the first day

In Brazil, where I was born,  we have several New Year traditions that are followed by pretty much everyone in the country. On New Year's Eve we all dress in white for good luck, peace, purity, a clean slate and the possibility to start anew.  Then, just before midnight, we all gather somewhere along the four thousand miles of the Atlantic coastline, jump seven waves, throw flowers into the sea, light candles, make wishes and say prayers. This custom comes from the mix of African and Indian cultures developed in Brazil.  The belief is that Yemanja, the queen of the ocean and the feminine principle of creation, will bring us good luck and make all our wishes come true.

While that is my favorite way to close one year and start another, I was happy to enter 2010 by jumping seven waves and walking along Ocean beach in San Francisco with my husband. The scenery was misty, hazy and somewhat mysterious. The fluffy foam on the sand looked like heavenly clouds, reminding me once again that right here, in the first day of a year's journey, where the earth meets the sky, anything is possible.

I'm curious to know... Do you and your family have any New Year traditions? And are you in for the 365 project? What did your first day of the year look like?

confessions of a 365 dropout

141/365 141 - SOOC

I hate to even have to say it outloud, or in writing, but it dawned on me the other day;

I have failed in my efforts to keep up with the 365 project.  Heavy sigh.

It's certainly not the biggest deal in the world. I can begin again at any time and kind of pick up where I left off (I guess) but there was just something magical about starting on Jan 1 and actually thinking I would/could stick with something every single day for an entire year. I did manage to make it for something like 141 days. I think that's fairly impressive.

Regardless of the fact that I'm officially throwing in the towel on the project this year, I learned a few things along the way that might help those of you who are still committed and diligent in your photographic efforts (I wholeheartedly applaud you btw).

Here's my follow up to Stephanie's original post offering her tips on sticking with it.

1. Keep a 365 idea notebook handy. Anytime you drive by something that catches your eye, jot down the location so you can't revisit on a day when you have time to snap off a few pictures. Anytime you have a fleeting thought about something you've been wanting to capture in a photograph, write that down. When you're feeling uninspired and out of ideas, use the lists in your notebook as guides.

2. Keep an eye on your battery. Make sure it's charged (plug it in before bed) and have back-ups handy.

3. Take your camera to social functions. It's fun to round out a collection of still-lifes with some pix of friends and family.

4. Try to shoot at least one shot each morning. I know this was on Steph's list but for 141 days, it was my mantra.

5. Don't wait for perfection. As Kate recently urged, 'do not wait for perfect light'. Just shoot!

6. Plan regular photo walks or field trips for yourself. Go alone or with friends.

6. Shoot from the hip. Literally. Sometimes the less invested we are in getting the shot, the more likely we are to capture delightful surprises.

7. Pick up a few extra memory cards to carry with you so you never end up with a full card when you're out and about.

8. Give yourself permission to shoot the same subject over and over again. If there is something your are drawn to shoot, then try capturing it differently on different days. Be inventive and the repetition of subject matter becomes interesting, not boring.

9.Get involved in shooting for regular photo features around the internet, like the One Word Project, Best Shot Monday and Love Thursday.

10. Never underestimate the power and beauty of your SOOC shots. Why spend time editing the shots that don't need to be edited. Use the 365 project as the practice to get your shots right the first time! Less editing time means the less time the 365 project takes each day and it leaves more time to shoot.

One thing I was reminded of as I played along this year was that paying attention to the details of my daily life, camera in hand, was totally therapeutic for me. I had no agenda but to shoot and there were many times I was blissfully lost in shooting. It was amazing and enlightening.

If you started on Jan 1 this year then today is day 167 for you. Almost half way home. Surely you have some ideas for us on how you keep it up. Anything that keeps you shooting like the prolific shutter sisters that you are would be helpful. Links to your favorite captures always welcome.

Pure Magic

Over the last few weeks I, like many of you have been shooting more than ever just to keep up with my 365 attempt and now, the One Word Project. And although it’s taken some adjusting to eek out time from my maxed out daily routine, I am finding the extra moments I am spending with my camera soulfully gratifying and creatively invigorating.

Shooting everyday helps keeps me accountable while visually translating my word opens my mind and pleasantly challenges me to keep focused on my intentions. The trouble is that now I’ve got all these photos to deal with. Uploading, processing, exporting, and more uploading can stifle anyone’s photo flow. I can feel a collective nod as I type these words.

I don’t have any grand answer to making these many steps any less daunting but I can tell you that if you can figure out a way to make them more efficient (or non-existent even) you’re onto something.

Enter the Straight Out Of the Camera concept (aka SOOC).

Remember the old days when you got what you got and there was no easy way to change it? It’s kinda like that. And although I wouldn’t give up my editing software to safe my life, I am rediscovering my appreciation for an image just the way it was captured. No enhancement. No manipulation. No nothing. Just you, your camera, and the subject at hand. And if all goes well some magic.

If I told you that getting back to the SOOC way of shooting is totally liberating, would you believe me? Are you willing to give it a go? If for no other reason but to take some of that editing time off of your plate? I’m not suggesting switching over completely. I love Lightroom too much for that. But perhaps just putting that little extra something into each shot...giving yourself a chance to love what you are creating as it happens, straight out of the camera.

Do share a favorite SOOC today and remind us of that kind of magic.

Mornings and Magic

It’s been less than a month and already my attempt at the 365 Days project is changing the way I do things; the way I look at life. As I mentioned before, clicking a few photos each and every morning has helped a great deal. Thank you for the tip Stephanie. The strategy is to get the pictures on the camera before the day escapes me and I have to resort to taking photos of me brushing my teeth before bed or some such less-than-ideal scenario. It has been helpful in that way for sure, but what I am finding is that there’s more to it than that.

Working photography into the start of my day has been totally enjoyable. Just when I thought that my camera couldn’t be any more integrated into my daily life, shooting first thing in the morning has taken it to a whole new level. It felt a little contrived at first. But, after a few weeks I can say that it’s becoming a seamless part of the routine; a daily practice if you will. It feels great to do it. And of all things, it feels important. I am likening the exercise of capturing my 'morning shots’ to what Julia Cameron calls the ‘morning pages’ in her book The Artist’s Way. Maybe there is more to it than just shooting for the project and getting it out of the way. What if looking at things through our lens at the start of the day clears out the cobwebs of our creative psyche and elevates us to a more enlightened state without us even realizing it? Could it be that simple? I don't know for sure but I never underestimate the power of photography.

Share with us your favorite morning shots. Have you discovered any magic in the early hours?

Camera Girl

The big 365 project reveal yesterday surprised and delighted me—how many people have or are currently participating in a project that will challenge and push them creatively for an entire year. And, by the way, I had no idea that for one Stephanie was sharing that post and two, that so many of you (of us) are willing to make such a commitment. Such a pleasant synchronicity.

So, it must be universal; the feeling that we need to keep ourselves accountable to hold own feet to the fire so that we do something inspiring and meaningful. Something for ourselves.

And I am well aware that there are many of you who have chosen to do this kind of project with a friend. A shutter sister. It makes sense. Why do it alone? The sisterhood is what helps us grow and thrive and not only keeps us accountable, but keeps us inspired. It’s brilliant.

Recently I discovered Amy and Madeline’s project at When You Give a Girl a Camera and I love it. Who wasn’t smitten by this beautiful series of Amy’s daughter Mad and her vintage camera when it hit out Flickr pool? It resonated with me. The banner photo for this very blog is my own daughter gently cradling the same camera.

I have been an advocate for giving a girl a camera ever since I had my first daughter. She’s been shooting pictures since she was 18 months old. And now, she’s 11. And quite the little shutter sister. And she shoots now, because she loves it. It’s one of her passions and it’s thrilling for me.

The idea of working together on a project, shooting side by side, bringing two unique images from two different perspectives to create something meaningful between my daughter and myself makes my heart sing. We will be participating in When You Give a Girl a Camera every chance we get. I am excited to have another mother/daughter duet to encourage us to click.

I hope to see you over there too sometimes. I can’t think of a better way to spend time with someone I love.