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One month into the 365 Project

I started the picture-every-day project with the outlook of "wouldn't that be cool." Given that my life is more routine now with a 9 to 5 desk job, assigning a simple project like this one would provide something to break up the monotony. It's now been a little more than a month since I have started the assignment and with this passage of time I've come to realize other aspects of taking a picture every day.


Forcing yourself to take a picture every day makes you look at your world differently. This is not to say that I'm constantly confronted with zen-like realizations such as "Those folded up t-shirts are beautiful in their own accord." Rather, I am more often searching for something in the environment, not glancing absent-mindedly. Seek and ye shall find, right? So when looking for something interesting, I find my world to more interesting. Just yesterday, that golf course I always drove by caught my eye. Of course, this works both ways - on days where I can't find anything worth shooting, I guess I live a super-dull life. This leads me to my next point.


I'm more inclined to go to new places. I don't want a gallery of sullen shots of things around my house. Granted, sometimes these days are impossible to avoid. But to get the most variety of this project, I'm more likely to take a drive around town on my lunch hour, go out and meet up for a drink, or plan a road trip. Its not like the photo-of-the-day project is the only reason why I get out, but it provides an additional incentive to be more active. Otherwise, my universe would be defined by the daily commute between my bedroom and my cubicle.

This project has changed me as a photographer. Digital photography's greatest advantage is in its opportunity to take large amounts of shots. Previously, when attending parties and events, I'd try to take as many shots as possible. The objective was to capture all parts of the event. Now, all I need is one good one. Like the cliche - quality over quantity. I like this new technique, as I no longer put myself in the role of the creepy guy who attempts to take candid pictures of you. I'm now just a creepy guy.


The biggest impact this project is how it gives each day a special significance. I realize this comes off as sentimental. But when looking down the line - at all the no-nothing days of waking up, going to work, and coming back home - this is huge. The routine is all encompassing - individual days are blurred together - weeks pass by - and I can end up thinking that the past couple months have been meaningless. Assigning something special to each individual day makes me appreciate the time that has past. A lot of us try to uphold to the "make each day count" ideal. Maybe this project works the other way - each day is counted for something. So when I look back, I'll remember those tiny moments I would have otherwise forgotten (very Ferris Bueller, I know). That day I made the T shirts. That day I went into Old town Herndon. That day I watched the kids ice skating.

So I'm off to a great start. The goal is to take a picture each day for an entire year. I know the hardest times are yet to come - when I just don't care any more. Hopefully, I won't run into these inspirational doldrums. Here's looking at October 11th, 2007.

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