365 photos in 365 days

When I started my 365, I had vague ideas of improving my photographic skills. If I had to look for an interesting photo each day, was my logic, eventually that hunt would become a matter of course.

It turns out that taking a photo is just part of a 365 journey. When you set out to translate your life into a picture, you begin to focus on what parts of each day make it into the frame.

Mere moments become memories. The passing of each day creates a bigger picture. But there is more to it than that. This taking a picture of your life can be more about looking out than in.

Some people attack a 365 in a solitary manner. I prefer the social approach. Back in 2011, I started my journey by joining a Flickr group of more than 800 people. Each day as I share my life, I also found people who wanted to share theirs.

There was the businessman in Canada who documented with dignity the passing of his mother.

There was the woman in Michigan who took photos even on those days when she dealt with trauma of yet another miscarriage.

Then there was the man in England who used the project to tackle, and conquer, his battle with anxiety.

There is a bunch of us, a gang formed back in 2011, who continue to share our photos each day and our lives along with it.

There have been moments of happiness, moments of sadness and many moments that were, well, ordinary. Along the way, photos were shared and friendships were formed.

Some of the pictures were special. So were some of the connections. About a quarter of us who started that 365 project in 2011 made it to the end. A year, it turns out, is a very long time.

But many of us who did make it to finish line are back for one more time.

Taking a picture a day seems like an easy task. Bring out your camera, point and shoot. And some days it is easy. Some days you go interesting places and see interesting things.

Other days it all same old, same old. You take the same route to work, sit at the same desk and travel home in the very same way. Some days you take pictures you are proud of, other days you take pictures that are just about staying in the game.

There are people who like to predict the year ahead. I have no idea what 2013 will bring us, all I know is whatever it brings I’ll be ready to capture with the camera in my iPhone 5.

This will be a year I look forward to a new challenge. It’s a challenge that, when it’s over, will let me put the year in perspective, one frame at a time.

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