On January 1, 2010, I decided to participate in Project 365 — where I took a photo a day for a full year. I chose the photo medium because photography is faster production-wise than drawing or designing something. Taking photos requires looking for interesting details, seeing the composition boundaries of the frame, and knowing the right moment to take the photo if there are people involved. Since I’d be capturing something that already exists, I knew I could commit to the full year photography challenge outside of my full-time job.
With digital photography, I could download the photos to my computer after pressing the camera’s shutter button. Adjusting the contrast, colors, sizing down each photo in Photoshop, tagging in Flickr, or catching up on shots took more time. My project requirement was carrying a camera with me nearly everywhere I went, every day. I used a Canon Powershot G11 camera because it was lightweight but decent quality, as well as my iPhone camera.
Life gets in the way
After a few months, I started to get tired of the consistent daily challenge. Most days, taking more than one photo wasn’t difficult. Other days, I couldn’t wait around for some street photography moments to happen because I had to get back to the office. Sometimes I didn’t see anything interesting to photograph in my work neighborhood area. I admit, I didn’t upload a photo every day that day. And sometimes I used photos from the same week that I hadn’t taken the exact day. I’d batch upload photos at the end of a week, and assign a date to them. My photos were a combination of street photography, people, objects, signs, places and events. I would have loved to do more arty shots, but didn’t take much time to set up the lighting or props.
I fell behind after I got back from Vancouver BC, and after I moved from San Francisco to Pacifica. I had to catch up editing, uploading and tagging about two and a half weeks’ worth of photos. Most of my life, I’d started many outside art and design projects but never finished them. I wouldn’t give up on Project 365, it was doable, and I needed to prove to myself I could finish it.
Advice on how to make it through
I always eye details around me as I walk down the street during lunch hour or my commute. Some days when I didn’t see much to photograph, I’d capture objects in my house. If you’re stuck when you do it, try photographing objects around your home. To break up the monotony, I threw in some drawings I made during that time as well. The key is to take lots and lots of photos, try different angles, framing/composition, abstract close-ups or lighting. Then, pick a few decent ones. 
Mix up photo ideas with people (street or portraits), places (environment, nature, weather), things (objects, architecture, sculptures, signs, patterns, books, bags), events, holidays, colors, numbers, pets, your commute, or something that represents a summary of that day. Nowadays, there are lots of iPhone apps that make photo effects more interesting if you want to add something extra.
If the Flickr community comments on your work, it’s rewarding and helpful. Some photographers are supportive and will critique your work if you give them feedback on their photos. Social media encourages people to share information and make connections. Posting your photo links via Twitter is useful, but do it in moderation.
Why do it?
I participated in Project 365 to finish a long term side project, to challenge my way of seeing things, and to become better at the ‘medium.’ A side perk was finding interesting photo opportunities. The photo project also chronicled pieces of my life for that year. View my Project 365 on Flickr.
– Anita
Hi there, really interesting advice here, I’m at day 10 and it already seems like a challenge, I guess most weekdays, I do the same thing and it is difficult to mix it up,
PS how did you create the above picture with the borders, it looks really good, it would be great to produce one like this for all 365 days and get it printed.
I would some advice you get chance: http://www.adammottershead.co.uk
Cheers! Adam x
Hi Adam,
Thanks for the comment! For the border, I used the iPhone app “PS Express” (Photoshop Mobile). Most photos are from my Canon Powershot G11. I used a few Hipstamatic pics as well. I only started using Instagram near the end of my daily 2010.
I hear you on “seeing” the same things on weekdays. Besides the photo advice I highlighted above, take advantage of side streets, and different places, etc. Look at all of the objects and details inside the bigger environment and focus on a few pieces. Because of my interest in graphic design, I’m drawn to objects, patterns, shapes, street art etc. I like to vary the size of the composition, get a close frame, crop, try angles, etc.
Not all pics will be super interesting. Don’t worry if you don’t have a photo for that exact day. Use another one that’s close to it. Disciplining yourself to take daily photos gives you practice noticing details in your environment, and stretching your creativity by capturing at things in different ways. Take a few or more pics of each scene.
I see you have a variety of photo types. That’s good. Moments with people, closer more abstract shapes, signs. I’m drawn to your site’s 002 and 005 because they seem unique and arty. It’s not as obvious what they are.
Good luck and remind me when you want feedback. Cheers.
Cheers Anita
Yeah that is so true, it’s funny that since I started doing this project, it is amazing how much you ‘open your eyes’. Normally I would just put my ipod and go into my own little world now must of my day is spend actually looking around.
Yeah 002 and 005 were taken with a double exposure type lens, the effect either works of looks terrible, I am pleased with the way that these came out though.
May have to download that app.
I love the way that you have taken picture of every day items and made them really interesting,the picture of your headphones and the “I voted sticker” look really cool so I may have to bear this in mind.
Thanks for taking a look at my site and for the feedback. I will bear it on mind on my walk home tonight
Cheers
Adam x