It was almost exactly one year ago that I started a project attempting to photograph myself and share the results once daily. The time constraints of this, some kind of life, and a 50+ hour work week made it impossible to continue. I discussed ways of keeping it alive and then eventually ended it.
However, while it lasted it made me feel great. I felt accomplished, and creative, and alive. Sure, there were moments of frustration and difficulty and not every image was a visual success. But, in some small way, every image helped me to grow. 7 of these 12 images remain amongst my most regarded images on Flickr and I have a hard time believing its because of my choice in models.
My point is, I need a new project.
Part of the problem with the above project was that one of the requirements was that I be the subject. It’s difficult enough to plan an image, prepare any needed materials, travel to a location, setup the shot, make photographs, clean up, get home, edit the photos, and then publish an image all in one day. Throwing me in as required subject matter and making me play both photographer and model only adds to the complexity. It’s not that I can’t photograph myself once a day. That’s easy and certainly fruitful for a self-study or an adventure in amateur photography. But photographing myself in a new and interesting way every day becomes a bit more of challenge.
So I’m working on cooking something up. Something that will require daily work but not daily results. Something that will allow me to be the subject when needed but not as a constant requirement. Something that will enforce deadlines, but not without giving me a little room to breathe, work, and live.
I’m all for ideas, if you have any.