Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The fat lady sings

This was my first picture for Project 365, taken a year ago:

001:365



This is my last picture for Project 365, taken earlier tonight:

365:365


I did it. I completed the behemoth that is Project 365--and I didn't do it alone. Three other people who started this whole rigmarole with me also finished. Mad props to Alejna, Misty and Steve. I feel a bit like celebrating but mostly I feel burnt out. It's an impossibly hectic pace this taking a photo a day gig--especially when you start caring about your results and about actually improving along the way. That's when you end up taking as many as 200-300 pictures in a single day (e.g. droplet shots) in order to learn what you need to and to get the result you were hoping for. And furthermore, taking the pictures isn't nearly so taxing as looking thorough them, deleting the duds and deciding on a single winner for each and every day. Once that is done, there is all the finicky uploading and posting. Aye caramba! I will be so happy to reclaim those hours in my life.

But I am very happy that I not only took it on but also stuck with it 'til the bitter end.

Here are a few things I learned along the way:
1. I take most of my pictures between 6 and 7:30 pm b/c that's the only time my husband is home and this reality creates the illusion that I'll be afforded time and concentration.
2. THIS IS AN ILLUSION. Plus, it means that most of my photos are fuelled by the dinner-hour blood sugar crash.
3. It is very hard to take pictures with a 6 year old next to you at all times.
4. Thankfully, 6 year olds are about the most photogenic objects on earth. (93 of the photos are of her plus 3 or 4 of just her hands)
5. Your family will never stop to let you take photos which means you get a lot of shots of them walking on ahead.
6. White balance is a bitch.
7. Flowers taken with a shallow depth of field are lovely--so lovely in fact that you come to depend on them when time keeps marching hurriedly on.
8. There are more interesting things outside my front and back door than I ever would have guessed a year ago.
9. I fear I am house-bound.
10. Birds are everywhere and are stunning and quirky and, after a while you know exactly which bird is going to be on the feeder by its distinctive call.

I learned so much more but I won't go on about it all here. I did learn to use my camera with skill and intent and that's what I set out to do. I also learned that I have so very much more to learn--things that are impossible to absorb while taking daily pictures, working at a professional job and parenting a 6 year old. What I do know is that I want to continue my education.

Come fall I plan to start a P52 (weekly) or maybe even a P26 (bi-weekly)--wherein, I will set fixed prompts far in advance. Each prompt will force me to treat it as a photography tutorial. For my part, I'm hoping to have enough time to read up on technique and also look at how a handful of professional photographers and/or artist photographers approach the subject of the prompt. I'll post the results of that project here--sometimes a single photo; sometimes a group or series; but never a photo a day. That tank is now empty.

Want to join me? I am always happy for the company. If so, send me an email or leave a comment and we can start planning from there. In the meantime, I'm going on vacation and, yes, I will be taking my camera with me.

Now please allow me to leave you with a handful of my favourite shots from this past year.


007:365

007:365



016:365

016:365



026:365

026:365



035:365

035:365



053:365

053:365



070:365

070:365



096:365

096:365



138:365

138:365



156:365

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160:365

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181:365

181:365



183:365

183:365



189:365

189:365



205:365

205:365



209:365

209:365



226:365

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229:365

229:365



Going

Not a 365 shot b/c taken the same day as above.



More than genes

Not a 365 shot b/c taken the same day as the 2 above. March 13th was a very good day.



269:365

269:365



273:365

273:365



280:365

280:365



298:365

298:365



303:365

303:365



312:365

312:365



328:365

328:365



341:365

333:365



355:365

355:365


And my favourite shot of the year:

353:365

353:365

16 comments:

  1. Love your lesson #5. Congratulations!

    These are ALL beautiful shots.

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  2. You took some really wonderful shots this year. It has been a pleasure to watch. Cngratulations on finishing so well!!

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  3. YAY! I don't have the time sadly, but it's been awesome to watch you go!!!

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  4. Congratulations. Exhaling, plunking back into the couch cushions. Done. I love all your favorites and even more. So glad I got to do this with you.

    Misty
    PS: I suck at prompts.

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  5. Goal reached and exceeded. Loved the creative prompts almost as much as the pictures. Good for you.

    Linda

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  6. I am so impressed. You've taken so many gorgeous photos this year (even more than what you've included here in your favourites), and it has been delightful to get to enjoy seeing your skill grow. Plus, doing this project every day is a monumental effort. Kudos to all four of you for making it to the end!!!

    By the way, I love the lessons you've learned and would be interested in hearing about the others, too!

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  7. Congratulations! Good eye and excellent work!

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  8. I might be up for a P26. (Could just ignore the in-betweens if you go for 52.) I keep looking at the digital camera class at the college but it's too expensive and I don't do Friday nights. I shall begin my preparations by finding my camera manual.

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  9. stunned by these. well-done, you. for seeing it through, for making such strides, for meeting your goals.

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  10. Oh wow, that was one fast year -- didn't you just start?! ;) Sue, you've done so amazingly well with this. I've been lurking a lot on google reader and really enjoyed watching your eye develop. And I totally agree with ALL your lessons learned, except if I left the picture taking until the evening I would never get it done.

    That picture of Miss M with the matching PJs is still one of my fave pictures ever, but really, all of your faves are amazing. Great work, and I'm glad you're carrying on.

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  11. And FWIW, you must come up with a new tag line for the blog. I didn't think it applied at first, and it truly doesn't apply now!

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  12. As to Number 6, Amen!
    These are beautiful photos, Sue, and show a growing mastery of technique, technology and theme. I have my own list of favourites from your year, but these are awesome, all of them.
    I too might be up for a P26: although I lost it about half way through the 365, I loved doing it.
    You are amazingly disciplined and so, so creative. Congratulations!
    And, yeah, my family won't stop either. I call them wump shots.

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  13. Congratulations Sue! My favourite is Muriel jumping on the shore - incredible lines, reflections, and emotion. Well done on everything. I have no idea how you found the time to pull it all together every day and still get some sleep. We have enjoyed your year of art - thank you so much.
    p.s. I too have many backside shots down roads, paths, and hallways.

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  14. Congratulations--this was fun and I love your pictures. I know I didn't learn as much as you did (except that digital cameras can die unexpectedly and take two months of photos with them), but I did enjoy trying to do this project.

    And now that my camera's back from the shop, I'm willing to try again.

    And let me say it again--I loved your pictures.

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