365Project - a great way to get your photos seen and to see the photographs of other people. Sharing and commenting is a effective way to learn.
Getting your pictures seen is what its all about
Photography showcase websites have been popular for some years. Flickr, Photobucket, and 500px are examples of popular social/sharing photo-sites. There are many more. However, some social-networking photography sites are a bit intimidating for the photographer who is just building up confidence. It is sometimes daunting to post your shots when you unsure. Getting started posting online is easier if you are with a friendly website where the community is supportive and helpful. 365project is one such site.
365 websites provide a challenge for users to post a photograph every day for a year. The idea is simple. Photographers challenge themselves to produce photographs daily just for the fun of it. You have to provide the self-motivation to take a daily picture and to become a part of the site community. Beyond that pretty much anything goes. There is no agenda as far as the site is concerned. Do as you wish (within the bounds of decency and legality). If you become a part of the community regular posting is important. Your ‘followers’ miss you if you don’t post, so you feel obligated to keep your photos going. The community spirit is very strong. Everyone helps each other. It is astonishing how friendly the site is and how helpful everyone is when you need it. The 365project is definitely about community.
Great things, bad things, wonderful things, exciting things, tragic and the mundane, the 365ers are there for all of that. Believe me it is tear-jerking sometimes. The community all rally around and help out, congratulate, support or just provide {{{{hugs}}}}. It’s fun supportive and enjoyable to have people so focused on your interests and theirs and you get to share intimate insights into peoples lives.
Regular commenting on peoples photographs will bring in return comments on your shots. 365ers are really positive about the photos they view. People do not make bad comments. They may refrain from comment, but will definitely talk about the good aspects of your shots. If you just pick up on the positive comments and repeat good ideas in future shots you would learn a great deal. If you ask for advice people make really helpful and useful comments. Not every one agrees with everyone else. But, its all about understanding your photography so accepting different approaches to a shot is all part of the learning process.
As your skills progress some shots may prove to be crowd pullers. The site has a ‘popular page‘ where pictures that have caught wide attention get posted. The popular page helps pull new visitors to your project helping you make new friends.
A daily photograph is a challenge and lacking inspiration sometimes is part of the journey. The project has members all over the world. Normal and everyday for you is totally new for some of them. So just take a shots that you like – even if it is your cat, and post it on the site. Er… actually, take a picture especially if it is your cat. The ‘Awwwww’ factor is big on the project (cats on 365 project). Appealing pictures are very popular.
If you like a photograph ‘Fav’ it with the button at the top of every daily picture-page. ‘Favs’ are stored in your fav pages which keeps your favorite pictures. You can also look at other people fav pictures. This is great for developing your ideas about what is a good picture. It’s helpful to look at good photographs every day. It develops your skills as a photographer. Favs are the pictures that influence your photography, give you ideas and help you improve.
Camera carrying becomes a habit. You get to know your camera intimately. 365project is also a great place to get to know post-processing. Helpful comments, ideas, tricks and tips are shared everywhere. The site also has lots of articles, discussions and help groups.
There are some really fun things to try out during your project…
- A 30 day challenge on a theme (black and white; mobile shots; abstracts…)
- Taking a photo and link it to a music track every day
- Two weeks of abstract shots
- A photo each day that starts with a letter of the alphabet from A-Z
- Photograph the seasons throughout the year
- A self portrait week, or month, or whatever.
- A regular timed photo every day, say, taken at 2.30pm.
There are lots of ideas like this on the site and a weekly theme for you to follow, among other things.
Using the site is free – just register and start. There is also an ‘ace’ membership for $19. For that you get two extra albums and access to online editing software. There is a lot more to the site – more information can be found on the site. You can use any camera – its about the shots, not what equipment you own.
Seriously committed to your photography? Want to be a part of a committed photographic community? 365project is for you. It’s an excellent way to build your skills and confidence. And, I can tell you, it is quite an achievement to finish the year. Enjoy!
– An open community of committed photographers.
