365 and breaking patterns (warning: rambling!)

[dcclark]

This year, I've been trying to focus on recognizing and (sometimes) deliberately changing patterns in my own life. It's my own take on a particularly Buddhist way of thinking, and it's also good for my life as a whole.

I'm also doing a photo-a-day (365) project with the goal of taking (and preferably posting) a photo every day for a year. I started January 1.

Putting these two together, I've noticed a pattern. I have fallen into the pattern of taking photographs of things which are immediately around me -- at home or in my office, mostly. Often I try to focus on colors or shapes, unusual views of everyday objects -- but the fact is, I'm not going out and looking for photos as much!

Recent examples include: snow shovels, a ceiling light (abstract!), potted plants in my office, teaching equipment in my office, signs in my building... etc.

Why is this? Well, partly because on a normal weekday, I wouldn't be going out looking for photos anyhow. I often take hikes on weekends, and do a lot of my best work at those times. Another reason: I spend 90% of the daylight hours at work, or going to/from work. I take my camera with me, but that's just where I happen to be all day long.

So what's the point of this thread? Partly, to ask has anyone else noticed this pattern in their own photography? If so, what have you done about it? Maybe the answer is "cool, you're learning to see interesting things all around you", but I'd like to not fall into this pattern for good. What do you think?

[DannyF1966]

I know exactly what you mean. I started my 365 project on the spur of the moment as I happened to be awake very early on New Year's Day (actuually, the party I was at was so good I didn't go to bed at all, but that's another story), so I started my 365 with a photo of the dawn.

However, most of my days consist of driving to work at dawn, working in a windowless office all day and then driving home after dark. So finding subjects for the weekdays is proving to be a bit of a challenge, and it'll be interesting to see how this progresses over the year. I work in a very industrial area, and although I can get out of the office for a bit at lunchtime, I can't get very far.

I'm looking forward to the evenings getting longer so I can spend more time in the local parks, but for now a lot of my photos seem to be close-ups of things I find at home or in the office. There's nothing wrong with that per se, as it does force me to look at everyday objects in a slightly different way, and it'll be interesting to see what I'm finding to take photos of by the end of February!

[candidrachel]

I'm the same! I have been doing the 365 and have been taking photos of things around me too. Everyday objects that you take for granted. I've noiced that I like colour . I do however need to get out more!

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by DannyF1966

However, most of my days consist of driving to work at dawn, working in a windowless office all day and then driving home after dark. So finding subjects for the weekdays is proving to be a bit of a challenge, and it'll be interesting to see how this progresses over the year. I work in a very industrial area, and although I can get out of the office for a bit at lunchtime, I can't get very far.

Yep, this sounds really familiar! But I do have to say that industrial areas could make really cool photos -- if you could get out to spend time in them. Maybe part of that means changing your daily patterns in small ways, if possible?

Originally Posted by candidrachel

I'm the same! I have been doing the 365 and have been taking photos of things around me too. Everyday objects that you take for granted. I've noiced that I like colour . I do however need to get out more!

Yep, I've been doing lots of intimate looks at everyday objects. It is very interesting to do, and I like the results -- it's just getting harder and harder.

Good luck, both! I'm glad I'm not alone.

[DannyF1966]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Yep, this sounds really familiar! But I do have to say that industrial areas could make really cool photos -- if you could get out to spend time in them. Maybe part of that means changing your daily patterns in small ways, if possible?

Good luck, both! I'm glad I'm not alone.

In some ways, it's good that the 365 is only *one* photo per day... because there have been days where I've explored the local area a bit more and seen quite a few things that would make interesting photos, and I'll be coming back to these places in future weeks. And of course there's nothing wrong with posting pictures of the same outdoor scene in different weather conditions, or different seasons. There's nothing to say that you can only photograph something once and once only on a 365.

[Nicole]

I do know what you mean. I have a lot, and I mean a lot of pictures so far of things that are around the house. And that includes landscapes from the window. Part of it is fun because I'm learning to look at the ordinary stuff a little differently. Part of it drives me up a wall because I want to do something other than just take pictures of whatever I can find in the house that I haven't photographed yet. And then I get stuck in the same rut of taking similar types of photos of different objects.

So to try to break the pattern this week I designated it Lensbaby week for me. I can't take the same kind of shots with the Lensbaby as I do the rest of the time, so it's a way to break my pattern. I'm hoping that it will not only break the pattern but also get a lens that was gathering dust some use. So I figure maybe when I get stuck I'll pick a lens or technique for a week just to break out of the pattern.

[dcclark]

Nicole -- that's a great idea with the Lensbaby. I've also considered doing something like taking a photo of the same subject, each day for a week -- but trying to make the photos as different as possible. Different details, different angles, close-ups, shapes and colors... it would be a pretty cool challenge. Now I just need to choose that subject!

[Gobae]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Putting these two together, I've noticed a pattern. I have fallen into the pattern of taking photographs of things which are immediately around me -- at home or in my office, mostly. Often I try to focus on colors or shapes, unusual views of everyday objects -- but the fact is, I'm not going out and looking for photos as much!

This issue was one of the things I considered and why I decided to do a 52. I'm hoping that having a full week to figure out what and where to shoot will help alleviate the "I've got to shoot something.... quick find a nearby object and make it work" mentality.

One thing you might consider is actually starting to 'plan' what you'll be shooting each day or at least develop a list of options. This might sound too stuffy or limiting, but if you sit down and think about specific things you'd like to shoot then the next time you're at the "what do I want to shoot today?" stage, you'll have some ready options.

[Nicole]

Glad I could help. I figure I can work my way through several lenses and probably a handful of techniques over the next year. Best of luck finding that subject! BTW, love your latest shot. Shows you really can do a lot with the ordinary.

[BryanC]

Interesting thread. My interest in picking up a camera has always ranged from 'completely obsessed' mood to 'totally uninterested' mood, and everything in between. I tossed around the idea of a 365 or a 52 project, but I know myself. (At least I think I do.) I'm pretty sure there would come a day where I just wouldn't be motivated, wouldn't feel creative, just wouldn't feel like it.

And, one of two things would happen: I would either just take something, anything just to get it done or, not take anything because I just didn't feel it. Either way, I would be disappointed...either for just doing it for the sake of doing it, or for not accomplishing anything for that day. This is just how I am. I have big respect for those of you who do tackle these projects.

I have a question, out of curiosity, to whoever wants to answer, either currently doing these projects or have already done one: Have all of your images been ones you have been satisfied with? Meaning, forget about it being part of the project for a moment, standing on it's own, are you happy with what you accomplished? Or, has there been one, or maybe more, that you weren't happy with but it satisfied the project requirement? Again, I ask out of curiosity only, not to pass judgement or anything like that.