Project 365: Reflections

I started Project 365 on a whim. I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions, but this seemed like a fun and manageable goal, rather than an edict to reform my life. I was so blasé about the whole thing in the beginning that my boyfriend had to remind me to take a photo on the first day of the year. But I finally gained momentum and 365 became routine.

Eventually, I got so involved that I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, terrified that I’d forgotten to take a photograph for the day. Before I could get back to sleep I had to scroll back in my mind (or camera) to confirm that I’d actually taken a photo.

365 came at the perfect time because 2010 was one of my toughest years to date. I started 2010 on a high note: I graduated from culinary school in January. From there on, it was a year of trials and errors. I worked in a restaurant, a bakery, and in retail. I got incredibly sick in March. I was unemployed for weeks at a time. I interviewed for 5+ jobs, but got no offers. But through all that, 365 was a constant.

As much as I fumbled through 2010, I always had 365. It kept me grounded. It really got me through the year.

My dedication to the project went up and down, which is clearly apparent in the quality of my photos. There were stretches in February (when I was very unhappy working at the restaurant) where I took five iPhone photos in a row. Conversely, traveling was one of the highlights of my year and the photographs I took away from home are some my favorites. But no matter the circumstances, I always got it done.

Project 365 made me a better photographer. I grew technically and creatively this year. It forced me to learn. My proudest accomplishment of 2010? Successfully completing Project 365.

And, because I love stats and lists, here’s an unofficial breakdown of the photographs I took this year:

6% cats

32% food

7% people

5% when there was snow on the ground

21% traveling (counts days in transit + days away from home)

13% iPhone photos

13% taken at restaurants

18% at night (after the sun went down)

9% taken before noon

38% taken at home

6% holiday-related (birthdays, national holidays, and the holiday season)

.5% taken with flash