So You Wanna Take Better Pictures?
You could pay hundreds of dollars to attend professional workshops.
You could buy cameras, lenses, and filters, oh my!
You could go to the library and check out books gallore that will get you in the know as far as certain settings and techniques are concerned.
You could read and watch tutorials, up the wazoo, on Youtube.
But, you will never take better pictures without practice.
That being said, there’s a super simple way that you can help develop your eye. It’s gonna take a little work and dedication, but –believe me– if I can do it, anyone can!
Here’s what you do:
- Get a camera (it doesn’t have to be anything fancy; a simple point-and-shoot will do.)
- Take pictures with said camera every day for a whole year.
- Share your “Project 365″ with friends and family (Flickr, Facebook, blog, what-have-you.)
- Develop your own eye and enjoy the growth you will experience through this simple project.
(Days 1-25 of my Project 365 Meets 2010)
* * * * *
I hear people say stuff like: I just can’t do it, or I tried and I failed, or It’s too much work.
Let me tell you: You can do it! If you tried and failed, dammit, try again! It’s not too much work!
CLICK. One. Click. A. Day.
If you are participating in a Project 365 this year, would you please let us know in the comment section? I’d love to see what you are capturing in this new decade of life, and will add you to the links below to share with all our lovely Aiming Low readers!
Secret Agent Mama’s Project 365 meets 2010 | My ‘07/08 Self Portrait 365 | 365 in 2010 by Maria |
- Aiming Low for Self Portraits
- BlogHer 09 in Just Under Four Minutes
- Aiming Low for Happy Accidents
- Typing that non-word pains me. It burns. BURNS.
- Yes, there will be a test
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Comments
Thanks for the encouragement! This is my first Project 365. I’m blogging my photos as well as posting them to the Flickr pool.
aimee´s last blog ..MMMMmoment…
@aimee, Thanks Aimee. Can’t wait to check it out!!
I’ve seen some Gorgeous 365s and these are stunning. I love love love #12 :)
kyooty´s last blog ..Friday Fill-ins February seems to get Shorter
@kyooty, Thanks, dear!
Twitter: Assertagirl
I’m not doing Project 365 but I’ve been trying to take a picture of Nate every day this year. I’ve only missed a few!
Assertagirl´s last blog ..Baby’s first deli.
@Assertagirl, I’m gonna start hounding you to put it somewhere so we can watch him grow!
Twitter: Sarahinmi
This is my second year of a 365 project — I keep mine 3 places – On Flickr, Facebook and on a blog (with a LOT of other women — I am SarahTwo: envisage365.blogspot.com) — the direct link to my Flickr set of this year’s 365 is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22146072@N02/sets/72157622210619890/
I’m getting ready to kick off a second 365 — meant to start February 1, so I’ll have to see how many self pics I took in Nashville! – of a picture of myself each day – not necessarily my face — maybe it’s my hands, my feet, shoes, whatever. If I skipped any days of taking my own picture, I’ll probably start March 1.
@@SarahInMI, I think you should. YOU have the EYE. And your eyes are pretty, too, and I would love to see them in a bunch of self portraits. You know, because we don’t live in the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.
Hey Mishelle! The $40 I spent on your photography workshop at Blissdom? Totally worth it ;) I started my first ever 365 project this year. While I can’t say I’ve notice a big change in the quality of my pictures yet, I can say that it’s opened up a new awareness in the things around me. I feel like my eyes are open in a whole new way to everything around me. I take my camera with me everywhere now (a new habit for me), and I’m always keeping an eye out for something to capture. I also took the opportunity to learn a new blogging platform (Typepad’s microblog), and I’m posting my pictures there at Project 3(six)5: http://www.justlikethenumber.com/3six5/
Thanks for all your hard work at Blissdom! Always in awe of your work!
Angie (@katydid6)
Angie @ Just Like The Number´s last blog ..Day 35: Harry Connick, Jr. Live
@Angie @ Just Like The Number, Angie, thank you so much for the feedback. I loved our workshop and look forward to doing more in that area at conferences all around the USA (maybe even Canada, eh?)
I will be linking everyone and visiting, too! xo
This is a great idea! I am starting today…here is my flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calhml/
Thanks
@Ciara L, WOOHOO!! That’s what I like to see.
I’m sharing my pics on my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenbshaw/sets/72157623117573510/ and at my blog through my weekly winners posts http://www.sarcasminaskirt.com
Twitter: thecaffeinatrix
What IS the weekly winners thing? You splain to me?
IzzyMom´s last blog ..The One Where I Inadvertently Insult Monster Truck Fans
@IzzyMom, Janet: @sarcasticmomLC at iamlot.us does a thing every Sunday where she posts her fave/best pics from the week. There’s a Mr. Linky and a bunch of us partake. I’ve been doing it for a couple years now, I believe.
@jenbshaw, I’m thrilled, Jen. Love your images!
I’m posting my Project 365 at http://angelplaysfl.blogspot.com (which feeds to Twitter and Facebook) and on Picasa at http://picasaweb.google.com/Amanda.Granner/365PhotoProject#
I’ve really enjoyed this so far. I think your advice to shoot everyday is absolutely right. I bought a nicer camera (Canon PowerShot SX20 IS) with some gift money which is a dream to use and I also carry my small point and shoot with me everywhere. If the battery in that dies, there is always the camera phone in the right light.
Amanda G.´s last blog ..Photo 38
I’m doing Project 365 this year and am having a great time with it! http://365-days-with-babs.blogspot.com/
I find the easiest way to keep me honest is by doing daily blog updates with the day’s pic.
Babs´s last blog ..40 – Scavenger
@Babs, That is MOST. EXCELLENT.
I’m doing the Project 365 in 2010. My photos are my Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toothwhale/. Also — Mishelle — I really enjoyed meeting you at BlissDom. You have such a warmth about you!
Rebecca at Toothwhale´s last blog ..Project 365: Week 5
@Rebecca at Toothwhale, I’ll be friending you for sure. Thank you for your kind words, too. I love. And it shows.
Twitter: juliewilmes
Thanks for the great advice! I will be starting a Project 265 today! My flickr stream is http://www.flickr.com/juliewilmes, also they will be up on my site. What a great idea!
Twitter: juliewilmes
Bahaha, my bad Project 365*
Twitter: MBonn
@Julie, hahaha! Well you know, this is Aiming Low! :P
Melissa (Mbonn)´s last blog ..This is why I’m hot…or ya know, not.
@Julie, LOL LOL & I just love Melissa’s comment!!
But you are AWESOME.
I haven’t done a project 365, but it sounds like I need to. Maybe if got a new camera. Just kidding.
Jennifer´s last blog ..My family is accident prone
@Jennifer, I think you should do it with your cell phone cam if anything, at least. XO
Wow! This is so cool. I have never heard of this! I don’t need a fancy camera? I have been saving for one! Hmmm….
Tina´s last blog ..How a bull gets her child kicked out of preschool
@Tina, No fancy camera necessary. Any kind of camera will help you develop your art, your eye.
This is my very first year in participating in something like this.
I am doing Project Life this year which is very similar to Project365, it is a photo a day put into an album.
I am starting to struggle trying to get a different picture every day, but I have also already seen a change in the way I take a photograph and how I am “looking” for a photo to take every day instead of my pointing and shooting. I am getting down at different angles and taking things in from my children’s perspective.
I am having so much fun with it!
@Diane, I am SO glad to hear it. Your last line? That’s what it’s all about!
I’m doing a year in the life of our son, who we affectionately call Potato. I do at least one picture a day, sometimes more, but always accompanied by a story too.
365 Potatoes — http://potato365.blogspot.com.
Sarah Marshall´s last blog ..Tying Up Loose Ends
@Sarah Marshall, I love his nickname! Can’t wait to see!!
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
Twitter: MBonn
I missed some days in the beginning and I haven’t updated it in a few days but I’m doing it and doing well so far!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31606454@N04/sets/72157623061252957/
Melissa (Mbonn)´s last blog ..This is why I’m hot…or ya know, not.
@Melissa (Mbonn), That’s it! If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!
I started Project 365 this year (just heard about it). I find that I ONLY take pictures of my kids (really, my daughter is the only one that will let me) and I think my pics are getting boring. I need to start taking pics of….stuff…other stuff. I’m working on it. But I’m aiming low and it’s easiest to take pics of Reese.
Anyway, here’s my flickr account for the project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minderellal/sets/72157623004107857/
@Mindy, You just gotta keep pushing. It’s like anything, when you do it daily, you master it. Give yourself a theme, maybe? Like the alphabet. Each day for 26 days straight take a picture of something with the letter of the alphabet that corresponds. A-apple, B-ball, C-car, D-dog, etc…
Twitter: alimartell
me me me me! I’m doing it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alimartell/sets/72157623264248100/
and my pictures have totally gotten better and I’ve only been doing it for 18 days!
ali´s last blog ..I Guess I’m…A Bad Nut?
@ali, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE that you are doing this. I want to be in your P365 some day, k? At Zaxby’s!
Twitter: alimartell
@Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle, just say the word! I am always up for getting together!!!
ali´s last blog ..I Guess I’m…A Bad Nut?
Twitter: DesireeDenakis
I just love this idea. I’m going to start (not today) doing this because I just love this idea. I think it’s pretty darn cool and I love to take, look and share pictures. I will be using a blog as it seems the easiest. So if you want to check it out, feel free.
http://www.denakisland365.blogspot.com
@Desiree, I will add your link and definitely go back to see what you got going on!
Twitter: DesireeDenakis
So I lied and started today. Go figure.
Desiree´s last blog ..Kosher’s new home.
I so so wish I could have been at your workshop. SIGH.
Anyways, I’ve been loving my 365 project so far. It’s been fun to stretch my creativity. Here it is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissalynn12/sets/72157623119022238/
Miss´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Hide and Seek
@Miss, Maybe someday I will be doing one out your way? You never, ever know!
Thanks for the encouragement! I will start my project today!
Kisses from Brazil!
@_geodebs, When you start it, please come back and let me know!
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
Hi Mishelle,
Watching you work and play and be at Blissdom was one of the highlights for me. What an inspiration you are, in your photography and your attitude. I have been posting my 365 weekly at http://brigidday.com I am a week behind (hope to catch up tomorrow) due to getting my Bliss on, but I feel I have already learned so much just in these 5 weeks. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings. Love you!
Brigid´s last blog ..Leaving
@Brigid, I looooooooooooved seeing you and everytime I saw you, your expressions were so loving and genuine. I thank you for that.
Can’t wait to keep up with your 365. P.S. I get behind a lot, but I still make sure I shoot daily!
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
My Project 365 for this year is kind of a “hybrid” — my goal is to do SOMETHING creative every day, not necessarily just take a picture — but most everything is photos anyway. The stuff I have done so far can be found in my Project 365 photo set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockle/sets/72157623140996672/
Is there an “Aiming Low Project 365″ group? I’d be interested in joining if there is.
@rockle, Now that is awesome!!
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
It’s never one click for me. Always like 40 or 50.
I started the 365 project, but I hate HAVING to do something. I get busy and I forget and there’s pressure. It messes with my creativity.
You really have some great shots there, btw. Keep it up!
Finn´s last blog ..Diptych Five: Blue
@Finn, Oh yes, I know the 40-50! Thanks for the props.
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
I would love to join in on the project can you start 40 some odd days in? Also, do you actually up load the picture the same day you take it or 7 every 7 days? Am I making this harder than it should be? (yes)
@kelly, The last one I did was started in August. You can start any time you want!
Secret Agent Mama/Mishelle´s last blog ..Blissdom 365 Shots
love this! i agree it starts with actually taking pictures everyday. i carry my camera everywhere and sometimes i get lucky…er, capture an amazing shot, then i go home and get lucky!
anyway, last year i took on the project 365. here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventuresinjuggling/sets/72157612031251272/
it was fun. it was a challenge. it made me see things around me with a different eye and i can’t believe i actually did it.
i’m back on it this year here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventuresinjuggling/sets/72157622987964975/
Laura Scarborough´s last blog ..almost Wordless Wednesday: another reader
I just started my Project 365 this week. I can’t wait to see my skills improve!
http://justsaynotoicecream.blogspot.com/
I’ve been thinking about starting one and I just might. I already carry my camera with me everywhere. How hard would it be to just start taking pics?
uthostage´s last blog ..Nicknames from Hell
I agree whole-heartedly! I started my 365 project at the beginning of the year – it was #1 on my goal list for this year, and I haven’t missed a day yet *knock on wood-type substance*. I am doing mine via blipfoto, which I love because 1) it doesn’t let you cheat and 2) I get a lot of support from the rest of the community there, and I can see all the other blippers’ photos for inspiration/motivation. And now I can look forward to following a few more of you folks in your 365 journey :)
Twitter: DExtraordinaire
carrying your camera around with you is a must. I agree that taking lots of photos will help you lots, also carry around the manual to your camera. I bet your camera does some amazing things you didn’t even know were possible. There is always down time (waiting in pick up line, at the grocery store, doctor’s visits) to read your manual and play around.
Also ignore those who are staring at you…its totally because of your hawtness!
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