A couple of years ago, I saw a blogger start what she called “Project 365.” The effort was to post a single new photograph every day for a year.
If memory serves, this project was started on January 1.
I briefly pondered the effort, but that faded.
Now, a Texas Tech student and Twitter friend, Allison Ralston, has started a similarly themed photo blog.
And that’s all the motivation that I needed.
But it’s too late to start on Jan. 1, so I’ll start on Jan. 3. Look for a new photo later today … and each day for the next 365!
There’s something wrong …
In addition to rekindling my love of photography (it was my career choice for a few months), I am hoping that it allows for some creative expression for my Transcendental soul.
Two years ago, I read Walden, and it spoke to me.
I was born 150 years too late to take part in the original Transcendental movement but not too late for my own.
As any citizen of the world can tell, there is something wrong with the world today.
And I have a strong suspicion that it has nothing to do with any of the things that we talk about. Certainly few of the things so many shout about.
Oil, suburbia, ennui
In the past month, I have read about the post peak-oil world (The Long Emergency), Eastern thought (Zen Buddhism), philosophy (Michel Foucault), and Hindu scripture (Bhagavad Gita).
I am also rereading Walden.
As always, I am struck by Thoreau’s words.
The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?
I have some thoughts about how I can negotiate this life less encumbered by the trappings of the rat race. As those thoughts make more sense, I will share them here.
In keeping with this project, however, I will attempt to share those ideas visually … starting later today.
I hope you’ll stay tuned.
P.S. Texas Tech student Simon Ponder also launched a Project 365 this year.
I'm a cognitive scientist and communication scholar who manages a psychophysiology lab at Texas Tech. I teach courses about the cognitive processing of media messages and research methods.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Former texas tech student…I actually graduated :-p and glad to see you are starting, but you forgot to post the picture.
Also if you have an iphone…theres an app for that called Project 365. Makes it easier to organize.
This is the prologue, man! First photo comes in the next entry.
And congrats on graduating. I knew that somewhere in my brain, but I was still in disbelief!
I will check out the app.
Yeah, Simon is the one who convinced me to start my photo blog. I’m bad about finishing projects, so I’m excited to see that others will be doing this, too!
Super cool, Allison. I am glad to have company. And moreover, seeing the great work done by the two of you will inspire me to keep me inertia going, too.
Here’s to an amazing 365 days!
Sam, I loved Walden too. You might also want to read some of Walt Whitman’s stuff; “Uncle Walt” as my English teacher called him. He was really Thoreau’s mentor of sorts. Well, technically, Emerson’s mentor. So he was like Esther Thorson was to you, a grand-mentor of sorts, if that makes sense. But I’m excited to see your photography. Creativity is always good for the soul. Good luck! Already like the first photo
Thanks, Sixx. I am not as fond as Emerson, so perhaps it will skip a generation. Interestingly my favorite piece of Emerson’s was his eulogy of Thoreau. Ironic.
The first photo is what it is with an iPhone. Maybe with this year’s tax refund, I will actually buy the new digital EOS to be able to use my lenses again. So the “art” is far more metaphorical at this point.
Hope you’re well. Thanks for the Christmas card. We’re almost always too busy to actually pull those off.
Great to see you’re doing a 365, Sam! I too have been pondering this project for years and finally decided this was the year it will happen…
…however, I am starting mine a little late – February 1, 2010.
Thanks, Rob! I will make sure to link to you once you get it rolling.
It’s going to be a great year!