Grown Up
The year is a little over three weeks old, which means that my 365 project is developing swiftly. I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner, actually. Perhaps my skills weren’t up to the job earlier than this. I’m definitely learning a huge amount this month.
I used to think that taking interesting photos meant going somewhere interesting – my Flickr is filled with pictures of beautiful places around the country – but this project is making me think about it differently. It’s not about going somewhere, it’s about getting off your arse and creating an image right now, wherever you are. I’d read somewhere, before beginning, that these sorts of activities encourage you to see the world in a different way, and that’s turning out to be true, but it’s also making me see my photography in a different way.
I’m starting to feel more like I’m creating art, rather than simply snapping whatever’s in front of me, which only made me feel lucky, not creative.
Somedays aren't yours at all
It’s easy to take beautiful photos of beautiful views, but this project is making me work harder to get something worth uploading each day. At the moment fifteen of the twenty-four photos in the set were taken in or around my house. I’m having to plan in advance and give proper consideration to what will make a decent photo with a semblance of artistic merit, as opposed to crossing my fingers that I get lucky with the light when I’m in front of something interesting. Some days it comes easily and the first picture I take is worth keeping; other days it is more of a challenge, especially with it being dark when I get home from work. I’ve pulled muscles! Some days I cheat and take tomorrow’s picture today, while I’ve already got the light how I want it and two ideas in my head. Sometimes I really cheat and use a picture I’ve had for ages and have never put on Flickr. But most days you’re getting something new, freshly created, just for this project. I’m enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.
Until recently, I never really believed the adage about a picture being worth more than words – being an English graduate and all. Mostly the pictures speak for themselves, but I think the words help.
It’s satisfying to see the hit counter creep up on each photo every day – makes it worthwhile. Some of them are getting a lot of repeat visitors, like the two here. A lot of people are going back for a second look; I’d love to know what makes you look again. My favourite is always my newest one because it usually matches my mood. Follow me on Twitter to receive a link to each day’s new photo.
They say that a habit is formed after doing it twenty-one times. Thank you for taking part.
