tackling a photo a day 2009 – part 1
I’d mentioned trying to get in a couple more updates before winding down on prophotolife so I sure want to follow through. This post is split into two parts: today I’ll mention some of the more philosophical things I’m realizing from starting the photo a day 2009 project. Next week, in part two, I’ll share a bunch of the technical things I’ve learned from working with the new camera and website.
Since we all enjoy learning about photography it seems a natural to share what I’m learning from starting the photo a day 2009 blog (Talkington Photo Video). What is there to learn? Well, a new blogging program, new processing software and a new camera and lenses. If there’s not something there to learn then I’m definitely not paying attention!
This is pretty much the way I learn. We all have different methods for what works best for us as individuals and clearly defined goals are effective for me. “Photo a day” is perfect for that. There are a number of things on my “I’d like to do that someday” list…and that’s just when they’ll get done: someday. But, hey, announce to the world you’re going to start a project on January 1 and now there’s a greater sense of obligation, a purpose beyond my own learning.
Online photo sharing is still relatively young but it’s dramatically changed the way photographers interact. We’ve become accustomed to showing our photographs and we all enjoy receiving kudos for a nice image. The approval of others can lift us to new heights and the sharing of ideas is an incredible boon. For instance, yz (a photo blogging inspiration) suggested I print one of my abstracts really large. Hmmm, I hardly ever print large but that’s a really cool idea and it has me thinking in completely new ways. That’s one of the really enjoyable things about such a photo project (and it’s nice we’re still talking about printing in this online age…I was starting to forget about printing!).
But, when you’re trying to post 365 new photos in a row, they’re not all going to be winners. There are going to be photos that are part of a process that aren’t finished works of art, they’re just steps along the way to improving as a photographer. While it’s nice to produce work enjoyed and understood by others, sometimes you have to do like that old proverb, just put it out there and “dance like there’s no one watching”. Those are some of the most important images of all.
Trying to achieve a photo goal like this is also not just about the photographs. I realize that 365 photos aren’t just 365 photos. Hopefully, they’re also a wide range of experiences and recollections. Photography has given me many gifts in the form of personal experience.
For instance, I’ve never watched The Surgery Channel and often turn my head at blood and gore in movies. But I’ve had no problem photographing in an operating room, framing incisions and complicated procedures through the lens of a camera. The camera has done that for me.
Extreme heights are something else I’m not particularly fond of, yet I’ve leaned out the side of a plane with the door removed with no problems, all because a camera was in my hands. Go figure.
Who knows? We’re only 3 days into the new year as of this writing but I’m certain that 362 photos from now I’ll have enjoyed some new experiences as a result of photo a day. I don’t plan on hanging out of any planes in the coming year but even seeing my own neighborhood in a new way would be reward enough. Maybe it will be a year of new visions, maybe a year of refinements.
Next week in part 2 I’ll share some of the technical things I’m learning from the initial experience regarding the Olympus E520
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Jim,
Really appreciate your post. I would think this print large would be amazing. I look forward to hearing about your learning with LR and Pixelpost. I have not been able to make that work for me yet, but you are inspiring me each day to learn more. Thank you.
TB
Hi Jim,
Long time, no natter! I just got past the turkey and tinsel bit, and feel totally Christmassed out. Now, on top of all that, I dial-up PPL, only to0 find the phrase that you are ‘winding-down’ on it!! Does this mean that you’ve done what youwanted and are now quitting while you’re still ahead? I sincerely hope not!! You’ve become, almost, a fixture on my computater screen. You would be missed. Mind you,I am not unaware of the demands that such a project imposes. You do, after all is said and done, havge both a business and a family to consider, even a single man has a ‘family’ of friends, and relations. I like a bumper sticker I saw on a camper van once….”Love a little, trust a few, and ALWAYS paddle your own canoe”. Clever words dressed up as a mere sticker! Maybe the time has come for a spell of independent paddling? I think I’ve missed a few posts somewhere along the line, so please, keep me posted, won’t you?
ATB. Doug.
Jim, been a while, been very busy.
Still, I am up to 215 with the cat pictures , and starting to wonder where I am going after that. If there is an after.
It has been very enlightening for me, making a good image every day, and I am trying to expand beyond the cat project too.
I am sure you will get lots out of it.
I have started using lightroom too, I am sure we will have tips to share.
Hi Jim,
I really enjoy ProPhoto Life posts and videos and just wanted to say that it’s funny that you are tackling the “Photo a Day”. I woke on 12/31 and decided that I will tackle the same project, but in my case, I called it “Project365″. Although I won’t be able to go out daily to photograph, but at least, I must post 1 image a day to my blog.
You can see Project365 at here
Thanks for all your posts and inspirations!
There are definitely some challenges when it comes to keeping up with a Photo a Day Blog. I am just learning that myself with my own photo blog. It’s been fun so far but when you work a full time job it can be difficult to find things that are photographic…you really need to stretch your imagination and find something large or small that is worthy of an image. After checking out your blog I went ahead and started using PixelPost, it’s great software. I’ve also been drawn down the LR path! 11 days left of the trial, but I’m definitely going to buy it!
Looking for to seeing more daily images!
It’s great to see a mixture of old and new faces in this thread. Doug, take a look at the prior post for my reasoning on the slowdown. It’s a number of factors but prophotolife will still be here and the videos will be available for the newbies to learn from.
Bill, you’ve built an incredible set of images. I admire pursuing one subject so tirelessly and, I gotta be honest, I think you could sell a bunch of books if you put one together. Have you ever looked at Blurb.com? If you ever do decide to market a book I’ll tirelessly plug it on any of my websites.
Todd, I’ll dive into Pixel Post a bit in the next post. My biggest hurdle was getting the php setup with GoDaddy. More to come.
Ray and Ariston, I checked out your blogs – right on! I hope we all make it to the finish line with 365 images under our belts.
Hello Jim, Merry Christmas!!!
I wanted to say thank you for your blog and the videos uploaded!
I have a question to you, please tell me as a pro photographer how to photograph jewellery? What backgrounds are used, the lights…
I’ve tried to photograph silver, but i can’t get comletely white background…
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/3155531407_f21556bd57.jpg?v=0
Please before you wind down your blog, could you tell how to do it?
I think not only me will be interested. Thank you!
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