Sometime in 2015 I had the thought “Gee, it would be fun to try a daily photo project in 2016!” Then I had the good sense to realize that maybe I should try it for a shorter period of time before committing to a 365 day long creative project. So I decided to try it out in the month of December: 31 photos in 31 days. Every day.
It was humbling. And fun. And challenging. There are a lot of photos that aren’t great. Some are rather bad. But I loved the experience of waking up each day with a commitment to look closely at everything I interacted with each day and find something interesting. I’m not sure I’d commit to a 365 daily photo project right now, but I’m glad I did it in December. I think I might make it a December tradition: it’s a great way to slow down a bit during the holidays and appreciate the season.
One of the lessons of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is that you don’t need to feel like you should do something with the results of your creative endeavors. You don’t have to want to publish a book to find value from personal writing. You don’t have to show anyone your art if you want to paint. I pondered whether or not I wanted to share my 31 photos from December (a few I posted on Instagram, but the majority were not posted), but I decided to share them. They’re not amazing, and some days you can see my struggle to capture something of interest (hello cabbage photo, I’m talking to you). But the project pushed me out of my comfort zone and got me to look harder at the world around me. If posting about this encourages others try their own version of this creative exercise, I’d be pleased.
The 31 Photos
I decided on black & white photos early on, a choice I’m not sure I’d make again but I went with it this time. They were all taken on an iPhone 6s. Without further delay, here they are!
Wow–these are wonderful! As I looked through them, I kept thinking, “This one’s my favorite… No, this one’s my favorite! No, this one!” I guess the one of the Christmas ornament on the tree will be my favorite because it has you in it. So beautiful and interesting how the monotone values bring out the texture–flakey biscuits, pokey pine needles, squirrel tail, leaf-strewn cement, nubbly pecan pie, rumply bacon, smooth chrome and glass and coffee mugs, tin ceilings… I also love what the bright lights at night do. All of them are both timeless and immediate–I hope you keep doing and sharing the photo-a-day series!
Thank you! Some days I was sad to be limiting myself to black and white (like the car photo – that car was a beautiful baby blue!) but in general I think it helped the project. I’m not sure how often I’ll do the photo a day – I originally thought just in December, but now I think it’d be fun to do in the summer too. Maybe my tradition will be July and December!
I have been trying to take 365 pictures and because it is winter and I don’t necessarily get out much… I so far have lots of pictures of cats and dogs. Your month of December looks great!
It’s difficult! I would be having a much harder time in January than I did in December – at least in December I had a lot of holiday events to get me out of the house! :D
I wish I could “like” Ruth’s response, because it’s perfect. I love all of these, yes, even the cabbage, and think they are fantastic in black and white. I’ve often thought about trying the photo-a-day bit and it does seem daunting. I feel like my life just ain’t that exciting. If/when you do this again I’d love to do it along with you and maybe that would help give me a push. A photobug from waaay back (came *thisclose* to opening a pet photog business), I kinda put the camera away when one of my dogs died several years back and haven’t got my mojo back. You help inspire that spark again, so thank you.
Thank you Lauren for such kind thoughts. I will definitely let you know when I do it again – it’d be fun to host it as a little blogger activity for anyone who wants to join in. Maybe I’ll try it in June or July – summer would be a good time I think – I get out a little more! And anything to get you back to feeling inspired with photography again would be wonderful – I love your photos on Instagram, and I think Bird would be happy to continue to be a subject. :)
I think hosting a photo month is a great idea!
Excellent!! Your photos captured a lot of the essence of “place” to where you live… Great idea!! Very inspiring.. I enjoy your blog as I get a chance to read it. Thank you for sharing…
Thank you Nancy! I hope to do this again in the summer, and I’m so glad to hear that people enjoyed seeing the results! :D
What a great project! I love your pictures and admire your dedication to the project. I tried a picture a day project for a while and I ended up deciding I needed to do more interesting things with my life if I was going to have pictures to take every day, haha.
Hahah thank you! I’m going to host a picture a day project sometime this summer, I hope you’ll consider joining in! It would be so fun to see what we all come up with to capture every day. I’m thinking summer will make it a little easier, for me it’s at least a bit easier to be motivated to leave the house when it’s warm! :D
A great project and the results are really good! Even your cabbages is better than anything I’d manage. A photographer I am not so I really admired all your efforts!
Thank you so much Stefanie! I’m pretty sure I’m going to host a photo a day project in the summer sometime, if you want to ponder participating! I think it’s fun for photographers & non-photographers alike – even if you don’t consider yourself great at taking photos, it can really help you see & notice the world around you in new ways! :)
I will think about it!
I feel like I just walked through your month with you! :) Thanks for sharing. I can never get enough of baked goods and squirrels.
Baked goods and Squirrels are the foundation of a happy life, I think. (Not combined, though.)
Thank you! :D
I like that you made them black and white. It makes me think the animals in the shots aren’t real sometimes. I thought the dog and the squirrel were a statues and that peeping pigeon seemed like a ghost. Black and white photos make me think the weirdest things. I love that shot of The Invisible Dog Glass House. I assume that those are sculptures inside but they seem to be in movement to me and makes me think of the wind.