Daily portraits make the world a smaller place

Photos

Dag 13

see larger image

uploaded by » SM ™

• 

  uploaded by » SM ™ | add comment

• 

  uploaded by MissyLKS8 | add comment

• 

  uploaded by center-of-the-universe | add comment

• 

  uploaded by Ryan Gessner | add comment

• 

  uploaded by dejahthoris | add comment

• 

  uploaded by chicfreaksali | add comment

• 

  uploaded by TopUpTheTea | add comment

• 

  uploaded by babblingdweeb | add comment

• 

  uploaded by babblingdweeb | add comment

• 

  uploaded by babblingdweeb | add comment

(Updated: Now includes interview with 365 creator, Chris Maverick)

Last year I saw something on Flickr about people taking a daily photo diary and I fell in love with the idea. The concept is to document your day with 5 photos [Group: A Day In The Life Of]; however, I just wasn't ready to take out my camera in the middle of a meeting and striking a pose. That didn't stop me from browsing the photo pool and reading about people's lives. For some online junkies this is the ultimate form of voyeurism -for others, they just want to feel connected. "Oh you work in a a cubicle too? We can't decorate ours...I'm so jealous!" -sure you could say that to a "real" friend, but if you haven't seen their cubical, you don't identify them with a cubical right away. No matter what the photo, odds are someone will have an emotional reaction due to finding something to identify with.

Why is that? People tend to open up more online and disclose more about themselves (or make up the information to sounds like they are telling
you more). Studies show that online there is 4 times as much
self-disclosure than face-to-face.* [footnote] After spending 12 years
online with social circles, I can attest that sure sounds reasonable to
me.

You don't need to be an online veteran to know the Internet has
billions of places to find just about anything you are looking for
-including people. From social networking, professional networking,
online games, blogs and email: globally we are becoming more connected. The more time you spend online the more the line is blurred between
your "real friends" and your "online friends".

At the first of the year I decided to join a project I had been lusting after, 365 Days. The idea: take a self portrait a day for 365 days. The rules are simple, you can use a tripod, timer, mirror, reflections...and if really necessary you can have a friend press the shutter -but they can't change the composition. For the most part, it's all on the honor system. So how many crazy people think they are so important the world wants to see their silly mug every day for the next year? 4,235 members. Sure, maybe there are that many members, but how many people are posting? As of today, there are 149,412 photos in the pool.

Unfortunately not everyone can pull off the project, it is a lot harder than it sounds. That's where "online friends" come in. 365 Days doesn't just start and stop with posting a photo, it's a support group for the often 365-creativity-drained souls that participate. We all have shutter-block (writer's block for the photographer) and the group has a ton of people, so statistically speaking someone has to have a ceative thought each day. The group has many mini-challenges which give you hints and ideas on slow days. Ideas like: You, a Refrigerator and a Selfportrait, Don't Forget Your Towel! (for the Hitchhikers Guide fans) and Post your vices are just a few of the many ideas.

I was fortunate enough to exchange emails with Chris Maverick, the 365 Group creator. Chris created the group in August 2006 after seeing many projects of the I'll stand here every day and take my photo for a year variety. (there are a lot more of those on the Internet than you might think!) However, it was Stephen Poff who directly inspired Chris with his Visual Diary over 2006. Additional members have joined who have been doing their own project before the group was created, they have some great stories and advice to pass onto the members trying to get over that "first hump and slump' of trying to be creative each day. After 200+ day, Chris has some words of wisdom...

"Some days are difficult, sure. But I'm far past the point of struggling with it. On a day where I don't feel like putting much effort in, I just don't. On a day where I do, I do. The hardest thing about the project I think is remembering every day, But the likelihood that I would forget after 294 days is unthinkable. Once you allow it to really become a part of your life, its quite easy, actually."

Also what makes the group so unique, everyone has their own approach. Some professional photographers have snapshots, while the amateurs try to go pro. I like seeing the relaxed approach by some, and the people who spend hours also offer a treat with their "wow!" effect photos. Even those who just post a photo that says "I'm out to lunch today, better photos tomorrow" crack me up.

"I think its interesting the differing ways in which people approach it. I know for me personally the amount of effort I put into any given day varies. Some days its a vast photoshoot, followed by hours of photoshopping that takes my whole day. Others its a simple snapshot. For me it's more about the self-dedication than anything else. But its interesting to see how others approach it. There is no wrong or right way, of course." (CM)

When looking back at some early group postings and comments from members it's easy to see how so many people can get wrapped up in the project. The personal stories from many telling why the do the project or how they have grown are just as amazing as watching their photography grow with them.

The end of this month will mark day 150 for me and many others that started the first of the year; but it only took a week to feel attached to the group and it's overwhelming support of me (or you) and my (or your) personal 365 journey. For many people in the group there is a sense of family and support that goes beyond photos. Many people have talked about their new diet, overcoming addiction, their improved self esteem, their favorite candy or their love of socks. Some post messages under their photos, some photos speak for themselves. This release and connection is one of the positive things Chris has gotten from the group; "It's more the general feeling of accomplishment through growing as an artist myself, and the gratitude I feel from others who tell me that the group has changed their lives, either through teaching them more about photography or giving them self-confidence, body acceptance, creativity, ect."

Everyone participates for their own reason, but many of us feel that attachment to one another after showing strangers a side of us we would never flaunt in public. Some members may be on the opposite side of the world, but they feel like they are on the opposite side of my bedroom wall.

August 12, 2007 will be the one-year anniversary for the group and mark the beginning of many 365-folks coming to the end of their project. Many say they will continue past 365, some auguring that it should be 366 days, others just looking forward to waking up another morning to continue to grow; as Chris put it "I'll probably continue past 365. As I said, right now, his is essentially part of my life. Waking up on day 366 and not taking a picture would just be weird."

Previously on NowPublic:

• It's Silly Faces Week every week for some of us

On Flickr:

• 365 Days (main group)
• 365 Explored (365 shots that made it to Flickr Explore)
• 365 Day Rejects (Shots that didn't make the cut)
  
• 52 Weeks (one self portrait per week)
• Project 365 Kids (Photo of your kid(s, per day)
  

Related:

• From
  MySpace to Digg: How Internet Psychology is Examining Social
  Bookmarking & Social Networking Sites: An Overview of a Growing
  Discipline in Psychology
  

* Understanding the psychology of online behavior: From content to
community; Arts Marketing Association, Glasgow, July 2002; Dr. Adam
Joinson

** Updated a bad link / Interview CM /