milestones and gravestones

365 days of ShutterCal ... it (nearly) killed me, lol 😉

Today marks a bit milestone for me – I have just completed Day 365 of my 365-photo project on ShutterCal.  For anyone not familiar, it basically involves shooting and uploading one photo a day for an entire year … much more challenging than you could ever imagine, trust me.  (OK, well, for me anyway …).

Long before I started #30daysofbiking and #330daysofbiking, I started this little goal-setting photo project.  And while I really don’t understand what compells me to do this kind of stuff (???!), because it often drives me (and my family) crazy, I have to admit that I ultimately manage to take away so much more than I contribute.  I guess that is the answer to the previous question?

Contemplating this 365-day photo odyssey, I can say that ShutterCal …

• taught me what all of the buttons on my DSLR do, and how to use them (somewhat competently, anyway)
• introduced me to some incredibly talented, kind and amazing photographers – who did everything to keep me motivated, especially on the lame days
• considerably shortened the lifespan of my camera (a good thing?)
• made me covet “good glass” like a cyclist covets carbon fiber (or an Xtracycle ;))
• made me crazy
• made me look at everyday things in new ways
• made me consider how many ways there are to shoot a bicycle (and frustrated me while trying to come up with new ways)
• through the act of “doing”, taught me more about photography than any book, class, or workshop ever could
• made me crazy
• likely instilled a love-hate relationship with bicycles and old barns among most of my ShutterCal friends
• made me use a camera even when I didn’t want to
• introduced me to many Holsteins
• made me crazy(er)

I am now contemplating where to go from here.  Stop or continue?  Since this has become almost habit-bordering-on-addiction, I will probably continue on for a while.  I wonder which will give out first – me, or my camera?  Lol.

Meanwhile, wishing everyone a happy and spooky Halloween … and leaving you with a few Halloween-y shots.  Boo.

the very first day of my ShutterCal adventure - Day 1: Xtracycle pumpkin (2009)

in town; some people are very talented (at creeping me out) - #330daysofbiking, Day 187

#330daysofbiking Day 192 - riding past old cemeteries; Martha Smith (1833-1907)

Xtracycle, headstones, Lensbaby ... sometime over the summer, #330daysofbiking

ShutterCal Day 341 ... the colors of the day