A very Jaunty friend mentioned the concept of Project 365 to me late in 2009, to take at least one photo a day for a single year. Fast forward three years and this crazy Bird has been taking and posting a photo a day on Flickr, which you can see on my account. The photo doesn't have to be a masterpiece, it can be done using a camera phone, it was a well-intentioned project to make participants be more aware of their present surroundings and capture a moment of their day. 

It's become a regular part of my behavior, making sure I took at least one photo -- which isn't difficult given what I do and the ease of a handy camera phone. The last year has moved so quickly -- the fastest yet, I feel. I didn't realize I'd even been doing this for three years until I stopped to take a look at my own album to see the date stamp from 2010. 

And that's when I made the decision: let Project 365 end for the Magpie. It's not because I don't enjoy it, or that it's lost its meaning. I continue to take photos and visually document things I love, but I felt like the exercise of documenting each day was something that wasn't as necessary anymore. I just had to look at my first photos taken in 2010 to go right back to what I was thinking and where I was in life. It was a big transitional period -- I was deciding to become a freelance everything -- graphic design, photography, illustration, writing. I didn't know how to go about anything, every day felt daunting and I had a surplus of time that quickly became filled with doubt and fear. But filling that space with beauty and inspiration helped remind me that the world will keep spinning through the good and bad days, so don't forget to take a moment to capture some part of that day.  I feel like that lesson has taken hold enough to where the exercise of documenting a day just becomes another to-do on my list, and that somewhat negates the purpose of Project 365. 

I looked through the last three years of daily photos and could remember something very specific about that day, something that could never have been completely captured in words. I can recall why each image was chosen and what I was doing, whether it was flying off on a trip or living in my own little world that day. There were bad days and good ones, even if the image didn't betray all the intimate details. It's a unique way to journal one's life by sharing everything, but keeping many things private. A picture tells a thousand words, and it will mean different things to people, so it tells its own story. I will still post images on the account periodically, it just won't be daily. It's just as meaningful to share one image that is significant, as it is to post hundreds that make up a whole year. I don't know if anyone else continues with Project 365, but I cheer you on if you're keeping up with it. I may return to it again, if the time feels right, but for now, I'm comfortable with taking 2013 one day at a time, photo or not.


Jaunty Fine Print: Photos by Denise Sakaki

Does anything more really need to be said? Project 365 for 2011 is most certainly on, and the Bird has passed the one month mark and is moving full steam ahead! After doing this for 2010, not continuing into 2011 seemed unthinkable. And to change things up for 2011, the Bird is adding drawings to her Project 365. So it's not always going to be a photograph a day -- as long as it's keeping the creativity going, who can complain? Tally ho, 2011!


Jaunty Fine Print:  photos by Denise Sakaki

 

It sure sounded simple enough -- the challenge to take at least one photo a day, for a full year. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, it doesn't have to be anything particularly dear or special, just a snapshot of a moment of your day, for the entire year. That was the initial gauntlet drop for 2010's Project 365.

This Bird was fairly sure she'd drop the ball and just let the camera gather dust, but surprisingly the little habit became as much a part of her day like brushing teeth or the necessary morning coffee. This was especially helpful in the beginning months of the year, when the Magpie was sort of floundering around, wondering what to do next. Having a creative must-do every day, even if it's as small as taking a photo, became a lesson in living in the moment, and finding beauty in small, insignificant details. The world didn't have to be about big adventures or grand, meaningful gestures, simply gaining a new appreciation for everyday observation. Plus, it's a great way to get to know your camera. You start to gain a feel for it, letting it become more of a creative appendage, rather than a tool to translate what the eye sees.

And so the Project 365 for 2010 is done, and this was the final photo of the year, on my Flickr account that I'm too cheap and lazy to upgrade to "Pro," hence the short queue of photos. It's a beautiful spice/coffee mill from Turkey that a friend brought back on her recent trip! But this Birdie ain't sad to say goodbye to a year gone by, she's invigorated for what the new year will bring, and taking a new creative twist over what 2011's Project 365 will be. A combination of photos and illustrations? Wait and see!


Jaunty Fine Print:  photograph by Denise Sakaki

 

Happy Jaunty June everyone! Can you believe we're nearly halfway through the year? It only seems like yesterday that we rang in 2010 and it's nearly middle-aged! After the month of June, this year will literally be over the hill. Nearing the halfway point made me think of the ongoing Project 365 that I'm still plugging along with, taking at least one photo a day, however boring or mundane, and posting it up for the world to see on my Flickr account.

I think the project has been a good exercise in making it a point to find one interesting detail about the day. It can't be swashbuckling adventures every single day, so taking the time to slow down can be a good thing, to watch the flutter of a leaf in the wind, the way light falls on a favorite object, or just a snapshot of whatever tasty goodness is on the dinner plate.


Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki, from my Flickr page

 

Who doesn't love a challenge? This Birdie decided to take up the gauntlet of taking one photo a day for Project 365, an art project that a lot of creative minded souls are participating in. Along with getting more familiar with one's camera, it's a great incentive to do a little creative thing every day.

It's already February, so this Magpie has managed to get through the thirty-one days of January without missing a beat. We'll see how far I can manage -- doing a year-long project like this is tough! But fear not -- no need for professional gear or skills; any camera will do, even on a phone, so anyone and everyone can get involved. You can see this Birdie's progress so far on her Flickr account. Got a Project 365 collection growing? Share your blog and/or link to a photo page in the comments below. Let's all encourage one another and keep the momentum going for the whole year!
Jaunty Fine Print: Photos by Denise Sakaki