When I first started this project on January 1, 2013 I knew very little about photography. I had owned my Canon Rebel for less than a year and only had a very basic knowledge of it. At the end of 2012, I heard about a 365 photo project that might possibly help me learn and practice my photo skills, and that's what prompted me to do it.
When I first started, I:
- only took pictures in JPEG,
- only used Aperture Priority mode,
- didn't know a thing about shooting in Manual Mode,
- used "Picassa" to edit my photos (yikes!!!).
- had no clue about self portraits (Before this project it NEVER occurred to me to be in front of the camera and/or photograph myself),
- didn't own a tripod, a cable release or a remote shutter.
While doing this project, I:
- began to shoot in RAW,
- learned how to shoot in Manual Mode through a tutorial I found in Click It Up a Notch,
- took a Lightroom class at a local photo store and now use Lightroom as my main editing program,
- learned to be more comfortable with self portraits. I reluctantly did it the first time, but made that a regular part of the project.
So overall, this project was a very positive one. There is still a lot to learn, but I'm so pleased with everything I have learned so far. I would love to continue taking and posting a photo a day but I don't have the same amount of time I had before. I now have a job!!! I work for Ted Morton Photography. I feel very lucky to be working in a field that I really like.
I was planning on starting a 52 week photo project the first week of the new year, but it has been very busy so far. So, as soon as I get started I will post it here.
The only thing I wish I had done different in this project is to have spent more time documenting my kids' lives and learned more about taking more portrait photos in general. So, I think I will include more of those in the new project.
I would like to thank all the 365 online photography friends I met through this project. I don't think I would have ever completed it without their frequent positive comments and support.
Although there were many photos I wasn't very proud of in this project, there were some I liked a lot. Here are some of my favorite ones:
What a wonderful collection of beautiful and timeless images Olga! You should be very proud of yourself for completing the 365 project. It's not easy to make that commitment! Your images have really improved and you have a great photographic eye! Congratulations on your new job! That is so exciting! I can't wait to see what you learn! I think that's the beauty of photography ... you can constantly learn and mould your creativeness! It's been so wonderful to get to know you and I look very forward to seeing your 52 week project! Congratulations Olga! You did an amazing 365! :D
ReplyDeletewow Olga congratulations a Job in the photography field. I love to look at your images and will miss seeing them on a daily bases. The improvement you made over the past year was amazing good luck. I still hope to see more of you on instagram!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a great 365 project Olga. I've had the same experience of realizing the value of photographing my kids and other extended family members. Looking forward to another year of great images.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your 365! Your photos are beautiful!! I found your blog through the link-up at Click It Up a Notch. My husband and I are in the process of creating a new feature at The Albums to help our members begin and finish a Project 365.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering…since you finished your Project 365, what's one piece of advice you would tell someone about to embark on one?
Thanks so much!