Half Way Point...

Well, it's official: I am half way through my One Year Until 30: 365 Days of Photos project. I have taken a minimum of one picture every day for 183 days. I have to say, I am loving this project!

In the beginning, it was exciting. I found to have no problems composing shots every day. About a month or so into the project, I started having days where I had to force myself to take a picture...of anything...just to fulfill my obligation to myself. Many of these days, the shots were mediocre at best and nothing I would post anywhere publicly. However, I maintained that it was important to uphold the promise that I had made to myself. I knew that had I missed even one day, that I would regret it. I had to persevere.

Very early on, I had to abandon posting the pictures by number, or even keeping track of the number picture I was on. I have no mind for details and trying to keep track of which pictures were taken on which days and what number corresponded with that day was just way too much for my big picture mind. So I simply eliminated that from the equation. I put the entire emphasis of my efforts on making sure I was taking pictures every day.

Most days, taking pictures was something I wanted to do. My only problem was not having enough time to take all of the pictures that I wanted to take. Now, getting my camera out at least once a day is pretty much second nature. And on the days where it feels like it just isn't in me to  "compose" a shot, I take a picture of the kids...doing anything...or I take a walk outside where I'm bound to find something beautiful. I have found that flowing with {instead of against} my creative ebb and flow has been the key to success in this project. In doing so, I've learned so much about my personal creative flow, what triggers a rush, what precedes a low, and how to cope with it all. I'm also learning how to get myself back into the creative groove when I feel like I've fallen out of it completely. I'm realizing how natural and inevitable it is to have these artistic ups and downs and, where at one time they would cause me to question my eye and my ability, I now see them as just a part of the process.

Not only has this project been teaching me about my creative self, I have learned so very very much about photography, cameras, and picture taking. In the past 183 days, I have learned how to shoot manually with a digital SLR. I've learned about lighting, lenses, aperture, exposure, composition, tones, focus...I could go on but I get that you're catching my drift.

During this last half of the project, I'd like to get a bit more in depth in my study of photography. This first half, I spent learning by experience. In this second half, I'll be reading some photography text books and expanding my knowledge of the art in general. Where I've learned a bunch of 'hows' with regards to taking pictures, I hope to learn a bit more about the 'whys'.

I also hope to curb my dependency on the fact that I can take literally hundreds of pictures in an attempt to get a perfect shot. I'd love to try my hand at {dare I say it?} FILM and work on perfecting my shot in the viewfinder. This is all about challenging myself, right? And if I'm to grow, I need to continue to push myself beyond my current comfort levels.

Also, there are areas of photography in which I need to develop my skills and techniques. For example, portraits, including self portraits, are not one of my strengths but I really want to develop my skills in that area. I would love to acquire a macro lens so I can really explore the possibilities it offers with regards to nature photography.

So, there we are! I so love that you've all been along for the ride thus far. So many of you I have met on Flickr as a direct result of my devotion to photography. I could not be more thankful for this gift, the art form, in my life!