Shutter Sisters

confessions of a 365 dropout

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141/365 141 – SOOC

I hate to even have to say it outloud, or in writing, but it dawned on me the other day;

I have failed in my efforts to keep up with the 365 project.  Heavy sigh.

It’s certainly not the biggest deal in the world. I can begin again at any time and kind of pick up where I left off (I guess) but there was just something magical about starting on Jan 1 and actually thinking I would/could stick with something every single day for an entire year. I did manage to make it for something like 141 days. I think that’s fairly impressive.

Regardless of the fact that I’m officially throwing in the towel on the project this year, I learned a few things along the way that might help those of you who are still committed and diligent in your photographic efforts (I wholeheartedly applaud you btw).

Here’s my follow up to Stephanie’s original post offering her tips on sticking with it.

1. Keep a 365 idea notebook handy. Anytime you drive by something that catches your eye, jot down the location so you can’t revisit on a day when you have time to snap off a few pictures. Anytime you have a fleeting thought about something you’ve been wanting to capture in a photograph, write that down. When you’re feeling uninspired and out of ideas, use the lists in your notebook as guides.

2. Keep an eye on your battery. Make sure it’s charged (plug it in before bed) and have back-ups handy.

3. Take your camera to social functions. It’s fun to round out a collection of still-lifes with some pix of friends and family.

4. Try to shoot at least one shot each morning. I know this was on Steph’s list but for 141 days, it was my mantra.

5. Don’t wait for perfection. As Kate recently urged, ‘do not wait for perfect light’. Just shoot!

6. Plan regular photo walks or field trips for yourself. Go alone or with friends.

6. Shoot from the hip. Literally. Sometimes the less invested we are in getting the shot, the more likely we are to capture delightful surprises.

7. Pick up a few extra memory cards to carry with you so you never end up with a full card when you’re out and about.

8. Give yourself permission to shoot the same subject over and over again. If there is something your are drawn to shoot, then try capturing it differently on different days. Be inventive and the repetition of subject matter becomes interesting, not boring.

9.Get involved in shooting for regular photo features around the internet, like the One Word Project, Best Shot Monday and Love Thursday.

10. Never underestimate the power and beauty of your SOOC shots. Why spend time editing the shots that don’t need to be edited. Use the 365 project as the practice to get your shots right the first time! Less editing time means the less time the 365 project takes each day and it leaves more time to shoot.

One thing I was reminded of as I played along this year was that paying attention to the details of my daily life, camera in hand, was totally therapeutic for me. I had no agenda but to shoot and there were many times I was blissfully lost in shooting. It was amazing and enlightening.

If you started on Jan 1 this year then today is day 167 for you. Almost half way home. Surely you have some ideas for us on how you keep it up. Anything that keeps you shooting like the prolific shutter sisters that you are would be helpful. Links to your favorite captures always welcome.

Comments

  3. My advice would be just to remember that they don’t have to be award winning shots every single day, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Its about documenting your year as well as improving your photography and learning new things. I started last year and gave up, this year I have surrounded myself (online) with others who are doing the project and this has helped so much! We have all encouraged and helped each other along the way. I cannot believe we are almost half way, I didn’t think I would last a month.

  4. An excellent list of daily photo tips. I’d only add one thing – and that’s to make it a ‘practice’ instead of a ‘pursuit’. If you miss one day..there’s always another to follow. I’m in my 3rd year of doing my Daily Practice..and it has become as natural as getting up in the morning and brushing my teeth.
    Just do it!!!!
    (And Tracey – you can pick up and keep on going anytime…no need to give it up completely….:-))

  5. oh, I blew it too!!! I am just tooo busy, and, don’t tell anyone, but I don’t actually own a point and shoot (just my big mama) and so schlepping my camera bag everywhere became a challenge. So, I guess my advice is, don’t do a 365 if you don’t have a convenient camera…that old adage about the best camera being the one you have with you is SO TRUE. 🙂 I console myself with the fact that it’s not like I’m not shooting (for myself and for my clients) and I think maybe I’ll try easing in with a 52, next year. I heart you, sister!

  6. If I would have heard of the 365 project before I had my child…. No Problem.
    I will not even attempt it yet until she gets a little older!
    That would be setting myself up for failure!!

    Good Luck to all who attempt it…

  7. I don’t dare even attempt it I know it would burn me out and I’d rather stay spontaneous. I envy those that can stick with it and even those that give it a good go but I just know it’s not for me.

  8. I started this year too, and stopped. I realized that I was feeling too much pressure and with the speed of my life, it just wasn’t happening. In two weeks, I’m off work for 2 months… I think I will do a daily photo project for my summer break… When I know I’ll have a moment to shoot a photo. I kind of hit a wall because I can’t carry my camera to work with me everyday, and that would be the perfect time to take the photos for the daily project.

    Who knows, maybe I’ll be getting a new location for my job and will be able to carry it with me in the fall 🙂 Thanks for the Great tips… I’ll definitely use them if I start up again! Here’s my day 1 back in January…

    http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-1-of-365.html

  9. I started….and stopped (not going to say failed…) After the initial excitement it became to feel like a bit of a burden, and I don’t want to lose the passion and the spontaneity that I’d previously enjoyed. Ironically after a bit of a break, I have now returned to using my camera (almost) daily, but I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day. I admire hugely those of you still going strong; you’ll have a wonderful visual inventory of your year that you’ll cherish for years to come. Keep it up!

  10. i can’t help but think of Grease and ‘beauty school dropout’ 🙂 this is totally why i didn’t start a 365 project this year. i’m a hopeless quitter. i have to trick myself into commitment. so, maybe next year. but it’s good to hear that you bailed (in a way, sorry!) let’s me know i’m not the only one. and you had those theraputic zen moments while shooting and that tells me your project served it’s purpose!

  11. I only made it about 30 days, but I am thinking about starting up again on my birthday and going 365 from there. I have been taking photos everyday for the last week or so, and I think once I get in the habit of taking the camera with me everywhere I might be able to keep it up.

  12. Thank you for this. I,too am a dropout. It started by missing one, day, than another… and then bam. I got sick and missed a whole week. And now I have no desire to pick up the camera unless it’s to shoot an event or gathering where I’ve been asked to document. I seem to have lost my desire to shoot for no reason.

    I will try again, some other time…

    But thank you for letting me realize it’s ok.

  13. You aren’t alone. I blew it too – I made it to about 136 I think. I’m still happy though. Last year I did a "30 day" project and I had a really hard time keeping up with that. This year so much has changed – two kids instead of one, starting my own business, etc etc… and I made it to 136?! Amazing.

    Not only that, but I achieved one of my main goals – to pick up my camera every single day. Even if it isn’t for 365, I’m stickin to that at least 🙂

  14. Even though I finished my 365 project last year, I still think that I bailed out because I never finished uploading them–I stopped in October! It is, however, a great project to have undertaken and helped me grow in so many ways. Right now, I would find it REALLY hard to take a photo everyday. Lately, I sometimes don’t even pick up my camera once or twice a week!

    Good Luck, shutterbugs!

    ~WW
    http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com

  15. Thanks for coming clean Tracey, I only made it to day 40 something! I wanted to try to shoot straight to b&w, like in the film days when that’s all you had in the camera and didn’t have a choice. I didn’t realize that was going to be such a challenge – switching back and forth to color was annoying. Maybe if I just kept my point & shoot handy in b&w mode I could try again. I did do a color 365 last year and it was really helpful in making me "see" again.

    I always say I’m glad there’s no "365 police" holding me to the challenge, because after all that’s what it is – a personal challenge 🙂

  16. Keep uploading! Don’t let more than a few days pass between uploads – this will keep the project fresh in your mind (I am way behind, i know). Also – if you go on a big trip, leave your self a reminder to keep taking 365 pics when you get back. It’s easy to forget all your daily projects when your decompressing from a trip.

    And on the creative side – i totally agree with the idea list -i do that all the time. Also – if you are doing a self-365, use yourself as a test subject for creative photo ideas that you want to try.

    One more thing – take "just in case" shots (particularly for self 365ers). As in, just in case I forget/can’t think of a good shot/etc. These will save you more than you think.

    And have fun!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3582895686/in/set-72157612207299928/

  17. I am still plugging away although I’ve missed days all over the place so I only just passed 100. I also intended to take wonderful, artsy pictures of everything but my daughter, but she’s about the only thing I find time to take pictures of consistently every day. So it’s more like a "365 (but not a calendar year) days of Parker project"…

    Here is one of a cool plant though, LOL!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/3251622784/in/set-72157613030267887/

    And one with Parker. :o)
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/3623342250/in/set-72157613030267887/

  18. I started "365 Days in Colour" back in October and I’m still going strong!

    I am really busy with my family and my online shops but the project has become such a way of life, it’s no longer a chore. I actually don’t want it to end!

  19. I get overwhelmed by the idea of 365 so I admire all of you who tried no matter where you ended up!

    I am thinking of trying a 30 (or 31) project soon but but haven’t decided which month to do it on. July would prevent procrastination but August would be easier schedule-wise.

    Maybe I should start with 7 days and build up. 😉

  20. i gave the 365 a try a year ago and was also a dropout! ibut i feel like i got a lot out of it. the purpose of me doing it at that point was to really engage with photography as a daily practice. i stopped the 365 when i realized that i had succeeded in getting that goal!

  21. I didn’t even make it a month. I found it difficult to work into my school and work schedule (both of which I do from home). I found that I was taking pictures of our food everyday. I think I might start a 52 project and take a picture a week for a year. I admire all of you have been able to keep with it. I love the inspiration that everyone here provides.

  22. I must admit, I was so overwhelmed by the thought of trying to squeeze in shooting, downloading, (editing) and uploading each day, that I have never tried a "conventional" 365. But, just this month, I started my own "flavor" of one; basically, the goal is still 365 shots, but I don’t tie myself to shooting 7 days a week or posting each day. I shoot when I can, and post my 7 favorite/best images once a week. This is fitting in so much better with my current 8-hours at the office and 3 – 4 hours of commuting life.

  23. The 365 project is definitely a challenge. Life happens – illness, traveling, etc.

    I had to make a few changes in order to keep up with my project. My biggest change -I take a photo every day, however, I only upload to my site once a week – usually on the weekends. This takes loads of pressure off of me, and it works with my lifestyle.

    My best advice is to make changes that fit for you – remember, there are no rules – it’s your project!

    You can view my daily photos here:
    http://gabriellekaiphotography.com/blog/discovery-project/

  26. I started out with doing a "30 little things" project last year and found quite a bit of joy from it so this year I just started when I felt like it (I’m on 53 today).
    The things I’ve learned in just shy of two months are repeats of advice I’ve heard really…have your camera with you all the time, shoot from the hip, and make it a routine. Like anything that you turn into a habit it becomes second nature pretty quickly. I also have looked at this as a learning project so often the shots I post are works in progress. It helps tremendously I don’t edit. I sometimes take longer on the shot here and there to get the exposure I want SOOC but it is worth it to not have to edit and I find the amount of time I take on the shot has lessened as I’ve learned my camera better and better.
    I’m mostly posting on my blog which has a tiny readership so it has felt very safe to explore.
    here is where you can see 1-52…
    http://sufferingsummer-ashotinthedark.blogspot.com/

    I highly recommend doing some sort of daily project, especially if you are new to photography or like me very new to digital…the learning curve, if you really let the project take you, is steep and exciting!

  28. I have given a great deal of thought to both a "365 project" and a "theme project." My compromise is a photo blog with a personal goal of posting 5 days a week. Once one gets involved in the blogging community, inspiration and motivation comes easily from fellow bloggers. As is often the case, some posts are stronger than others; however, this format allows great freedom and diversity of posting subjects.

    http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com

  29. I have started and ended the 365 project twice now. I am starting up again and did so Sunday…just have not posted any of my pics yet as part of the 365…wanted to see if I could do it!

    Anyway, I have made it to day 36 or so and a little less than that. Life seemed to get in the way and it was not the right time for me to do the project. I am starting again because I love shooting. Simple as that. I want to grow creatively with my portraits and I am determined to do so this year. I feel inspired and when you got that feeling, you have to go with it.

  30. I have been attempting a 365 – and haven’t totally dropped out yet. For me it is more of a forced motion of documenting something that happend that day. The photo is often one that I took w/ my phone. For me the 365 project doesn’t make me take better pictures. Instead it opens my eyes to the obvious, and makes me appreciate those little things that happen in life.

    Great post, and interesting comments! It makes me feel better that others are challenged to take a picture every single day. It is not an easy feat!

  31. I failed at mine also. I started in October ’08 and after about 6 months, things just got super busy – I was launching a new website, getting more jobs… and I quit. Besides, the quality of the pictures was not great. I was just doing it for the sake of doing it and not really putting too much effort into the shots. But I’ll take it on again for sure! In fact, I was thinking about just starting over. No time like the present… maybe?

  32. I started my own 365 last month, on 5/15 for no particular reason. It wasn’t my birthday or anniversary or anything like that. I had been reading about the project online for weeks and finally decided to just jump right in and stop making excuses and waiting for a start date with some sort of significance.

    I decided to do this project simply as a way to gain experience, improve my skills and force myself to learn more about my camera, as I’m an amateur in every sense of the word. Some days my photos aren’t very good, but I’ve learned that that’s ok. Some days I want to print and frame them and show everyone I know because I’m so proud of myself.

    Of all the tips and tricks I’ve read I’ve found 2 to be the most helpful:

    #1 Taking your camera with you (almost) everywhere – I’m shocked at how many photos I’ve taken in random places (the grocery store, my cubicle, yoga class, a friend’s house, etc.)

    #2 Taking a "just in case" photo in the morning – after reading others’ comments and now going through the process myself it seems all too common that life gets in the way of this project. I literally jumped out of bed the other night in a panic when I realized that I hadn’t taken a photo yet that day. This should be fun, not stressful! Now I make sure to take at least one photo by the time I leave for work each morning. It’s part of my routine, like making my coffee (which was a recent photo in fact). Sometimes they aren’t the best, but it removes the pressure I felt before. No matter whether its a great photo or just so-so, I’ve already got SOMETHING I can use for the day. Anything better is just gravy…

  34. One the one hand, I blew it, too. Somewhere around day 60, I think, is when I stopped. But on the other hand, I’ve started taking my camera with me a lot more often. Maybe not everywhere I go, but certainly frequently (more often than not, I’d guess).

    Loved this article…thanks!

  35. I did it for all of 2007, took 2008 off, then picked it up again this year–so far, so good. Tips? Don’t be a perfectionist. Just trip the shutter every day. Some of the days I felt totally uninspired and pressed for time I took some really fun shots. My "most interesting" on Flickr is one of those (the inside of my umbrella); a recent shot of a case of diet Coke is another.

    My set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurabean/sets/72157612255362527/

  36. I must admit that I learned one lesson the hard way. Last Sunday I got up at 4am and drove to JTNP to take pictures as the sun was coming up. At one point I hiked a trail about 1 mile to a place called Barker Dam. I was shooting in RAW so they took up alot of space on the memory card.
    Anyways, once the dams inhabitants got used to my presence, more started venturing out. I went to snap some pictures and I was out of room on my card. And I had left my pocket of extra memory cards back in my car. Missed opportunity for sure.
    Wishing all my Shutter Sisters a scent-sational Tuesday!
    Patty

  37. Haha, I love all these comments. Any day taking photos is better than not! What keeps me going is that I can actually see improvement. I didn’t actually think I would.

    Last month was definitely the hardest month in keeping up with it. I keep having to find myself new challenges since my daughter is usually my main subject. So I say to myself, "I don’t have a photo of such and such expression of hers yet," and I go on a hunt. Or I realize I’ve never taken a photo at a certain hour, so I make a point of it.

    I also like that it forces me to look at a whole set of uploads and pick just one that represents the day and that I know I’ll appreciate next year. I hope to make a little coffee table book since I’m crappy about making albums. I don’t usually edit the photos, which also helps. I figure I can go back and do that if I need to in the end.

    Happy photo-taking, everyone, whether you’re in a project or not. :O)

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/28479290@N05/3627545199/in/set-72157612036043227/

  40. I am still going strong with the 365 self-portrait project I started on 1/1/09. I agree with all of your recommendations, and the one that has been most helpful for me is to free myself from the constraint of trying to make every shot "perfect." While I have certainly used the project as a forcing mechanism to hone my SLR skills, especially for portraiture, a good 60-70% of my 365s are quickies taken with my point-and-shoot (which I carry with me every day) when I’m out and about.

    Here is my 365 in progress: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34036016@N02/

  41. I am a drop out myself. There are the season groups where you do a picture a day for summer, spring, fall, winter, they are a little easier for me.

  45. 100 thank yous for this post. I am a 365 drop out as well, though I think I made it 90-some days (so you did better than me!)…thank you for the courage to jump back in. I have been telling myself various versions of "its too late", "you can’t just jump back in", "you missed too much"…but this post really helps. #8 is exactly what I needed to hear. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
    Dana

  46. A couple of years ago I started a blog where I took a photo a day for a year, I did it and was amazed! I need to do it again for 2010! Love your site!

  47. I photograph to document my life- even the mundane. I’ve been doing year-long photo and video projects since 2004. My one little peice of advice? Have a theme, or shoot the same thing everyday- it may make it simpler adn easier to remember- and the finished body of work will be unified. For example- in 2004 I photographed myself leaving the house everyday, noting the time and the place I was headed for. It’s delightful now to look back and watch myself student teach, get my first job, move to Seattle, and make my own life through these images. Here’s the set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smilinglaura/sets/72157594487363418/
    bon chance to everyone! It’s such an amazing feat!

  48. I am so glad to hear that other people dropped out too, now I don’t feel so much like a failure. I think what really made it a lot harder for me was that I took the challenge a step further and stated on my blog that I would be taking a pic every day and posting at least on pic from every day on my blog. I put too much pressure on myself.

    I thought about dropping out lots of times but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Then I went to my sister’s house for vacation and realized that photography wasn’t fun any more, it was a chore that was becoming completely frustrating. I was stressing and thinking about it constantly. It was taking time away from what I love most, my baby & my husband. Once I stopped I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, I felt free.

    I hung in there for almost 150 days, I don’t feel like a total failure, I could have given up at 30 days, but I stuck in there as long as I could mentally take it.

    Thanks for being so candid and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate knowing that I’m not in this boat by myself.

    Now I just need to tell all my blog readers 🙁

  50. Something about "you MUST shoot and post a photo every day for 365" takes the spontaneity and fun out of a love affair with my camera. Could never hang with it.

  51. I’ve kept up with it but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve taken a pile of back up photo’s. My back up photo’s are things that I would never normally photograph – they are photo’s that I slot into a day when I forget to take a POTD. It’s working for me and keeps the momentum going. My best tip to any starters – it’s OK to cheat; in the overall year it’s never going to matter to anyone but you, so allow yourself permission then just do it.

  52. I failed too. A couple of weeks ago. Things got tough and I had to sell my camera. It was a hard decision but I’m up and running again with a borrowed camera now. I really wish I could have kept it going those couple of weeks. I’ve completed two priojects already though and I know how great it feels to complete such a huge task, so I’m sure I’ll give it another go.

    You should too!

  53. i’m still going on my Project 365. It is easy to say I’m going to throw in the towel but starting a blog just for that has helped me stay focused. Also it’s gotten me to notice more around me. Looking back at the pictures I’ve taken every one isn’t ‘knock your socks off’ amazing. Frankly a lot aren’t. But they’re all part of what’s caught my eye as I’ve gone through my days. I also went into it looking outside of the everyday around the house stuff(that’s another project lol)