In our last post I covered just What is a 365 Project? In this post I'd like to cover how to get started and how to keep it up!

1) Pick a Subject... or Don't
Most 365 Projects have some kind of theme running through them, personally my theme is just my life, I use my 365 Project as more of a diary than an art project. You'll need to decide what your project is going to be about. The best subjects are something simple, something you can fit into your daily routine. Whether it's Food, Clothes or your cat, you need to be able to do it all year!

2) Learn To Use Your Camera
Your camera will be your companion for the next year or more, make sure you know what all the little buttons do and how to turn the flash or and off, over the forthcoming year you'll become an expert and everyone will flock to you to take their pictures. There are some great resources around the web for learners, is a fantastic resource for photographers looking to improve.Digital Photography School

3) Organise Your Photos
Now I'm not one of these people who categorises and sub-categorises all their photos and spends hours in the process, I simply keep photos organised by the date they were taken, simples. There are loads of Photo organising apps out there in the wild, most are free. Google's Picasa is a great place to start, if you're lucky enough to own a Mac, iPhoto is great too!

4) Update Regularly
One of the biggest headaches you can encounter is having not updated for a week or so you're left with this big pile of images you have to upload and organise. It's much easier to upload your photos regularly, it helps you keep track of dates and what you were actually doing in that photo.

5) Find Inspiration
In the early days I was often quite stuck for ideas, it does get easier! Find something that works for you, there's the Browse section on 365 Project or Flickr Explore is a great resource for ideas. Find a photo you like and try to replicate it, you should of course try and put your own artistic influence into it, it's a great way of getting a good photo and improving your skills at the same time!

6) Keep Your Eye On The Prize
You will get disheartened, no doubt about it, it could come within the first week or after 4 months, but at some point you'll be saying, why bother? I know I did. Don't forget why you started the project, was it to improve your skills? document your life? just think... after 12 months you will have such a huge sense of achievement, I've been doing my project for nearly 3 years now, it's a part of my life and I love it. I'm sure you'll love yours too.



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Comments
January 3rd, 2011
Great article!
February 2nd, 2011
Very good intro.
February 15th, 2011
Very helpful : ) I don't choose my subject, because I want to try variety and a camera will capture everything that will be going on in my life so I will try to take good photos of all kinds of things.
July 7th, 2011
thanks - I've been stuck and discouraged for a week now - and I'm only 23 days in!! I originally was going to just photograph my life - then I got sucked into the Weekly Theme and most of those people are really good or have Photoshop and I realized I could not compete .... I'm going back to my original plan - thanks for the encouragement!!
July 28th, 2011
Thanks - i have a hundred plus and still find lots to explore for my subject matter; i have been reading and re-reading the manual to figure out the 'buttons' on the camera, i have enjoyed looking, admiring et el.. This is great for me!
August 6th, 2011
Thanks for the great tips
September 4th, 2011
Well done!
January 1st, 2012
Thank you for writing this article it's great for a newbie like me :)
January 26th, 2012
Thank you!
August 17th, 2012
Ross, this is a great intro write-up on the project for all the beginners! So glad you wrote this, it's all true!

I've been inspired, had to learn all those buttons on my camera, even been discouraged on occasion (but quickly overcame it!), learned more than I ever thought possible, and most importantly, have grown so incredibly much in my photography, since starting this project.

My camera has become an extension of my body and I don't go anywhere without it now.

To those new photogs joining us, welcome, learn, ask questions, participate in themes & challenges, don't give up, and enjoy the next year, it will inspire you in ways you didn't anticipate! :-)
September 8th, 2012
thanks alot. I need to start taking more pictures, learn how to use my camera, and even then, get them printed. I like the idea of being able to save them on my computer, but there is something about a photo in hand, one that you can frame and hang on a wall that means so much to me :)
September 8th, 2012
motivated!
October 29th, 2012
I've just completed my first year and I'm totally obsessed with taking pics now. It really is part of everyday life and I look at the world completely differently and I'm always looking for my next shot. Good article that you've posted
January 2nd, 2013
Love it! :
January 3rd, 2013
Mucha gracias por los consejos! Estoy tan entusiasmada!
January 7th, 2013
good article. I just got started and so far am rather intimidated by some of the pictures I've seen browsing around. YIKES
February 16th, 2013

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March 29th, 2013
@bellar123 Think your on the wrong site Bellar.
October 2nd, 2013
Hi there I've been taking photos on my iphone in the app project 365 and thought this site is where to find them after uploading doh silly me. But due to my mistake I have come across this amazing site the photos are out of this world and I now am thinking I would love to have a go on here but my photography skills are point and click so maybe I need to read a little more before uploading my photos so far. Great site though I will definitely be browsing thanks x
October 31st, 2013
Great article, gives a spark of inspiration...
December 6th, 2013
@aliemily , Let me encourage you to point and click away, and post! I had a DSLR for 4 years or so and never took it off auto. This summer I made myself a promise to shoot every day, or at least several times a week, and now I'm finally learning how to use it! My personal experience has always been that just reading only leads to more reading, but shooting leads to missed shots and that leads to motivated research and more shooting!
March 22nd, 2014
Great article, after 3 months I started feeling discouraged, but once I get on the site and start looking at what others are doing it inspires me to keep going. I have to remember to let go of approval of others and remind myself that I'm doing this to document my life, to improve my skills and to have fun!
June 9th, 2014
Thanks for this helpful article it gives me the confidence to get started. I need to improve my skills and find my way round my first DSLR both huge challenges when I have reached the age where I don't acquire new very quickly! However i hope using my camera every day will make a difference at the moment all those knobs and dials remind me of the flight deck of an aircraft!
July 1st, 2014
thanks..love the article..a great inspiration..considering the fact that i have had photographer's block...thanks..
July 2nd, 2014
Good read
December 27th, 2014
Thanks, a great intro to get me started!
January 2nd, 2015
Cat
Thanks, I've just uploaded my first image and this article has really inspired me have a go at this.
March 16th, 2015
Thanks - have uploaded first photo. Great article!
April 17th, 2015
Thanks! Very inspiring welcome article! :) I just joined and uploaded my first! I know I am going to enjoy it!
January 2nd, 2016
Just started my project today, hoping I commit to this as it sounds a lot of fun, thanks for the advice....watch this space!
January 9th, 2016
Thanks for the tips, we needed it :-) started my project today. Sounds fun, lets see how it goes!
January 14th, 2016
TRYING !!
January 26th, 2016
Going to give this a real try! Thanks for motivation
March 4th, 2019
@annabanana47 Look at someone like BobbyD or the mundane challenge. It can give you a lot of starter ideas.
June 21st, 2019
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June 16th, 2021
I am on day 4 and looking forward to looking back on the year to see how far I have come. I am determined to keep going and see it through.
July 14th, 2022
OK...I have to admit after browsing some of the photos on 365project, it has left me feeling a little overwhelmed by the talent out there. I had thought of joining a photographic club to learn more about my digital camera. After reading your post and the many replies, I find myself inspired to continue and just see where this journey takes me.
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