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I have quit 365.

Scandal! I dislike leaving things unfinished, but I realised recently that what I set out to do with this project, and what I actually ended up doing were very different.

When I did my self-portrait 365, in 2008, it was about getting to know my camera better, pushing me to shoot more, and making me familiar with how to develop and apply concepts, and in those regards it was a great success.

I looked back at the end of 2009, and realised that over the year, I'd done very few shoots with anyone, and felt very uncreative.

I envisaged that this project would force me to work with more people. It would force me to develop strong concepts, and use people other than myself to bring them to life. It would make me better at communicating to models what I wanted.

But I've found that this hasn't been the case at all. Because I'm crazy busy most of the time, and so is everyone else I know, scheduling concept shoots has been complex. I have found myself more and more just pulling at my camera at random intervals and shooting documentary-style, which is really not my forte. I have been filling space with uninspired self-portraits, instead of sitting down, nutting out ideas and creating work I can be proud of. It got to the point where I was feeling frustrated and angry about the project.

I think sometimes, you have to learn not only when to persevere, but when to let go. So I let go.

And since then, I've nutted out a whole range of concepts. I've contacted people I've always wanted to shoot with (especially boys - I never do concept work with boys, and I'm going to change that) and had them bring their own ideas to the table. I've started to really figure out this flash triggering thing. And I'm feeling much better about it all.

I also realised that the reason I didn't shoot many concept shoots in 2009 was because I shot more theatre than I've ever done before - I was working pretty much constantly last year, and I'm super proud of many of the images. In case you're interested in how I earn my wage, I've got a portfolio of theatre and promo work up here: www.flickr.com/photos/sarahwalkerphotos .

So! 365 is no more in 2010. But stay tuned for concept work from a place of excitement and motivation, rather than begrudging duty! Haha.

Love to you all.

Description
I have quit 365.

Scandal! I dislike leaving things unfinished, but I realised recently that what I set out to do with this project, and what I actually ended up doing were very different.

When I did my self-portrait 365, in 2008, it was about getting to know my camera better, pushing me to shoot more, and making me familiar with how to develop and apply concepts, and in those regards it was a great success.

I looked back at the end of 2009, and realised that over the year, I'd done very few shoots with anyone, and felt very uncreative.

I envisaged that this project would force me to work with more people. It would force me to develop strong concepts, and use people other than myself to bring them to life. It would make me better at communicating to models what I wanted.

But I've found that this hasn't been the case at all. Because I'm crazy busy most of the time, and so is everyone else I know, scheduling concept shoots has been complex. I have found myself more and more just pulling at my camera at random intervals and shooting documentary-style, which is really not my forte. I have been filling space with uninspired self-portraits, instead of sitting down, nutting out ideas and creating work I can be proud of. It got to the point where I was feeling frustrated and angry about the project.

I think sometimes, you have to learn not only when to persevere, but when to let go. So I let go.

And since then, I've nutted out a whole range of concepts. I've contacted people I've always wanted to shoot with (especially boys - I never do concept work with boys, and I'm going to change that) and had them bring their own ideas to the table. I've started to really figure out this flash triggering thing. And I'm feeling much better about it all.

I also realised that the reason I didn't shoot many concept shoots in 2009 was because I shot more theatre than I've ever done before - I was working pretty much constantly last year, and I'm super proud of many of the images. In case you're interested in how I earn my wage, I've got a portfolio of theatre and promo work up here: www.flickr.com/photos/sarahwalkerphotos .

So! 365 is no more in 2010. But stay tuned for concept work from a place of excitement and motivation, rather than begrudging duty! Haha.

Love to you all.