DO's and DON'T's of the 365 Project!

Hello All!
I am starting my VERY FIRST 365 Project on January 5th (my 17th birthday) and I just wanted to know if anyone has advice for me? I'm super nervous going into this...I'm afraid of forgetting a day or running out of creativity. Does anyone who has done a past 365 project have any words of advice for me? What are some things you wished you knew while you were doing your project?
Thanks so much!

[helloGreenStar]

I just started the Project365 on January 1st but the one thing I noticed from looking at others is that it's good to mix it up and maybe do a "black and white" week, a close up portrait week, a week where you don't show your face in the photo at all but show other things like your hands (praying, grabbing something, ect) and feet, ect. Just trying to mix it up and keep it fresh because 365 days of the same type of poses will get old quick.

Good luck! I'll keep an eye out and I hope you make it through 365

[RLucas]

Do have fun
Don't get frustrated.
As an aside, a 365 doesn't necessarily have to be self portraits either.
I am 3 days in to mine, and I can already tell it's going to be very eclectic..

[BuddhaPi]

i'm 3 days late starting mine, looks like it might end a 52 week project instead.. 7 images once a week, with a different angle/theme every week..

[Nicole]

Best piece of advice I followed? Don't go anywhere without a camera.

Other good advice? Join groups and make contacts who will help encourage you in your 365 and encourage them in return. I have a group of about 6 or 7 key contacts who I've really enjoyed interacting with in the last year.

Best piece of advice I never got around to following but should have? Take a picture first thing in the morning of anything. That way if the day gets away from you still know that you've managed to take a picture for every day.

Shock of shocks, I actually just finished (successfully) my 365 project. I didn't think I would make it through a week. Then I didn't think I would make it through a month. Then I got so far stuck into it that I didn't want to give up so close to the end. However, the one thing that's probably pretty important to remember is that at times it will be frustrating. At times you'll wonder why you started it. You'll want to quit. You'll hate the project, hate your photos, and wonder what possessed you in the first place. However, if you can get beyond that you'll find that your skills grow. You'll also find that even towards the end when you think you should be doing better there are days when you'll wind up perfectly happy with crap photos. Just remember that sometimes it's about taking a photo, and not every day needs to be a work of art. Don't be nervous though. Be excited, be happy, be giddy with anticipation. Or even a "why not". If you don't get through it the world won't end. But if you do get through there's a pretty decent sense of accomplishment when you look at what you've done over the year.

[RonD90]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Best piece of advice I followed? Don't go anywhere without a camera.

Other good advice? Join groups and make contacts who will help encourage you in your 365 and encourage them in return. I have a group of about 6 or 7 key contacts who I've really enjoyed interacting with in the last year.

Best piece of advice I never got around to following but should have? Take a picture first thing in the morning of anything. That way if the day gets away from you still know that you've managed to take a picture for every day.

Shock of shocks, I actually just finished (successfully) my 365 project. I didn't think I would make it through a week. Then I didn't think I would make it through a month. Then I got so far stuck into it that I didn't want to give up so close to the end. However, the one thing that's probably pretty important to remember is that at times it will be frustrating. At times you'll wonder why you started it. You'll want to quit. You'll hate the project, hate your photos, and wonder what possessed you in the first place. However, if you can get beyond that you'll find that your skills grow. You'll also find that even towards the end when you think you should be doing better there are days when you'll wind up perfectly happy with crap photos. Just remember that sometimes it's about taking a photo, and not every day needs to be a work of art. Don't be nervous though. Be excited, be happy, be giddy with anticipation. Or even a "why not". If you don't get through it the world won't end. But if you do get through there's a pretty decent sense of accomplishment when you look at what you've done over the year.

WOW…Brutally honest. If I were starting a 365 project I would definitely write this down and read it at least once every week. Great advice and insight as to what to expect without any sugar coating. (Actually has me thinking about starting this project now. )

Wow! Thanks so much Nicole!!! Awesome advice! Especially on taking a picture in the morning...that's a great idea! I took a look at your stream and saw that you went to New Zealand during your 365. I lived there for a while! Lovely place! Wish I was doing my 365 then! I am in Hawai'i now so I guess that's still good.

Thanks everyone for the advice! And if anyone wants to follow me and give advice as I do my 365 starting on Wednesday...here is my FLICKR link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-ann-l_photography/

[Nicole]

@Ron, Happy to offer non-sugar coated advice

@Madison, I've been living in NZ for about the last 9 years. Gorgeous place for photography. I definitely wouldn't put down Hawai'i for it. After all, you'll probably find yourself taking your fair share of shots inside even with the gorgeous scenery Best of luck on the project!

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Happy Birthday, Madison. You share your birthday with my hubby.

I started a 365 last year on my birthday (30th Jan), and didn't quite make 6 months. I got bogged down in the winter duldrums. Nicole's advice is spot on.
I'm thinking that I might make myself a 52 project this year. One REALLY good, well processed photo each week. Maybe... I've got a day or so to make up my mind.

@Nicole - congrats on finishing your 365. You must feel an awesome sense of satisfaction.

[kathiemt]

Love your mosaic Nicole! How did you do that?

I did Project 365 last year and probably missed about 10 days in all. But thats 355 or so days I didn't miss.

I didn't worry about themes or anything, I just let each day present new opportunities.

Like Nicole said, don't go anywhere without your camera. Mine goes everywhere with me and I've kind of become the 'lady with the camera' where I am. I take regular walks down the streets where I live, walk in local parks, join the photographic club photowalks and so on.

There were some days when I felt my photos were just ordinary and other days when I would look and say 'wow, did I take that?'

I know that today I'm a better photographer than I was this time last year and I've decided to do it all over again. I loved that it created a habit and that I'm actually learning how to use my equipment better.