365 Days

Oh, what a bittersweet day!  365 days ago I joined a group on Flickr committing to take a self portrait every day.  My goal was to have a daily reason to pick up my new camera, a creative assignment to get the juices flowing.  Some days the task was completed effortlessly with joy and satisfactory results.  Other days I struggled with ennui, dirty hair or no tripod.  Along the way I learned many things:  I am a one day at time person.   I realized I never focused on reaching the end goal.   My attitude was I'd do it for as long as I could, for as long as I wanted to do.  I bent the rules when needed.  I confess, I made  allowances for a few days missed due to travel or a hectic schedule.  Instead of being rigid, and giving up on the project I tacked the days on, so in truth I started this venture 388 days ago.  I often had to wrestle with my critical voice which showed up in front of and behind the camera.   Not an easy demon to slay, but as a result I have a clearer vision of myself, and I like who I see.  This assignment anchored me in the present and gave me   an amazing digital diary of an exceptional year in my life.  I'll always be grateful that I had the time to explore such a project and document the many adventures of my 46th year.  I posted 40 photos, the first, last and 1 for every 10 days in between.  Good bye 365 Days.  I'll miss you!

MILESTONE

I posted my two hundred and fiftieth self portrait today on Flickr!  Taken in my backyard, post bike ride and pre-loading up the car (and shower) for the drive to LA.  I spontaneously joined the group on an afternoon in May without truly considering the 365 Days commitment.  My tripod has now been to Paris, London, NJ, Manhattan, Palm Springs, San Francisco and the foothills of many mountains.  The snapshots document the passage of time and a particularly unique year in my life.  The unstructured freedom of my days is noted in my casual attire, tasseled hair and makeup less face.  I hope to experiment more in the next four months with light and composition.  Perhaps I'll even remember to reach for a tube of mascara before I set out.

Photo

Today's reverb 10 prompt: Photo - a present to yourself

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words.

In May I took this self portrait for a photography class assignment.  I put on a vintage gown and set up my newly purchased tripod in my back yard.  The sun was radiant and warm on my shoulders.  I was looking at my image reflected in the glass door behind me as the timer counted down.  The smile is real.  I was happily embracing my new life, no work and lots of play.  This photo propelled me to join 365 Days on Flickr.   The beginning of many new adventures . . .