All the very best wishes for your 2015 and beyond. In the words of the old song "So long, it's been good to know you ...." Love this exit shot too. Thought 499 was very special.
Your done? As in leaving for good? Damn. I mean, on one side, I'm happy for you. An amazing accomplishment. On the other, it just plain sucks. You're an incredible person. Love your shots, stories and perspective on the world. I know I'm a shit follower, down right horrible in fact, but you always have and always will be an inspiration. Whenever I get a chance to look across the river, towards that great skyline, I'll think....there roams the female Hemingway. :)
Kick ass. Good luck in whatever comes your way. Eat, drink and be merry T.
@losthorizon thanks, Beau! That's an awesome comment :)
Yep...I'm done here but I still post to Flickr regularly. A couple of reasons why I started the project here were because of a good friend and my sister...both of whom no longer post. But even withiut them, I have carried on because of the people. Now? As much as I do love the community here the annoying and negative things to me are harder to overlook for me these days. Ugh. I have missed the camaraderie and interaction but to get it, you have to tolerate all the bullshit and mediocrity that goes on here. Anyway...that's my rant. Lol.
I'll still be lurking around and commenting. Am still a big big fan of your work!!
Good luck to you, Beau. And best wishes to you and your family.
So glorious! Miss 365 yet? I can't give it up completely or much yet. I see what you said above. How is Flickr? Can't bring myself to do something else.
@amandal I miss some things about 365 but I still check it regularly. I was on Flickr way before I started here so I prefer it. But the community isn't as tight-knit...and there are both positives and negatives about that. Anyway it was nice to hear from you, Amanda! Seems like you're doing well :)
@adambralston hmm I think The negative things about here is the whole "scratch my back I'll scratch yours" and that popularity isn't based on talent all the time.
As for "fauxtography"? I picked it because, to be quite honest... When I started posting here in 2013, I intended to dump pics that weren't all that great and I didn't really see this place where the talent would blow me away. I thought fauxtography was fitting. Plus I take mediocre pics too. LOLOL maybe my answer is bitchy.
@fauxtography365 Oh yeah. I thought that might be it. We'd discussed that before. The idea that you have to comment to get comments, and that TT and PP are kind of more popularity versus talent. I've found several users on 365 that are hidden in the shadows and never get much attention for their work. Some of that is because it is unique and fascinating, but maybe not exactly what everyone is looking for this week (Puppies, kittens, rainbows, crystal ball reflections (no idea why this is popular), wire burning sparks (whatever that is)), the populist stuff.
What I think is weird about 365 is it is what I would think is a very large community but feels very small. I wonder just how many ARE here. I still trend ever so often. But, I've been here long enough, and post infrequently, so that those I started with have finished the project and are on to other things, and those that are still around think I have left.
@adambralston it definitely feels small... Or smaller than Flickr maybe. I actually like those crystal ball shots lol. But there are a lot of other shots that I used to see on PP and my reaction would be, "are you kidding me?" I don't even look there anymore. I remember when I started I didn't even know about TT until about four or five months into it. It still doesn't intrigue me. That isn't to say there aren't extremely talented artists here, because there are.
It's just not a consistent place for improvement or critique. More just like a big circle jerk sometimes. What blows my mind is that some people truly expect to get critique here. This isn't the site for that. I mean if I wanted to become a professional, I would seek an actual mentor who does it professionally. Just like if I wanted to improve my career skills or any skills for that matter...I sure as shit would NOT rely solely on the Internet for feedback and improvement. That's like goin g to web MD to diagnose yourself I lire of going to a doctor.
Aaaaand that's the end of my rant. :P. Hope you're well, Adam!
@fauxtography365 Well, ok. I can totally see that. I think what people do is come here hoping for encouragement. I think that it skews towards retirees, first time camera users (using settings), and those that think they have a good eye, but just want somebody else to say it instead of friends and family that lie.
For me, I was that last part. I like my photos, and always have. And typically, don't really like most other people's photos. Until now. I found some great talent here (yourself included) and it inspires me. And, some people liked my photos too, and that was fun. About 6 months in I started to feel it was a little bit insincere. By a year, I realized almost all of it is.
I have one follower that comments on every photo for every person they follow. The same statement.
NOW, there was a move to tie people up with mentors for awhile. Not sure if you saw that in the discussions or not? Seemed like a good idea.
Anyway, I went through my friends list here a few days ago. I looked at the last 10-15 photos of each person. If I wasn't inspired by at least half of them, I dropped them. Feel kind of bad about that, but in the end, that's why I am here. I want to be inspired. And I think looking at endlessly bad photos is bad for your skills as a photographer. Garbage in, garbage out.
AND then there is this ... I am just a dude with a crappy camera, and a modicum of talent with some motivation. Maybe my photos are ok, maybe there are getting better (I think they are), and I know I have learned a lot in the past year. I just want in the end to have some photos I am proud of, and a document of my life that reflects emotion, narrative, and focus.
@adambralston I couldn't agree with you more, actually. And I enjoy discussions like this so thank you, Adam. You raised some other good points. I think I'm much like you too - I'm just a person with a basic camera, some talent or at least an eye for things, and I'm motivated to take shots. One thing I've found this place to be is good for motivation and inspiration.
And for whatever it's worth and I'm not scratching your back here - I think your photos are really good. Was actually looking through your Flickr stream again recently and you have some great shots.
I have (or maybe had lol) a follower who is being nice when he comments on my photos but I noticed that the majority of the time, the comments are because he's reciprocating from a comment I've left on one of his photos. And thats not what I'm looking for. I don't comment with the intent of getting a return comment. And actually would prefer it NOT to go down like that. It got to the point that when I see a nice pic of this person's project I didn't even want to comment just to avoid getting an obligatory comment back. It has been kinda nice not posting new pics now because I can do so without "fear" of getting an obligatory comment back on any one of my mediocre shots.
Although I did have the urge to post something here today. Haha maybe I will.
@fauxtography365 I think it is always best to get what you want out of this project and not have the project consume you. I've gotten to that point recently (why I am slowly creeping up to 365 days, but should have already passed that number).
You told me once that you don't comment on photos. And so, whenever I do see a comment on my photo from you I know that it's genuine. That's a nice feeling. I'm the same. A photo has to move me. Even if I like it. There are some instant FAVs! And after pruning down my friends list, I definitely feel that more often. Sometimes, I FAV if it's a shot or concept I want to try later. If I comment, it's typically because I absolutely feel compelled to write something because it is so good. OR, I write a comment because I feel it COULD be good, but lacks some of the "basic" photographic skills (level horizon, color correction, DOF problems, color issues, cut off heads) but with those corrected would be a GREAT photo. And then, sometimes I comment because I just hate something and it doesn't work for me at all. People don't like those comments, but screw em. You put up your art for the world to see, it's going to move people. That's the whole point. I'm not a jerk about it, but I am going to be honest. That's where you run into problems with this crowd.
For me, I don't mind if my photos are torn apart. Only way to learn. I might not have seen that error or I would have already corrected it, for example you know?
The scratch my back, I'll do the other thing for you... yeah, that get's so freaking old.
But, sort of getting back to my original idea of cutting down my friends list, I'm trying to find that smaller group of people that could inspire me, help shape my "style" which I am still trying to find, and in the end just have fun doing it.
Thanks for your comments on my flickr feed. To be honest, I've gotten VERY selective on what I post. In truth, might not be a real representation of my over all skill. But, I want it to look "pretty". I want it to be a page I am proud of actually. More like a hall of fame than of shame. I think I am going to start posting up very old photos too from trips I have taken in the past. Things I liked because of early experiments in technique and composition, but that I didn't post because they were with my even older shittier camera.
Anyway, I like your photos too as I've said before, and I mean that. I like how you see the city. Anyone can take a snapshot, and they mostly are very bad. Your shots have a clear descriptive intent. It's how you saw it. That honesty is refreshing. And although your "other" photos are also intriguing and very nice to look at, it's not really why I follow you. It's the overall vision, not always the subject matter. You make drinks in bars look like how advertisements should look for example. And your food photos also show a lot of detail and look tasty, but not like "food porn" which you sometimes see in photographic circles. Anyway,, you're not dropping off my list anytime soon.
By the way, this photo here I really love because of your balance of just almost overexposed sun, with just almost underexposed left bottom corner. And in between, that beautiful sky and color. I think some get caught up in the whole loss of foreground into shadows. It doesn't matter here, the shot is about the feeling, and it's about sky. It's golden, and blue, and purple. And, any edits you may have made are subtle. You haven't doctored the shit out of it until it doesn't even look like Earth. I like it.
@adambralston thanks, Adam. I'd been digesting your comments a bit more. I like your approach to this...basically it seems like you're saying "don't let this project consume you" and get whatever you can out of this project - it's different for everyone.
Thanks for the comment on this pic! I wanted to put the emphasis on the sun but include some of the foreground to give the viewer context of where I was standing.
Anyway, I post/have posted a lot of pics here that aren't great. I try to be more selective of what I post on Flickr but I realized (for me) if I get too selective or afraid to post the shitty shots, then I can't see my own growth. Also it's a good way to see what people respond to in a photo, regardless of quality -- good and bad.
@fauxtography365 Yes, I agree. I'm often surprised at which photos of mine get the attention and which ones don't. There are some I absolutely love that didn't get a second look. It doesn't bother me. They are like my kids (if I had any), I love them because they are, everybody else doesn't have to love them as well.
And, I often miss stuff that others will see. Have you ever seen the flickr group called the icebox? https://www.flickr.com/groups/theicebox/ They are freaking mean! But, VERY critical, and often times they are right. Nobody will tear your photo apart better than them. Lots of small details I never noticed were annoying to people were pointed out to me there. I eventually stopped posting. It was like setting myself up on a date with the school bully gang. But, take a look at them...
Anyway, foreground pillars are awesome here, it does bring me into the shot. I think I have seen this or similar location in your shots before, you run here right?
Just stumbled into your 500th pic today. And really enjoyed reading the comments. My two cents: I started on flickr before I joined 365. And I am still on both sites. I joined 365 three years ago to force me to pick up my camera daily, and that lasted about two months as work got in the way. However, something else happened which was much better - I started following some very talented artists here, and my work started noticeably improving. Like osmosis - and here I am, close to finishing year 3. And still enjoying it. yes, there is a lot of popularity bs going on here and it did bother me for a while, but I got over it. And I am still having fun here and I'll stay as long as the fun lasts. See you on flickr! And btw, FAV.
we bit of naughty, fun, and creativity. Lovely layered photo with depth.
Kick ass. Good luck in whatever comes your way. Eat, drink and be merry T.
Yep...I'm done here but I still post to Flickr regularly. A couple of reasons why I started the project here were because of a good friend and my sister...both of whom no longer post. But even withiut them, I have carried on because of the people. Now? As much as I do love the community here the annoying and negative things to me are harder to overlook for me these days. Ugh. I have missed the camaraderie and interaction but to get it, you have to tolerate all the bullshit and mediocrity that goes on here. Anyway...that's my rant. Lol.
I'll still be lurking around and commenting. Am still a big big fan of your work!!
Good luck to you, Beau. And best wishes to you and your family.
As for "fauxtography"? I picked it because, to be quite honest... When I started posting here in 2013, I intended to dump pics that weren't all that great and I didn't really see this place where the talent would blow me away. I thought fauxtography was fitting. Plus I take mediocre pics too. LOLOL maybe my answer is bitchy.
What I think is weird about 365 is it is what I would think is a very large community but feels very small. I wonder just how many ARE here. I still trend ever so often. But, I've been here long enough, and post infrequently, so that those I started with have finished the project and are on to other things, and those that are still around think I have left.
It's just not a consistent place for improvement or critique. More just like a big circle jerk sometimes. What blows my mind is that some people truly expect to get critique here. This isn't the site for that. I mean if I wanted to become a professional, I would seek an actual mentor who does it professionally. Just like if I wanted to improve my career skills or any skills for that matter...I sure as shit would NOT rely solely on the Internet for feedback and improvement. That's like goin g to web MD to diagnose yourself I lire of going to a doctor.
Aaaaand that's the end of my rant. :P. Hope you're well, Adam!
For me, I was that last part. I like my photos, and always have. And typically, don't really like most other people's photos. Until now. I found some great talent here (yourself included) and it inspires me. And, some people liked my photos too, and that was fun. About 6 months in I started to feel it was a little bit insincere. By a year, I realized almost all of it is.
I have one follower that comments on every photo for every person they follow. The same statement.
NOW, there was a move to tie people up with mentors for awhile. Not sure if you saw that in the discussions or not? Seemed like a good idea.
Anyway, I went through my friends list here a few days ago. I looked at the last 10-15 photos of each person. If I wasn't inspired by at least half of them, I dropped them. Feel kind of bad about that, but in the end, that's why I am here. I want to be inspired. And I think looking at endlessly bad photos is bad for your skills as a photographer. Garbage in, garbage out.
AND then there is this ... I am just a dude with a crappy camera, and a modicum of talent with some motivation. Maybe my photos are ok, maybe there are getting better (I think they are), and I know I have learned a lot in the past year. I just want in the end to have some photos I am proud of, and a document of my life that reflects emotion, narrative, and focus.
And for whatever it's worth and I'm not scratching your back here - I think your photos are really good. Was actually looking through your Flickr stream again recently and you have some great shots.
I have (or maybe had lol) a follower who is being nice when he comments on my photos but I noticed that the majority of the time, the comments are because he's reciprocating from a comment I've left on one of his photos. And thats not what I'm looking for. I don't comment with the intent of getting a return comment. And actually would prefer it NOT to go down like that. It got to the point that when I see a nice pic of this person's project I didn't even want to comment just to avoid getting an obligatory comment back. It has been kinda nice not posting new pics now because I can do so without "fear" of getting an obligatory comment back on any one of my mediocre shots.
Although I did have the urge to post something here today. Haha maybe I will.
You told me once that you don't comment on photos. And so, whenever I do see a comment on my photo from you I know that it's genuine. That's a nice feeling. I'm the same. A photo has to move me. Even if I like it. There are some instant FAVs! And after pruning down my friends list, I definitely feel that more often. Sometimes, I FAV if it's a shot or concept I want to try later. If I comment, it's typically because I absolutely feel compelled to write something because it is so good. OR, I write a comment because I feel it COULD be good, but lacks some of the "basic" photographic skills (level horizon, color correction, DOF problems, color issues, cut off heads) but with those corrected would be a GREAT photo. And then, sometimes I comment because I just hate something and it doesn't work for me at all. People don't like those comments, but screw em. You put up your art for the world to see, it's going to move people. That's the whole point. I'm not a jerk about it, but I am going to be honest. That's where you run into problems with this crowd.
For me, I don't mind if my photos are torn apart. Only way to learn. I might not have seen that error or I would have already corrected it, for example you know?
The scratch my back, I'll do the other thing for you... yeah, that get's so freaking old.
But, sort of getting back to my original idea of cutting down my friends list, I'm trying to find that smaller group of people that could inspire me, help shape my "style" which I am still trying to find, and in the end just have fun doing it.
Thanks for your comments on my flickr feed. To be honest, I've gotten VERY selective on what I post. In truth, might not be a real representation of my over all skill. But, I want it to look "pretty". I want it to be a page I am proud of actually. More like a hall of fame than of shame. I think I am going to start posting up very old photos too from trips I have taken in the past. Things I liked because of early experiments in technique and composition, but that I didn't post because they were with my even older shittier camera.
Anyway, I like your photos too as I've said before, and I mean that. I like how you see the city. Anyone can take a snapshot, and they mostly are very bad. Your shots have a clear descriptive intent. It's how you saw it. That honesty is refreshing. And although your "other" photos are also intriguing and very nice to look at, it's not really why I follow you. It's the overall vision, not always the subject matter. You make drinks in bars look like how advertisements should look for example. And your food photos also show a lot of detail and look tasty, but not like "food porn" which you sometimes see in photographic circles. Anyway,, you're not dropping off my list anytime soon.
Thanks for the comment on this pic! I wanted to put the emphasis on the sun but include some of the foreground to give the viewer context of where I was standing.
Anyway, I post/have posted a lot of pics here that aren't great. I try to be more selective of what I post on Flickr but I realized (for me) if I get too selective or afraid to post the shitty shots, then I can't see my own growth. Also it's a good way to see what people respond to in a photo, regardless of quality -- good and bad.
And, I often miss stuff that others will see. Have you ever seen the flickr group called the icebox? https://www.flickr.com/groups/theicebox/ They are freaking mean! But, VERY critical, and often times they are right. Nobody will tear your photo apart better than them. Lots of small details I never noticed were annoying to people were pointed out to me there. I eventually stopped posting. It was like setting myself up on a date with the school bully gang. But, take a look at them...
Anyway, foreground pillars are awesome here, it does bring me into the shot. I think I have seen this or similar location in your shots before, you run here right?