A Picture a Day?

[Mike Farley]

There is an interesting article on the Wex blog for anyone whose New Year resolution is to take a picture every day throughout 2013. It includes some tips about what to do when the inevitable happens and inspiration is nowhere to be found.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/blog/the-365-photography-project

[Rose]

I did a picture a day (PAD) every day for 3 years. It's a great way to improve your photography, the discipline of having to find something to shoot each day helps you learn how to see things differently. And you don't need fancy equipment to do it either. Most of my PAD was taken with my "handbag camera" - a Panasonic Lumix. And I have a friend who did a whole year's PAD using just his iPhone.

[Mike Farley]

I agree that some form of compact camera or even a cameraphone is likely to be necessary for a PAD project. Much as I like the versatility offered by by my DSLR, its size means that it often gets left at home in favour of something smaller and lighter. Even with just a single lens, the bulk means that it is not always particularly convenient to carry and once additional lenses are included then the camera bag really starts to pile on the weight. If anyone is thinking about buying a new camera in the January sales, then a PAD could be the perfect excuse. Should the project itself not last much beyond the initial enthusiasm of flashing the credit card, you will still have the equipment!

I also agree that a PAD is a good way to encourage oneself to think beyond the comfort zone to explore new subjects and different forms of photography. The images themselves do not all have to be masterpieces, just the discipline of getting out the camera every day will be enough to stimulate creativity. That said, if anyone does start a PAD and wants to show us their images, the forum is the perfect place to do it.

[Rose]

I might think about starting a new PAD I do miss the discipline of taking something each day as I'm not getting out and about with my camera nearly as much as I'd like.

[davidc]

I've been planning my own PAD, or Project 365, for a good few months now too! I think having others around doing something similar will be very useful as we'll be able to feed off/inspire each other.
For at least the last six months now I've taken a black notebook wherever I've gone and filled it with ideas for photos knowing that I'll need inspiration and photos I can "easily" take indoors to keep things going.

I'll start a new thread here to keep track of progress, otherwise you can follow it here - http://500px.com/davidcandlish, here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/cedarsphoto or here - http://davidcandlish.co.uk/

And finally... I think I'll be requesting feedback from everyone as to ideas/themes/projects to keep things ticking along, audience participation is a requirement

[Mike Farley]

My decision to do a 365 PAD was largely spur of the moment, so there has been very little preparation. I have a few ideas and so far have always had a plan for the following day's photo. That's hardly impressive, though, given that I am only on day 3 at present.

I have got an environmental portrait lined up and I think that the location will yield at least two more shots. I also had a reconnoitre today and had some further ideas.

I have outlined my approach in my profile at 365project.org - http://365project.org/pictor/profile - and I included some other information in my comments for my first photograph which is in the Photo Sharing section on this forum.

http://forums.croydoncameraclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=165#p787

[davidc]

Aha forgot completely about 365project.org I need to start posting there too. An early benefit of others doing a similar project!

[Mike Farley]

The site is well thought out and it seems to have a supportive community which is interested in taking photographs (as opposed to concentrating on gear) without the backbiting and trolling that can occur on other forums. I'm not really into the social media scene, but I can see that I could end up getting a bit more involved there.

Let me know when you're set up and I'll follow you.