D-365 The end of a 2 year project

I am relieved and yet I have so many unanswered issues. I had planned on presenting my new blog and website today. That hasn't happened. I don't like change and although I've been unhappy, on a business stand point, with my website and my blog I've dragged my feet. Dreading making the wrong choice. I have switched over to Smugmug for my Photography Website but it won't be operational until the end of the month. Since I don't have that up and running I have a little more time on deciding what blog to use. It's between Wordpress and Typepad. I've heard positives and negatives about both. So, for the rest of this month, I'll be on this blog. I'll keep you posted.

I am not committing to doing another 365 day project, but I will probably post frequently. Scott Bourne says we should shoot every day, maybe even several times a day. It's the only way to be a better photographer. I intend on continuing the tradition.

Although this is my second year posting an image a day, the last year I've seen the largest learning curve. I've improved immensely and I attribute that to Tasra Mars Blog/Challenge.This was my article in September 2010

It all started about 3 years ago when I wanted a nice camera to take “better” pictures for my scrapbooking hobby, so my husband gave me a Nikon D-80 for Christmas. I shot in Auto Mode for the first year. One year later, I purchased a used Nikon D-300. I started a picture a day project/blog about a year and a half ago, with a group of photographers of all skill levels.
For the first year, I literally just took pictures. I had no direction, no guide and no plan. Pictures of everything and anything would make an appearance in my blog, once I even included my laundry. Most of these images were not very creative, just point and shoot, but I worked on learning something about photography every day.

On February 14, 2010 I came across Tasra Mar’s Blog in which she says that our photography will improve by 300% if we:

1.Take at least one picture a day.
2.Read at least 1 page in the camera manual
3.View other professional images every day.
That day I signed on – I took the challenge. Six and a half months later I have completely read the users manual for the D-300 and I have followed her recommendation to become a better photographer. I have also taken on a daily challenge (The Daily Shoot) in which they give you a guide line for your picture of the day. My learning curve has tripled in the last six months.

These are a few of the things I’ve learned in my photographic journey:

■We all need a little help along the way and it’s o.k. to ask when you are stuck, there are people willing to help.
■Challenges are good for growth, it makes you think outside of the box.
■I can study other people’s work, outside of a classroom setting, and find out what it is I like about it, then “lift” my own style and include what I have learned from it in my own work.
■The camera is only as good as the person holding it.
■It helps me grow faster when I share what I’ve learned.
■I have to have tough skin, if I want to continue on this journey.
■It will all pay off in the end…
I’m reading the book Vision Mongers by David duChemin and he puts into words what it feels like in my life every day.

It’s the calling, the passion, the vision. It makes me pick up my camera every single day, sometimes several times a day. It makes me look at objects/people and wonder how I can shoot it creatively. I do it because I cannot “not” do it. It may not always be my best but it’s my best for that day.

So I will continue to pick up the camera every single day, I will continue to take pictures because I cannot “not” do it. I no longer shoot in Auto mode and I see the world in a “different” light. I see colors, shapes, light and shadows. I see details. I have a greater appreciation for the world around me. I have found my passion and my drive.

I don't think I know how "not to take a picture" everyday.
My grandiose idea for my 365th post (2010) was a sunrise. What can be better than that on 1/01/11? We went to the freezing beach at 6:00 am, on our day off, and there was not sunrises to be had.



above the moon - it could be Venus. I thought it was a star but further research said that it was Venus. Who am I to argue.

I've been long winded today - so obviously not a goodbye - at least not yet.