Do you ever run out of things to photograph?

It’s always the first question I’m asked when someone finds out I’ve taken a photo every single day for the last 738 days.

My answer is always the same.

Nope, I don’t. I never do.

Last week I shared all the FAQs about doing a 365 photography project but I wanted to expand on a question I get asked more than any other.

Never is the honest truth, but I don’t think it would be fair to leave it at that.
In the beginning, I carried this trusty little note and I referenced it a lot.

I wrote it during the middle of a class I was taking with Molly Flanagan called Visual Storytelling. Today I went to my camera bag and dug it out.

I really had to train myself to look at my subject in different ways. I knew it would get boring real fast if I didn’t stay curious and keep things fresh.

It’s crazy how quick this became intuitive, but at first I used that note daily.

Detail. Wide. Portrait. Medium. Action.

Detail

When I approach a subject or a scene, I’m typically drawn to the small details before anything else. Little fingers holding a Duplo, the wet tip of a dog’s nose, the drip of an icicle melting. Details are so important and a great way to shake things up in a 365. You could have a million pictures of your little one but crouching down and taking a picture of just their toes changes the total feel of the photo and when you approach a scene, there’s already a week’s worth of details in just one wide frame shot!

Wide

Getting a wide shot was always something I missed in the beginning. I really had to train myself to take a step back and evaluate the whole picture. Now, these are some of my favorite photographs.. especially for a 365 project. There are layers of memories when you shoot from the back corner of a bedroom or from the top of a chair looking down into a chaotic living room — the Where’s Waldo shot.
Going wide can also satisfy you creatively if you choose to leave some negative space in your frame. If you’re not sure what that means, no worries, I have a bit on composition below.

Portrait

When in doubt, I always go for the portrait. Lucky for me, I live with three very handsome men that I love to put in front of my lens. I also have a lot of visitors and don’t mind asking them to sit for me. Lastly, I try to sprinkle myself through my 365 too. If it’s been a while I’ll get in front of the camera and play. Self portraiture, don’t skip it! If you notice you’ve never been in a photo or it’s been a few weeks it means it’s time for you to set up to be in a shot!

Medium

My memory says this is your basic shot, but even so, it doesn’t need to be average. I try to take perspective into account for shooting medium and allow myself to get creative with my angle when I can. Changing your angle, even slightly can give a totally different feel to you medium shot.

Action

Going into 2020, action/movement is one of my biggest visual elements that I’d like to incorporate into my work. What gives a photo more interest than movement? It’s a perfect way to capture a moment, a feeling.. whether it’s energy or excitement. Action is life!

“Oh no. It’s only week two and I’m already taking a photo of my water glass in the morning.”
- One of the ladies in my first 365 group

We’ve all been there, for real! And the good part is you have 365 photos, so by all means, take the picture of your water glass… but then check out these tips because you’ll need to spice it up if you want to make it the whole year!

First thing you can do is head over to Google and type in ‘Rules of Photography Composition’ and check out some of the results that come up.
Pick one of the rules and focus on it for an entire week. They’ll explain what it is and it really helps to have something to “look for” when you pick up your camera than to wander around aimlessly.
Although I don’t knock wandering around aimlessly, because that’s typically what I was doing when I took my favorite photographs. Maybe you’ll get a great shot, maybe you’ll get an average shot, maybe you’ll capture something portfolio worthy. You just never know… but honestly that’s what makes it fun.

Another way to create some ideas would be to actually sit down and brainstorm. Why are you doing this project? What is it that you really want to remember?
Do you smile to yourself every time your toddler puts his clothes on inside out and backwards? Is it the way the light hits your wall your bedroom in the fall? Is it your grandmother’s hand? Your pups footprint in the snow? (or sand for my Hawaii friends ;P)

I’ve documented everything from the start of my grey hair (it’s coming in hot by the way, WTH!), to the nursery with a rocker (knowing it would only last a few short months), to big moves across country! A 15 minute brainstorm session could give you a month’s worth of ideas!

Lastly, and this is the most important, if I could share one thing with you, it’s to not be afraid to take a bad photo. Or a week of bad photos.
If I’ve learned anything from any of the amazing teachers in my life, it’s that you need to make a lot of bad or okay stuff to make the heart sing stuff. Don’t over think it and don’t let it stump you.

Just keep going.

Alright, I think that’s everything!

Please please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be here rooting and posting and wishing you all an awesome 2020!

Elyse’