. Your photographs are beautiful and this is no exception.
Think we can all share your sentiments on this, and I look forward to seeing your photos everyday. you've also come such a long way too. Here's to the next 6 months
Fantastic and true thought Andrea. This project means different things to all of us and making it our own and making it work for us (not the other way around) really makes it much more enjoyable. Beautiful, inspiring image for the day too! :)
I know the feeling Andie. Like you i doubt myself at times. I get so much pleasure from 365 but I feel that my photography is improving, just a little, and that's good. In an odd kind of way it's not the photos, but the people that keep me going!
I know I have felt they way you describe many times but I am still here and have almost finished a year (71 days to go). I know that I look forward to seeing everyones posts every day and most days, I feel happier having looked at the site. It surely is a journey of ups and downs!
Lovely shot btw!
Andie, I'm 9 months into this. A year ago, I wouldn't/couldn't have started this project for so very many reasons. Yet, when I look back at 2013, I had already started a journey that makes this project, in 2014, seem precisely what I am supposed to be doing at precisely this time.
Like @dibzgreasley, I'm on the down-hill side. I've 91 to her 71 to go. Like @kwind I'm guessing I'll be one of those ppl who will be hooked and continue. If I do continue, it will be bc of ppl like @ceilidh, and many others, like you, who comment on my photos and bring validation and affirmation to my efforts to become a better photographer.
I've learned my aim is not to "win" a contest but rather to learn how to take a better photo. The fact that I've learned an incredible amount - not only about photography but the world and all it's parts via the projects of ppl I follow - is an amazing bonus I couldn't have imagined when I started.
I'm glad you were barefoot and enjoying today's sunshine here in Chicagoland! Seems we'd better do that while we can! There's no telling what the next few months are going to bring beyond more photos of whatever we can grab on any given day! :)
Thank you for sharing and putting into words what a lot of us I am sure on 365 feel from time to time. I'm so grateful that a wise 365er too it is my project to create what I want. I still feel I have to add words to my photos to justify or explain what i see, yet others can just say it all in a photo. I love your project too and enjoy following😊😊
Love your story, Ukandie, and it is a repeat of what I feel. The difference is that I am in my fourth year and still going strong. I learnt many, many things from my friends here and have learnt to experiment. I can't rid myself of the habit of shooting everything I see. Beautiful capture with lots of light and shade areas.
Your story is I'm sure typical of so many of us on here. I hadn't really taken any photographs before I started 365. I was looking for a new interest that fitted in with changes in lifestyle so new camera and 365 seemed like the answer. Four months later and I'm hooked! I love this image the way you have captures the light is magical. Fav
Thanks for sharing your story! Sunshine makes me happy, too! Love the blue sky and lighting through the leaves. I agree with Jo. I like how you think outside the box. Congratulations in being more than halfway done!
Nice commentary here. Honestly, 365 came when I needed something extra in my life, and always wanted to delve into photography a little more. Well, this has become a lot more, but I have enjoyed the ride. Nice shot. And I love the red tones to the newly shooted limbs.
I love your photography! Love you words. You speak for many here, I am sure. I took a year off from the project, and most days thought about how much I missed it. I loved learning and growing here with others that have the same passion as I do. The crisscross stems holding the leaves is quite amazing. Awesome shot. I hope you are sending that sun my way:)
Love this show and your commentary for every reason possible. And thank you too for reminding me to not take it so seriously either. It's amazing as humans how easy it is to wrapped up in comparisons and everything as if life is a big competition. But it's so much more enjoyable to sit back and enjoy the things that matter at the time....like the feeling of sun after days of rain. Thanks Andie.
I really love following you frankly. You are so positive and encouraging, your personality really shines through and your pictures improve every day! You are on such a role. I had the hardest week and nearly gave up on 365. My shots were quick uninspired shots, and I just didn't have time to post this last week. I have the hardest time following through on things, and that is so much of what this project is about for me. I relate to your words so much, and it encourages me to keep posting! :)
@jess1204 Thanks so much Jessica. I am glad you are keeping going with your project, I really enjoy what you post even the shots you see as uninspired, I don't see them that way. It seems as though you have a lot going on at the moment so it cannot be easy fitting 365 in as well. My kids are 17 and 18 and both away at school, I cannot imagine how I would have done this when they were younger so don't be too hard on yourself.
Absolutely Andie, a photo is a really personal thing, something that looks like 'just a tree' to one person has a real meaning for the person who took it. That is what I love about this project, finding out the stories behind the photographs.
October 26th, 2014
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@kt8ird Thanks Kate :))
@888rachel Thank you so much Rachel. I think you are correct we are probably too hard on ourselves at times :)
Without telling you what to do (ha ha) keep your passion alive, shot what you want and be who you are! I love you this way :)
Lovely shot btw!
Like @dibzgreasley, I'm on the down-hill side. I've 91 to her 71 to go. Like @kwind I'm guessing I'll be one of those ppl who will be hooked and continue. If I do continue, it will be bc of ppl like @ceilidh, and many others, like you, who comment on my photos and bring validation and affirmation to my efforts to become a better photographer.
I've learned my aim is not to "win" a contest but rather to learn how to take a better photo. The fact that I've learned an incredible amount - not only about photography but the world and all it's parts via the projects of ppl I follow - is an amazing bonus I couldn't have imagined when I started.
I'm glad you were barefoot and enjoying today's sunshine here in Chicagoland! Seems we'd better do that while we can! There's no telling what the next few months are going to bring beyond more photos of whatever we can grab on any given day! :)