Post Project 365 - day 1

Calvin:  “You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood."

Hobbes: "What mood is that?"

Calvin:    "Last-minute panic.”

I came across that quote today whilst surfing some photography sites - pretty much captures the feeling some days while doing a Project 365.

Life felt a bit different today - no glances out the window when I woke up wondering what might become my photographic 'subject' for today (although the thought did cross my mind as I glanced out the window).

I jotted down a few recollections on my experience doing a Project 365. I imagine there are countless similar posts out there already, and I looked at a few before I started, but, as with many things in life you have to participate to really experience it. I'll add more in future posts as I recall them (I have a good memory, but it's short).

 

1. ABC - Always Bring Camera - a cardinal rule that will avoid regrets, trust me

2. Carpe Diem, or act when the opportunity is there - it likely won't come back

3. develop new eyes for seeing the world; stop just looking at it

4. get to know your camera - get out of Automatic

5. experiment - with light, angles, camera settings, subjects, day, night, weather, etc

6. take 20,000 (at least) photos this year - that's less than 55 per day

7. shoot every day, post every day if possible

8. keep notes of potential opportunities - don't rely on mental notes like I tried

9. learn some rules of composition and try to apply them

10. visit other photographers' and photography sites and learn as much as you can

11. don't get so engrossed with capturing the moment that you forget to enjoy it

12. oh, if applicable, get your 'significant other' onside, preferably before you start

There were days when I had enough different photos to fill a month and other days when I relied on panic (see quote). I stuck to posting photos I'd shot on that day only (with a couple of unavoidable exceptions) - which meant I revisited places to shoot subjects I had captured previously but had not posted.

Sorry for the long(er than usual) post, but I did get some shots yesterday while out for our last walk of the year. These were found hidden in a little area amongst the cedar trees well back of our house.

(18-55mm  f8.0  2 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

(10-22mm  f5.6  1 sec  ISO200)

Note: I set the white balance to 'tungsten' to get the blue effect for better contrast for the next shot.

(18-55mm  f8.0  2 sec  ISO200)