12/18/09
Recent participation in some photography forums has piqued an interest in doing a Project 365. Photography has been a hobby on and off for over 40 years and in the last 18 months my interest has intensified. So I've decided to jump in, give it a shot (no pun intended) and see if I can shoot every day for a year.

My expectations for this project are that it will provide motivation to expand my skills both behind the camera and in post-processing and provide a vehicle for experimentation. My photog pal Doug has been a great mentor, so I want to publicly say thanks; this is your fault (kidding of course).

It is going to be a learning experience, so any and all comments, critiques and encouraging words are welcome.

Thanks for viewing.

Jeff

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Project 365 Book Published

Friends:

I have just completed the book Project 365 - A Photo a Day for a Year - 2010 and have published it on Blurb.  See below for a preview and, if interested, ordering information.  Thanks.

Jeff


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Project52 is Coming Soon



While Project 365 has come to an end, Project52 is just beginning. I've set-up a separate blog site and would love you to subscribe and follow as you've so faithfully done on P365.

To subscribe, click this link to get to the site and then click the email subscription link on the upper right (see red arrow above). Follow instructions and all new posts will be delivered to your email.

Planning to start shooting again for P52 on January 1st, so subscribe now.

In the meantime, I've been doing a little shooting and posting to a Flickr photostream at:
Check out that site for some interesting shots.

Happy Holidays to all and thank you.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

I Can't Believe It's a Year

12/18/10 - Day 365

Relief. Accomplishment. Emptiness. Pride. Grateful.

These are some of the feelings I am experiencing today as I conclude Project 365.

Relief:  The intensity of this undertaking was beyond what I had expected.  When I committed to do this project and gained a following, it was important to me to not only shoot every day, but also post every day.  With the exception of a handful of days, I did that.  But there were many evenings when the pressure was on and sacrifices were made to get this done.  So after today, at least for a while, that pressure will be relieved and I can engage in some additional activities otherwise forgone.

Accomplishment:  I feel a sense of accomplishment having achieved my objectives for Project 365.  I see things differently and am more creative behind the camera and in the digital darkroom than 365 days ago.  I also realize there is still a long way to go reach the level of work by those I admire.

Emptiness:  As I write this, there is a sense of emptiness in the pit of my stomach as this project has occupied a portion of every single day for a year.  I'm pretty sure it won't last long, but it is here today.

Pride:  I'm proud of the body of work I created this past year and look forward to publishing it for friends and family who have traveled the path with me.  No doubt in my mind that I'm a better photographer now than 365 days ago.

Grateful:  Most importantly, I am grateful for the support I received along the way from friends, family and complete strangers.  From 50 email followers that received the photo every morning to new friends I've met via Flickr, Daily Shoot & MacroMondays, from strangers happening onto the blog to new friends I met on the train because of photography (Doug first, then Frank) - each of you have provided the ingredients of inspiration, ideas, knowledge and camaraderie. And for that, I offer my profound thanks.  And a special thanks goes to Mrs. Wonderful, Lin, for putting up with my obsession.

So what's next?  Giving up photography is not an option.  I'm planning a two week "breather" which means I'll probably shoot & post informally and then launch into a Project52, shooting at least one shot a week (probably more) for a year.  Not sure of the format yet but stay tuned.  Once set-up, I'll provide a link from this site and those that wish to can register for automatic email delivery.  I’ll also have more time to follow the photostreams of my new and very talented Flickr friends.

Hope to see you all on the next leg of this photographic journey. Best wishes for Happy Holidays and a great New Year.

Jeff

Friday, December 17, 2010

Flickstackr

12/17/10 - Day 364
Taken for today's Daily Shoot #397: "Squares and grids surround us in our built environment. Focus in on some squares today and make a photograph."

Pretty good timing for showing a collection of shots taken for my Project 365, which ends tomorrow.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Perforations

12/16/10 - Day 363
Could not help but notice the repeating patterns of these chairback perforations while sitting in my San Diego office conference room.  Shot for today's Daily Shoot #396: "Find a repeating pattern today and make a photograph of it."  You need to step back from this shot to really see the pattern.

JetYellow

12/15/10 - Day 362
Shot for today's Daily Shoot assignment #395: "Yellow is great at grabbing attention. Make a photograph today where the primary subject is yellow in color."  Taken on a flight from San Francisco to Long Beach.  Pretty lame submission, but it's late and I'm tired.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Four Points

12/14/10 - Day 361
SymmetriCam shot of the iconic Transamerica Tower in San Francisco. Taken at 10:30pm on Tuesday night...running out of time for the day's shot.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Pair

12/13/10 - Day 360
Shot for today's Daily Shoot #393: "Make a photo of a pair of subjects today. People or inanimate objects are both fair game!"

Pair of pears...obvious choice. Improvised again with hotel room lighting.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Are You In?

12/12/10 - Day 359
Today's Daily Shoot #392 is: "Sunday challenge! Timing can make or break a photograph. Make a photograph today that has to be timed just right to work."

Since it is near the holidays, the timing of this message is just right!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Foggy Rain

12/11/10 - Day 358
Was a very hectic week, so I slept in today and woke up in kind of a fog. It rained here all day, so the foggy mist and water pouring out of the downspout captured my mood.

Shot for Daily Shoot assignment #391: "What can make a photograph feel moody to you? Illustrate your answer today."

Friday, December 10, 2010

Meter's Running

12/10/10 - Day 357
Practically impossible to get a taxi in downtown Chicago this evening. And then when we did, just sat in traffic. I hate that!

Shot for today's Daily Shoot #390: "What makes you anxious? Illustrate it in a photograph today."

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Bands at the Bay

12/9/10 - Day 356
Leaving my South San Francisco office today, I was struck by the overcast over the bay and the horizontal bands of grass, Bay, horizon and sky, all punctuated by the lone sailboat.

Comfortably Numb

12/8/10 - Day 355
I had the great fortune tonight to see the Roger Waters-The Wall concert at HP Pavilion in San Jose. Being a Pink Floyd fan, it was a rare opportunity.  Amazing music and visuals.  Check out this link for an additional shot.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

4 Corners

12/7/10 - Day 354
O'Hare Airport, holiday decorations, equality --> during the holiday season, joy should be experienced across all 4 corners of the world.  I used the SymmetriCam to capture a 4-way image expressing holiday cheer, using the airport location to represent the global nature of the message.

Shot for today's Daily Shoot assignment #387: "Illustrate the word equality today with a photograph that shows your favorite interpretation."

Monday, December 6, 2010

Ripples on the River

12/6/10 - Day 353
Notwithstanding a very busy day, at 18 degrees F, there wasn't going to be outside shooting during the narrow window of sunshine.  I happened to glance out my office window towards the river and saw bright shadows/reflections of surrounding buildings.  Pulled out my Samsung point and shoot and fired off two shots for today's Daily Shoot #386: "Make a photograph today with strong direct light that casts crisp dark shadows."

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Happy Hanukkah

12/5/10 - Day 352
A photo of our menorah for Daily Shoot #385: "Illustrate or show depth of one kind or another in a photograph today."  I chose to illustrate depth through Depth of Field.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Moose in the Headlights

12/4/10 - Day 351
I startled this guy as he was roaming through our backyard during our first measurable snow.

Taken for Daily Shoot #384: "Find a composition today with a strong line or edge that cuts from one corner of the frame to the other."  Diagonal antlers?

Friday, December 3, 2010

Pics in a Pic

12/3/10 - Day 350
Other than the individual photos I've taken every day during the last year for my Project 365, Daily Shoot, and other photo groups, I've done virtually nothing artistic. The lone exception is the coffee table book I put together from our 2009 trip to Spain. Actually, I'm pretty proud of it.

Shot for Daily Shoot #383: "Double up on your art today. Make a photograph of something else that you've created or crafted."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

16 Candles ÷ 4

12/2/10 - Day 349
While at dinner tonight, I first read today's Daily Shoot assignment #382: "Make a photo today that features a hand in a creative way."  SymmetriCam to the rescue!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

First Flakes

12/1/10 - Day 348
The light snow covering on the deck made it pretty easy to accomplish today's Daily Shoot assignment #381: "Use vignetting in a photograph today. Either add it in post (easier) or do it in camera via lens or lighting (harder)." Did not use the vignetting sliders at all, only a little exposure and recovery to bring out the detail.  And, a little creative placement of the flashlight beam.  Check out my Flickr photostream for the runner-up shot.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Suspension

11/30/10 - Day 347
I don't know if this bridge in Boston, designed by Calatrava, follows the Golden Ratio (Daily Shoot #380), but it is one beautiful piece of architecture and engineering.  Taken this evening on the way to Logan Airport for my flight back to Chicago.

Monday, November 29, 2010

These Aren't Working

11/29/10 - Day 346
Shot for today's Daily Shoot #379: "Illustrate what the word vision means to you. Either be literal or interpret it broadly and artistically." Reminds me that I probably need a prescription check.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Willie Nelson (and Canned Heat)

11/28/10 - Day 345
As our son was readying to head for Columbus after visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday, this song came to mind. I got a shot off as he waved so long.

Guess the song title.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Road's Eye View

11/27/10 - Day 344
Pulled out the fisheye lens for today's Daily Shoot assignment #377: "Go for an unusual point of view and make a photograph that can only be made from that viewpoint."

Friday, November 26, 2010

Productive Day...

11/26/10 - Day 343
..for the boys, less so for me.

Taken for the Daily Shoot #376: "Containers, boxes, and packages.  Make a photo with one or more as a subject and illustrate what they mean to you."

Memories

11/25/10 - Day 342
Thanksgiving is the one day of the year where all the kids are in town and the whole family is together. There is a lot of picture taking going on so we can remember the occasion.

Shot for Daily Shoot #375: "Make a photograph today that documents your family or conveys how you think of your family."

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What Traffic?

11/24/10 - Day 341
Found a great and free iPad app called Trip Tracker for live flight tracking.  So much for the Thanksgiving travel crowds.  My son's flight from Denver was early this morning.  And I zipped in and out of the airport to pick him up, all with zero delays.

Shot for today's Daily Shoot #374: "Illustrate the process or thought of traveling today, possibly by documenting your own travels."

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Not So White Album

11/23/10 - Day 340
From the time I read today's Daily Shoot assignment #373 (shooting white on white), I knew that my copy of the Beatles White Album was going to be my subject.  Not so happy with the processing of this one, but ran out of time & patience tonight.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Lines of Text

11/22/10 - Day 339
Horizontal lines is the subject of today's Daily Shoot assignment #372.  Thought I would use this opportunity to combine the assignment response with another song title from the Beatles.  I'm not going to judge this as obscure or obvious - I'll let my viewers make that decision.  Now...name that tune.

And if you wish, name this book.  The book title has nothing to do with the song title however.  Answers will be posted on my Flickr Photostream.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Rear Windshield

11/21/10 - Day 338
It rained lightly this morning and I caught this reflection when going out to meet some buddies for coffee.  Fortunately, I had read the Daily Shoot assignment #371: "Find or make a reflection in a window today and shoot through it to create a layered composition."