My 365/100 Project

It’s official. I’m finally starting my personal photo project for 2010. There may be others throughout the year, but this is my “2010″ project. I’m calling it my 365/100 project. Why do a personal project? So I can improve my craft. Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Personal projects are all about sharpening the axe. Here’s the deal:

The 365 part is a typical 365 project. The goal is to create at least one image each day that is specifically for the project. I tried to do a 365 project last year and failed to complete all 365, but it did cause me to grow significantly as a photographer. This year I’m trying to take it to the next level. My goal is to not just take pictures out of obligation to the project, but instead to push myself to make images that will make me a better photographer. Here are some ideas that I may try out over the next year: Emulate some great photographers of past and present, try techniques that I would normally not have time to try in a paid shoot, shoot in genres that are not my normal subjects, etc. The idea is to push out the edges of the box.

The 100 part is the reason it’s February 7th and I’m just now starting this. It scares me to death, but that’s why I’m doing it. To push me beyond my fear. As part of my 365 project, 100 will be portraits of complete strangers. Now, this isn’t street photography. I’m not talking about shooting from the hip. These are to be real portraits of people. I had three major things I wanted to accomplish:

• Improve my social skills with people I don’t know. This is really less about interacting with people during a shoot, but more about a greater goal I have for myself for 2010. I tend to be the guy that goes to social, networking, or workshop events and sits alone. I read my iPhone or stick with people I already know. I know I’m missing out by not opening myself up to new personal relationships with people.
• Improve my ability to make a great portrait in not so great locations. As a wedding photographer, I’m often time required to make a beautiful portrait in the parking lot of a church. This can be quite a challenge. By finding people in ordinary locations like Starbucks, the grocery store, on the street, etc I’ll be forced to make a beautiful portrait using the immediate surroundings as my location.
• Refine my ability to “see” good light. Seeing and finding good light is the magic of being a great photographer. It’s usually there, it’s just not always obvious. I’ll be in average locations when I make these portraits. I’ll be on the hunt for great light in each of these 100 portraits.

I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to organize this and I’m sure it’ll evolve as the year goes on, but I need to start it. I need to step out and make myself vulnerable. This is it. It starts now. Here’s my first shot:

I was drawn to this particular shot because of the large floor to ceiling windows that was behind me. It created a nice light on her face.