The Ultimate Guide to Project 365
Most likely since it’s the beginning of a new year, all your new year’s resolutions will start- then (possibly) slowly fizzle out and die. One challenge many people are talking about lately in the creative industry is ‘project 365′.
What the heck is that?
Take one photo a day for a consecutive three hundred and sixty five days of the year. If you’re not into taking photos every day, no fear-there are other options; you could design something every day.
Why would I want to do that?
Many reasons. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or even have an expensive camera to partake in 365. Don’t get me wrong, the pictures turn out better if you know what you’re doing! But it can still be fun, I have a Canon T1i-but I am choosing to shoot my project 365 with my iphone because it’s easier for me to commit, since my phone is always with me. And…if you’re worried that you missed out since it’s already January 5th-don’t! It doesn’t need to start on Jan 1, it’s any consecutive 365 days throughout the year, so what are you waiting for?
If you need even more tips on why or even how, here is a great take on seeing your life in a whole new way.
But…who is doing it?
Well-good thing you asked. Lot’s of people-even companies are getting into it like Threadless. They’ve launched ‘Threadless 365′, where you can get daily behind the scenes stuff from their world.
What do I need to start?
Whether your an experienced photographer, an amatuer or just a hobbyist/photo lover, it’s easy to gather up some tools and get started. These are just some options, you don’t need ALL of them.
- iphone or other mobile device - photo taking
- a film camera or DSLR - photo taking
- scanner – if your using film
- flickr - uploading your photos
- tumblr - upload & blog about your photos, also has an iphone app.
- posterous – upload & blog about your photos
- wordpress - upload & blog about your photos
- twitter - let everyone know about your project
- notebook/moleskine – record when & where the photo was taken, perhaps even the settings or your mood.
Twitter searches & hashtags:
Flickr groups to join
- Project_365 -general
- Project 365 – general
- 365 Days – focuses on a self portrait for each day
- 52 Weeks – general
Beautiful samples to get you motivated
Wynona R (january fifth)
Alexandra Diaz (2/365)
Lou Bert (Day One Zero Six: Snow)
Brandon Lyon (5/365 Nothing fancy, just some coffee please)
Kenneth Edwards (2/365)
Are you taking the challenge? Let us know. While you’re at it, join the Fuel Your Photography Flickr group and add some of those photos, you never know where you might be showcased! You can also follow us on Twitter.
Founder, Chief Product Officer at Tinder. Designer. Foodie. Loves coffee and beta apps. Tweets a lot. adellecharles.com for the rundown.
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I am already on day90 tomorrow, it can be very intensive though, i miss that part in your story.
Thanks for sharing Mevrouw, it can be very intense! Anxious to see how you feel in another two months. Any tips you can share with our readers?
My tip would be, not trying to produce a masterpiece everyday.
Some days your time is just too short, I am planning my more complex shots in my weekends so I have more time to spend for set-up, make-up or processing.
Oh gosh… This is so tempting to do… I might just have to.
Hi Megan, it’s a great challenge…let’s us know what you decide and post a link here if you do it!
I’m working on my third 365 project – it is a very intense thing to do but it can completely change your view of the world around you and push you to improve your skills.
Completely agree, it’s interesting to look at people’s first photo and compare half way through-huge difference!
You know, I really like this! Awesome concept and a real way to just record what is happening around you each day. Sort of how I feel about art history in general: it records a snapshot of a society, time, place, experience to explore, discuss and discover years later. I think it might be a unique way to be able to look back and see what intrigued you at that moment each day — even a quick snapshot. Count me in!
Glad your in! 365 is a great diary of sorts. Along the same vain…I’ve downloaded ‘Momento’ app for the iphone and it integrates twitter/flickr/facebook etc-and is basically a record of every day life & lifestream. Pretty cool to look back and see what you were doing on a certain day or even ’see’ how you were feeling.
Here is my project365 album. That app Momento sounds amazing, will have to get that to make this as easy as possible to make sure I keep this up. Have been loving your photos so far too.
Oops here is the url, brain hiccup: http://www.bluewavemedia.ca/project-365/
I might just have to start this tomorrow
Nice! Make sure to come back and let us know the URL if you start it Jenna. Good luck!
Wow this is awesome dude! I love your other blog too, but you’ve got some sick resources here as well. Keep it up man
Thanks so much!
I’ve been doing this for the better part of a year now. Honestly, some days you just don’t have an opportunity to take a nice photo, but I usually make it up on my days with a lighter schedule. However, for me, the crux of this undertaking has been to get my creative juices flowing again, and to start seeing my daily world in a new way. You start looking at things differently and begin to see beauty in things that everyone overlooks. I’m not saying I’m the next Ansel Adams by any means, it’s just a catalyst and a challenge. It really helps if you have some friendly competition with a buddy. My friend has been a photographer for years and we independently took this project on at about the same time. We push each other via Facebook picture posts. It’s brought a great deal of fun and happiness to both of us. Not to mention its a visual documentation of my world. Sometimes we forget to make a record of our existence, but this project has changed that forever. I primarily use my iPhone 3Gs, and some filters and photoshop. I’ve managed to capture some memorable scenes and moments. And for that, I’m thankful.
Thanks for the insight Mike. I’m only on day 9 but already see what you mean-I do look at everything a bit differently now and it keeps me motivated & fresh.
Great primer! I started a few Project 365s this year that I hope to keep up with. One is to take a photo every day with my iPhone, and if needed, edited with only my iPhone as well: http://iphonotos.com/ Another is to take a photo of myself every day and then post it to DailyBooth, and then at the end of the year, stitch these photos together into a time lapse movie: http://dailybooth.com/CoryOBrien Lastly, I’m trying to experiment with my DSLR photography as well, and am posting the results to a portfolio style blog: http://coryobrienphotography.com/
Cory-Wow you are keeping yourself busy! I absolutely love that you are taking a photo of yourself every day but even more because your taking it a step further to do the time lapse vid at the end. Can’t wait to see how that turns out. Checked out all your links too, awesome photos.
Brilliant!!! (and insane) I love it, I want in. Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Awesome, most welcome!
I was out photographing when I met another photography that told me about Blipfoto.com. I started on Dec. 24th there. I don’t see it on your list but it should be there. Great site and community! http://www.blipfoto.com/pddesigns
Great discipline. I’ve been thinking about what to photograph a lot more since starting.
Good article – keep up the good work!
Just started a blog about starting up in the photography business, and along with that, I’m starting a Project 365 – only two days in so far, but I’ve got days 3 & 4 to post soon. So far, so good – this is going to be a really fun project, I can tell, and I’m very excited to continue this project and see what develops (no pun intended)!
w: patrickonofre.com
T: @Sinareo
This will be my third year doing project365. The first year I didn’t do too well, but last year was much better. I had a number of friends doing it so that also was a big help and made it a lot more enjoyable.
I started my 365 project in June 2009. I’m taking a photo every day with different cameras, even with an iPhone. Most of my photos are edited.
Today, 223 days later, I know i’ts hard sometimes but it improves my skills.
this is mine http://www.flickr.com/photos/suprie/sets/72157623001263897/
sorry, but the description is in indonesian … i’m not speak english very well :D
I’m on this for 2010: http://tinyurl.com/yg6hfr8
Wow, nice.. I along with fellow bloggers in Indonesia has also participated in this 365 projects. You can check the twitter hashtag #365shots to see all the updated shots today. Or you could also check my blog. In my last post, I invite Indonesian bloggers to also participate in this event, and the response was really great. More than 20 people now participate in this event.
already doing this..
:)
#365post and #365 shots..
so excited XD
Here’s my 365 set – http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylesteeddesign/sets/72157622993872375/
Oh, also, thanks for sharing the links to these other great 365 profiles. It’s really easy to get lost in some of the more beautiful ones. Really great inspiration and motivation for me.
Last night a friend asked me what’s my goal for doing the project, and I didn’t have a quick answer for him. But I think one of my goals is to push myself each day to come up with a new creative way to take a picture (in this case of myself). So seeing how other people are going about it definitely helps.
Great post! I’m doing one this year too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinlancaster/sets/72157622997044121/
Cool to see so many people doing this, definitely keeps me motivated. Good luck to everyone else in the club!
It’s a great concept and I too have started an iphone 365 project
http://gregmulvaney.wordpress.com
It certainly makes you look at things differently – especially around the house, only started on 1 Jan so will see how it goes in a few months
A good concept to promote my work, but a long road through a whole year… Check my album on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/aseed/sets/72157623127900068/
Excellent post! I started tasra365 in September after being challenged by photo guru and founder of PhotoFocus, Scott Bourne. He challenged me to not only take a picture a day, but also read a page in my camera manual and look at other pro images every day.
I invited other aspiring and professional photographers on the journey and now there are over 350 signed up at http://tasramar.com and posting images on twitter with hashtag #tasra365, plus our tasra365 flickr group.
It’s been such an amazing journey and encouraging group of photographers. I even feature fellow photographers every Friday and post all the tweets with hashtag #tasra365 every Tuesday!
So much fun. Thanks for your tutorial on the topic!
Tasra
Heyy Kenneth Edwards Checking In. I’m flattered to see one of my photos being used as an example! I’m currently on day 62, It’s quite fun. I do a mix of Digital & film photography in mine to spice things up. Please feel free to check it out and let me know what you think! Bellow is the link to my Flickr (where i post 365’s) and my 365 projects actual website.
Flickr.com/kennethedwards
Micro.TheUrbanNomad.org
What a brilliant idea – very inspiring, I am starting today! Project 365 could apply to many things: drawing, singing, writing ad infinitum… thanks!
im on day 12 today!!! cant think of anything though, i may not do a self portrait today (: but im loving it! only on day 12 and im struggling for ideas though, you do have to be commited though! sometimes if im out and have forgot my camera and i dont have time to do one that day, i’ll shift it to the next, and i will do 2 photos that day to make up for it, they both will have seperate themes though, so the one for the previous day will relate to that day and so on (: i’ll post my flickr link so people can check out mine!!! im loving it though!!! (:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52061670@N08/ (: that should work!!!
i really do recomend it to anyone!!! it really pushes you and helps you develop your skills.
I started it at the beginning of the year and still going, if a bit late on some days. It is a fun project and gives you an insight of what your skills and abilities are.
Glad I started it but if you have a life on the outside world it may eat up a bit, next year I will do a ‘Project 52′
Follow mine at both:
http:///graphiary.tumblr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyanos_aum
Hey – really interesting reading about everyones 365 experience. I’m up to day 138 (or sometihng like that) and it’s been challenging!
I keep my photos on a blog (www.helenog.wordpress.com) and to provide inspiration have asked friends to set me themes taht I can work through on the quieter days. I know little about photography, and so this is great way to work out how to use the cameras to their potential and to find out what types of subjects you really like to photograph.
I also made it interactive this Saturday and got people to all join in and take a photo at 3pm which was great fun! http://helenog.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/3pm-photos-the-results/
I’ll enjoy having a peek through other peoples projects :)
Great! I’m starting mine today :D
Such a great, great concept with actionable advice. I travel every day from Denver to Boulder and I try to capture the beautiful sunrises I see every morning. Sometimes I have my SLR or my film Rangerfinder. If I don’t have either I will use my iPhone since I always have that with me!
After thinking about it, maybe this would be a cool service for professional photographers to offer to their clients. Instead of shooting every day they could schedule little mini sessions for once each month. It’s not exactly along the lines of the point of this post, but it would definitely be a challenge to anyone!
Me and my friend actually started this project on January 1st 2010. And now we only have less than a month to go.
It’s weird how you now can look back on each photo and remember what happened that day. I think it’s also a great thing because sometimes we forget things and we do need physical triggers to remember them .
Although I don’t have a fancy SLR camera I still find this project fun. I did the 52 weeks project right before that and It was a lot more challenging to remember everything that came and went throughout the week.
I think I might even do another one for the year 2011, it’s just a great way to also get picture with friends and of nature that you don’t necessarily have to use but keep for memories.
I started mine back in October & I slacked terrible. 35 photos for 2 months.
Being a new year, I’m restarting. Keep my old one, just restarting & sticking to it better than last time.
One of my resolutions.
Haha. (:
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again! I’m going through the same thing – attempt #3! :-P
Good luck with this batch!
- P
Just started my Project 365 yesterday. I’m not that artistic or creative but I do love photography… mine might not be that great but I’ll try to get through the whole year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlle_raquel/sets/72157625598638505/
You don’t have to be creative or artistic to do a 365 – you just have to have a passion for photography and fun while you shoot!
Good luck!
- P
I encourage anyone that wants to do a 365 to JUST DO IT! it is simple and can even be fun. I have been doing this for 6 yrs. In 2010 I ramped it up and shot a portrait a day (you can view on my Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthuckphoto/sets/72157622993693495/with/5314303467/ ) I decided to continue w/ my portraits project this year. I have always enjoyed shooting w/ a disposable camera so I plan on shooting a photo a day w a disposable camera reloaded w/ black and white film in addition to a 52 week project w my Polaroid camera! Follow at will on Twitter: @scotthuckphoto FLickr is a great way to post your images BUT check out http://www.shuttercal.com great way to post in calendar format!
Six years?! Wow! I had trouble doing mine for one! I think that if I can successfully accomplish attempt #3, I will try the self-portrait thing. I hate photos of myself, so trying to do them in creative ways might change my mind. Or not. (I guess we’ll find out next year!)
Cheers and good luck!
- P
Hi Adelle!
I started my project 365 on January 28, 2009 and I can not believe how fast this year flew by. I did it entirely using my Blackberry (except for one or two photos). It’s incredible to be able to look back on a specific date and remember exactly what you were doing or feeling that day. It does get challenging but carrying on with the project through the entire 365 days is definitely worth it.
I’m thinking of making a mosaic out of the pictures when I’m completely done. Feel free to take a peek at my project if you’d like =D
Album 1
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050686&id=1323930015&l=4caaa51b09
Album 2
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2075815&id=1323930015&l=cd3ecbbd38
~Julie
And by 2009 I mean 2010 =P
Right when i started project 365, i looked at this article. It got me thinking to start it, as well as finish it. some days are rushes and some days are taken with time.
If your interested, here’s my album ill be working on for the next 343 days, critiques are welcome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianhart/sets/72157625600094321/
okay, i want to do this. i have to buy some film first. but i am determined to do this.
This is a good idea to amateur photographers and videographers as well. Thanks for sharing this.
I started my project almost a month ago, and didn’t even realize there are websites hosting these type of projects. I have been posting mine on my business Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/InnocentArt-Photography/111382042279635 hope you may stop by and see the photos of my 365 soon :)
I did this last year 12-01-10 thru 11-30-11, love it!!! This year I have started my iPhone 365 (12-01-11) and on January 1st I will start my regular camera 365, only I think it will be themed, still thinking it thru :) I use a Canon 7D, when I started my project I was taking online classes (as I did here and there during te year) you can actually see the changes in my photos! You cam tell when I was scrambling for something to pgotograph and when I felt great, it’s all there!! I love this project, it is a commitment! you will hit times when you don’t think you can keep going but something always makes you pick the camera up and take that one photo!! Good luck to everyone!!!!
I just started (today) my Project 365. Joined flickr as StrasPhoto. Excited!