by Dotti
For far too long, I have been in a photography rut. Make that 'canyon'. I've made excuses: not enough time; not enough energy; nothing to shoot; the light is crappy. You name the excuse, I've made it and many more. Finally, I decided, 'Enough is enough!' After all, here I am ... one of the collaborators on this wonderful blog we've created here, and I couldn't inspire myself! You've heard the saying, 'Physician, heal thyself.' It was time for 'Photographer, heal thyself.'
For several months now, I've been following FOL reader Sue Taylor as she recorded her 365 project on her wonderful blog, Quotidian. I've been fascinated at the peek into her life in her English village; her travels around England and beyond; waited anxiously to hear of her husband's recovery from illnesses he suffered this year. She truly inspired me. And I'm overjoyed that she's continuing into Year Two which means you can follow her, too, if you wish.
So, on July 1, I decided to begin a 365. Why wait until January 1? I needed intervention now. To take it even further, I've challenged myself to posting it on my personal blog {Camper} and Flickr photostream every day. {I'm linking these here so you can hold me accountable!} Now, I assure you that life in small town Kentucky is not anywhere near as quaint and charming as life in an English village but that isn't the point. It is still my life and this record, captured on my blog, will document at least one year of my life. I've never been good at journaling so this sounded like just the ticket.
Make no mistake, I know it won't be easy, it is not my first 365. And right now with our garden at its peak, inspiration comes easily. The real challenge comes in winter. One thing I did learn about doing 365's: you improve, practice may not make you perfect but it takes you further down the road. And the truth of the matter is, I need just this kind of discipline to keep myself on the journey, that journey we love, called 'photography'.
By the time you read this, I'll be on {Day Fifteen} and already it's paying dividends. I'm learning to look again but even more importantly, I'm learning to see. I think I'd forgotten how.
Some of you may come by this skill more easily; for me it has been a learned skill, one too easily forgotten, it seems. Your photographs on our Flickr pages inspire me and for that I thank you. Your participation in our FOL family fills me with joy. Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey with us.
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In addition to our regular Flickr page, there is a new FOL Flickr page for phoneography, Focus on Phoneography. I hope you'll join us there. And remember to follow and support one another on personal blogs, that's how we'll grow our 'family'. There's a list here and we'll gladly add more as we learn them.
11 comments:
Big smile from this corner of the world. I have never had the urge to do a "365" until, well, quite lately. Your shots really shine with the energy this project is bringing to your art. Let me sip this tea and think on it all....
Happy week, FOLers,
Pam
I am rooting for you and your 365 challenge...I have pooped out twice after making a really good start. Beautiful, beautiful images today of your lovely garden!!
This post makes me want to start again! I have done two, pretty successfully, and then last year I got as far as April. But I loved them when I was doing them and agree with you that it kept me shooting which kept me engaged with my passion. Your photos prove it is definitely working for you! Just beautiful!
First of all, thank you for sharing Susan's blog. It looks wonderful. I got half way through a 365 last year and then it petered out. Or I guess I did. I was just getting too many "oh no I forgot to take a picture today" as I crawled into bed shots. I didn't want them to just be "eh" photos. Good luck with yours. Your photos here are lovely. Hopefully your inspiration will continue.
Am looking forward to seeing how you get on I have started so many times and given up....
oh yes...learning to see. that's what it is all about. i have found that this time of year is full inspiration as well...the winter was definitely more of a challenge which is why there are lots of coffee cup and door knob shots in my 365 flickr stream. but you know, that tells the story of my life too. and it's all good. looking forward to seeing your life in pictures. thanks for the inspiration.
Yupo - it's much harder to commit when you've done it before, because you know what you're in for. However - when I bought my camera was when I did my first one, and there is no better way on earth to learn your equipment - and that will help with everything you shoot. As everyone has said, I can see its working for you now - nice group of shots! Good luck, honor the small things in life to appreciate the good ones - and I look forward to watching your progress.
Dotti, you have my admiration! You have made a beautiful beginning! I've done a 365 once and I started another one last month. It has already helped me tremendously with my 50mm lens! I'll look forward to see a little part of your world each day!
Hi Dotti! great inspiring post! I've never done a 365 but can fully appreciate the dedication it must take - I'm rooting for you too! Your images are gorgeous, by the way!
i've done a 365 since 2011, but it has evolved into something so much more than "just a photo project". i couple it with major and/or minor events of my day, just a few words or sentences, and now it's a true form of therapy for me, a quieting if you may. good luck and have fun!
I did a 52 week project two years ago, it was a little more manageable for me, although to be honest there is rarely a day I don't pick up my camera. I wish you great success with this, you are already off to a great start! :)
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