My Current 366 Project

“With each new project, we are challenging ourselves to most beautifully reflect what’s living in us at that particular window of time.”
-Rick Rubin

For many years, I have worked on at least one personal photography project at a time. Currently, I have three projects on which I am focusing my time. Although two have been ongoing for months, even years, it is the most recent one I am sharing today.

I learned about 365 projects years ago while participating in an incredible learning community named the Arcanum. During that time, I was introduced to the work of a very talented and creative fellow photographer named

Scott Norris. He created a picture each day and posted that picture on social media. He had some very creative images within the group that year. I see from his website that he also completed another 365 project more recently.

Then, several years ago, my friend and teacher, Kevin Adams, completed a 365 project in which he created all photographs at night. I loved watching his creative journey as he worked to create a new image each day with the added constraint of his images, all, in some way, being night photography. He offers a 630-page eBook titled 365 Nights: A Yearlong IMMERSION Into Night Photography on his website. In the Ebook, Kevin describes the making of the images and the impact of completing the project. I loved following Kevin’s journey and enjoyed how he stretched his creativity each evening.

I have attempted a 365 project once before, but I let life get in the way. THIS IS MY YEAR! But, I will not be completing a 365 project but rather a 366 project, as this is a Leap Year. I started my project on January 1 and wanted to get it well underway before releasing any of the images. I also know from completing projects, that they often lead you in directions you never realized when beginning the journey.

While working on the Holidays at My House project in December (you can find that video here), I was reminded how much I enjoy compositing. I decided that my 366 project would consist of combining images. The only guideline I gave myself is that each image created needs to consist of more than one photograph or version of one photograph. I thought about times I would be traveling. I decided that the combination could happen using images on the computer or blended in the camera if getting to the computer is too difficult. Other than that, there are no “rules”. Additionally, all “rules” are subject to change as the project takes me where it wants to go.  I wanted this time to be spent playing as a child plays: experimenting, making mistakes, getting my hands dirty, learning by doing.

As I write this, I am days from the end of the first month. I have so enjoyed working on this project. Some images contain pieces of my heart, but many are simply a journey of exploration.

I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the images I created this month.

Earlier in the month, I went to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden on a scouting trip for my upcoming Creative Zoo Photography Workshop. (You can find out more about that workshop here.) The zoo was decorated for the winter holidays.

Immediately when I entered the zoo, I saw a large, pink, soft sculpture for the light exhibit. I spent quite some time photographing it and the light streaming through it in different ways. Once home, I loaded all of these images on my computer, selected some of the pictures to blend, and experimented using Photoshop until I made what I envisioned from the photographs. It was great fun!

As I mentioned, some of these creations have special meanings. On the year anniversary of my dear friend Chris’ passing, I selected many photographs I took while with him and a picture of him photographing and made this composite. It was a wonderful way to spend time honoring our years of friendship.

On my computer, I make a folder for each day. I keep a Photoshop file, with all layers intact, for each day’s creation. The folders also contain each of the images used to make the image for that day. I will be able to go back to any day and see exactly what I did to create the final image.

Other than the two above, here are some of my favorite creations from the first month of my 366 project.

I have already learned so much by doing this project. I love exploration and cannot wait to see where this project leads me and my work.

I am looking forward to seeing where this project leads me.

I would love to hear what projects are keeping you busy this winter!