A photo each day for a whole year: Project 366
(you know it’s a leap year, right?)
I joined the Facebook photographic community almost exactly one year ago. I’ve ‘virtually’ met so many wonderful people in that time; I’ve opened my eyes to admire and support the talents of many more; and I’ve watch those talents grow and evolve. Following the work of some amazingly talented artists, I’ve heard it so many times:
“…doing a 365 has helped me grow…”
“…I learned so much doing a 365…”
“…I’m a different photographer now, thanks to my 365”
“my 365 photo journal is my most precious keepsake…”
“…just do it, you’ll see the benefits!”
But for me, the prospect of a whole year, taking a photo every single day…. that was (and still is) absolutely terrifying: ‘I don’t have the talent these other photographers have to grow in the way they have; what if I have days where I don’t like any of my images?; what if I’m so busy I forget to take a picture?; what if I fail?!’
it is time to stop fearing failure
In September 2015 I began the Freelensed Fall Project with some fellow photograhers: a freelensed photo every day for two months. I told myself if I succeeded I would use it as the start of a Project 365. And I did succeed. And after that, I documented the daily adventures of Estelar the Elf. And so I started 2016 with three months of a project already completed, and yet I still didn’t have any public accountability. Because admitting that I had started the project opened up the possibility of failure. I feared failure.
As we moved into the new year, I made a resolution: 2016 is going to be my year to grow (photographically speaking, not my waistline…), to push myself, to find my style and my direction. I am going to work really really hard. Therefore it is time I made myself accountable.
my name is Ceri Herd and I am doing a Project 366
In the first few weeks of 2016 I can already see improvements, I’m thinking more creatively, I’m finding inspiration everywhere. So failure isn’t a possibility. Whether I make it to September (or dare I say it, the end of the year so I can make a complete 2016 book) or not, I have already succeeded.
Matching feet | 117/366
