A friend recently sent me a link to Project 365 — a photography community and challenge to take one photo a day for a year. In this way, you improve your photography while simultaneously documenting each day of your life.
So I began documenting my life with photos this past Saturday. Since then, I’ve had some really lovely, relaxing days, but I can’t say anything of huge import and significance happened. We didn’t hike the Incan trials of Peru. There were no death defying adventure treks. The best moment of my weekend involved a little yoga and a really excellent cup of coffee while swinging in the hammock.
But isn’t that what so much of our lives tend to be? We have our highs and lows, but in between, there are what I like to call the ordinary everyday joys.
I’ll Show You A Couple of Mine
I bought this pepper plant at the Salta municipal market about two months ago. Until recently, I’d always lived in apartments and small spaces, so the idea of growing a plant and actually watch it sprout something edible amazes me.
The bushy plant behind the pepper is thyme. I plucked some leaves from it to use in a pinto I made for lunch.
Silly little finger puppet. We had Couchsurfers from Portugal staying with us this weekend. They made these puppets with Lila — my five year old — while I chopped the garlic and thyme. The puppet was a decoration for a birthday present. We went to three, yes, three little girls’ birthday parties this weekend.
Now Show Us Yours
We here at Matador Life want to know more about what happens day-to-day in the lives of our readers and our community, so we’re calling for Matadorians to send in photos and share with us the things — big or small — that are important to you. We’ll post our favorites here on Matador Life.
How To Submit: Choose a photo and email your image to leigh@matadornetwork. Your photo should be at least 1000 pixels at its largest dimension. Tell us a little about the day it was taken. Please use This Is What I Did Today! in your subject line.
Also include: Your Matador ID name and personal website.
Due Date: Ongoing project. Keep ‘em coming.
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18 Comments... join the discussion!
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Finger puppet is awesome…pondering pics around me…
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I know what you mean. Thinking about taking one photo that will represent my day makes me see things in my day differently.
Suddenly, each little thing begins to take on more significance. Like… How proud I am of that pepper. And on the other side, things like finger puppet crafts are such a regular part of my life, I think I take them for granted. Seeing it online like that and then hearing people’s reactions made it seem more significant somehow.
I posted this as an idea for Life, and in only two days, people’s reactions — including a few really wonderful submissions — have completely changed the way I see this. In a really good way.
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I love this. Can’t wait to see all the beautiful everyday moments.
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I know. Me too.
I hope you’re thinking of submitting too. Maybe your new house. Piano lessons. I hear these little snippets of your life, but a photo can sometimes make things so much more real.
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Looove this idea!
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I’m a big fan of Project 365 but have always been too intimidated to take the challenge. I mean, a whole year! Maybe this will help push me into it.
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Oh, Hal, do I ever know what you mean. The idea of taking one photo every single day and then cataloging and keeping track of it? (Ok, I know the camera keeps time/date stamps, but still).
I figure if I don’t do every day, I’m ok with that. But the more I do it, the more I want to do it.(OK, so i missed yesterday and haven’t taken anything yet today).
I’m really excited about the submissions we’ve received so far, though. I think we’ll post the first one next week.
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this is a wonderful idea….whoever thought of this gets a raise!
Look for mine soon!↵ -
Whoo hoo!! A raise!
Can’t wait to see what you send in.
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Great idea! I, too, have never been brave enough to do the 365 challenge even though I take photos every day. I think it’s the daily uploading that puts me off! I can’t wait to see what people submit here.
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Oh! Marie Szamborski (@Shantiwallah on Twitter) has an amazing little series on her blogs that fits right in!
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Hi, Leigh!
Your piece really inspired me and a couple of days ago i joined Project 365 – it’s challenging, it’s interesting, it’s fun!! Thanks so much for the great idea!!
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Hi, Leigh!!
Your post really inspired me! A couple of days ago i jouned Project 365 – it’s challenging, it’s interesting, it’s fun! Thank you for the great idea!
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I walked snow covered hillsides where my favorite wildflowers will be blooming in about a month and then came home to explore my garden where the leaves of the fall crocus are emerging like miniature skunk cabbages.
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Today I asked a friend with two young children and another friend 85, to join me in a project I found through a link on Twitter – The U.S. EPA, the Dance Exchange and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are sponsoring a poetry, essay, photography, and dance contest “that best expresses the Sense of Wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes.” The requirement for entries is that at least 2 people are from different generations. We’re going to write an essay together after we share a day hiking in wildflowers for our Senior Center.
I read Rachel Carson’s “Sense of Wonder” years ago and was delighted to find this contest and project!
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Sweet stuff! You’ve got me looking at the world in a different way now.
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You’ve got me looking at the world in a whole new way now. Time to get that camera out-the world is so beautiful, even on a rainy day like today!
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