(Links to individual posts and credits for word submissions at the bottom of the page.)
A 365 Project is an creative endeavor in which a person produces one item per day (usually a photograph) for a year. For some photographers, the subject varies every day. Others may take a self-portrait per day or a photo of another specific subject or at a specific time (such as at breakfast or at 3:30 PM). Projects can range from purely documentary without any attention to aesthetics or technical skill, to highly intentional artistic work.
I have been interested in doing a 365 project for a while, but felt like I lacked the discipline to see it through, and also worried that daily practice would become burdensome and boring. In late December 2009, I had the idea to set the task of interpreting one word per day in order to give myself a more specific assignment. Having a set word would keep the project fresh and interesting, and would give me some structure while still remaining open-ended, because I could interpret the word in any way I wanted, in any place I happened to be. In order to prevent myself from generating words with specific images in mind, I asked blogreaders and Facebook Friends to submit words. On December 31, I copied all of the words submitted onto little strips of paper and put them into a clown hat. Every evening or morning my kids select a word for the day ahead. (I have since decided that one day per month, I can purposefully choose the word that comes out of the hat - a new rule I created on day 37 when I just *had* to share my snowflake pictures). Every day I take a photo with that word in mind. Most days I post it by evening here and in my flickr word of the day set.
(Update 3/7/10: I totally cheated this past week, had 68 hours during which I simply could not bear to touch a camera, and had one photoless post and one photo taken the day after the official day. Griff also declared the wotd on Sat 3/6. Whatever.)
(Update 7/11/10: As the year wears on, I have to admit, I'm getting bored. Sometimes I need a day in which I don't touch a camera. Some days it's nice to go wordless and just photograph whatever strikes my fancy. Some days we make up words rather than pulling one out of the hat. Some days I survey the words available and pick one that fits the day. Things will probably continue to evolve.)
On day 2, my seven-year-old son, Griffin, decided to join the project. He has since created something along with me nearly every day of 2010. I'm not sure if a mother/child team has ever done a 365 project together before, and I'm not going to make any promises that we'll both make it through the year, but so far this has been a really cool and unlooked-for bonding experience for us. We enjoy seeing how our images relate to each other; sometimes our minds go to the same place, sometimes they really don't.
(Update 7/11/10: obviously, Griff skips most days at this point, but it's nice when he sometimes jumps in, as he did during our Road Trip of Insanity, days 172-176.)
(Update 10/3/10: sometimes I make up the words. Sometimes you make up the words. Sometimes I just make up a word to go with a picture from today that I really liked. Sometimes I don't feel like taking any pictures at all. Whatever.)
I will be posting individual links to posts here, updating sporadically. You can always find the whole set of posts here, but I thought it would be nice to be able to go to a particular day and also to find out who submitted a word.
Thank you to everybody who has shared their word ideas with me! Every single word goes into the hat. We're always happy to add more, just post a comment on the blog or email me!
Day 1/365 - silly - Griffin
Day 2/365 - divinity - Patience S
Day 3/365 - fresh - Kat Z, Lynz M
Day 4/365 - cheezit - Jeff M
Day 5/365 - exuberance - Jen R
Day 6/365 - commence - Penny G
Day 7/365 - distraction - Jen R
Day 8/365 - fantastic - Patience S
Day 9/365 - funny - Griffin
Day 10/365 - quickening - Jen R
Day 11/365 - squiggles - Lynz M
Day 12/365 - proud - Patience S
Day 13/365 - lust - Patience S
Day 14/365 - bitchy - Patience S
Day 15/365 - inspiration - Lynz M
Day 16/365 - mad - Griffin
Day 17/365 - precocious - Jen R
Day 18/365 - bliss - Patience S
Day 19/365 - gratify - Andrea C
Day 20/365 - resonate - Jen R
Day 21/365 - checkered - Patience S
Day 22/365 - procrastinate - Kat Z
Day 23/365 - tasty - Sean & Jessa L
Day 24/365 - interminable - Jen R
Day 25/365 - pernickety - Andrea C
Day 26/365 - sesquipedalian - Sean & Jessa L
Day 27/365 - first - Chris S
Day 28/365 - insidious - Sean & Jessa L
Day 29/365 - bamboozled - Patience S
Day 30/365 - abundance - Jen R, Connie LB
Day 31/365 - kerfuffle - Andrea C
Day 32/365 - conundrum - Sean & Jessa L
Day 33/365 - chocolatey - Andrea C
Day 34/365 - monochromatic - Sean & Jessa L
Day 35/365 - languid - Jen R
Day 36/365 - comfort - Lynz M
Day 37/365 - dainty - Patience S
Day 38/365 - word - Jill C
Day 39/365 - contemplative - Jen R
Day 40/365 - fart - Sean & Jessa L
Day 41/365 - denuded - Jen R
Day 42/365 - begin - Penny G
Day 43/365 - perseverance - Lynz M
Day 44/365 - strength - Lynz M
Day 45/365 - superfluous - Sean & Jessa L
Day 46/365 - indulge - Kat Z
Day 47/365 - limits - Andrea C
Day 48/365 - affection - Jen R
Day 49/365 - traditional - Jen R
Day 50/365 - pissed - Patience S
Day 51/365 - lavish - Andrea C
Day 52/365 - flight - Jen R
Day 53/365 - wallow - Andrea C
Day 54/365 - anticipate - Jen R
Day 55/365 - wit - Lynz M
Day 56/365 - snarky - Jen R
Day 57/365 - covet - Patience S
Day 58/365 - peace - Sara H
Day 59/365 - agonizing - Heather P
Day 60/365 - big - Sarah AS
Day 61/365 - objective - Sara H
Day 62/365 - trickle - Jen R
Day 63/365 - vintage - Andrea C
Day 64/365 - leadership - Rodger H
Day 65/365 - ice cream - Griffin
Day 66/365 - rapture - Heather P
Day 67/365 - impatience - Jen R
Day 68/365 - regal - Patience S
Day 69/365 - green - Andrea C & Sarah AS
Day 70/365 - adroit - Sara H
Day 71/365 - crisp - Jen R
Day 72/365 - itchy - Jen R & Gayle S
Day 73/365 - grand - Patience S
Day 74/365 - zen - Lynz M
Day 75/365 - monopoly - Dan H
Day 76/365 - buffalo - Sean & Jessa L
Day 77/365 - management - Rodger H
Day 78/365 - purple - Lynz M
Day 79/365 - irony - Ginjer C
Day 80/365 - compose - Andrea C
Day 81/365 - deliberate - Heather P
Day 82/365 - vigilant - Sara H
Day 83/365 - soluble - Sara H
Day 84/365 - meditate - Sara H
Day 85/365 - orb - Jen R
Day 86/365 - trapped - Patience S
Day 87/365 - frilly - Sara H
Day 88/365 - pregnant - Kat Z
Day 89/365 - apocalyptic - Kat Z
Day 90/365 - lukewarm - Jen R
Day 91/365 - apathy - Sarah AS
Day 92/365 - stark - Jen R
Day 93/365 - whim - Andrea C
Day 94/365 - duality - Sara H
Day 95/365 - love - Jonah H
Day 96/365 - protracted - Sara H
Day 97/365 - duped - Patience S
Day 98/365 - metamorphosis - Connie LB
Day 99/365 - blustery - Renay H
Day 100/365 - happy - Sarah AS
Day 101/365 - new - Chris S
Day 102/365 - versatility - Rodger H
Day 103/365 - foofaraw - me!
Day 104/365 - birth - Sarah AS
Day 105/365 - tantric - Sara H
Day 106/365 - plush - Sean & Jessa L
Day 107/365 - fiery - Jen R
Day 108/365 - subtle - Jen R
Day 109/365 - springtime - Renay H
Day 110/365 - fragrance - Renay H
Day 111/365 - expectations - Connie LB
Day 112/365 - projected - Sara H
Day 113/365 - snuggles - Jen R
Day 114/365 - confidence - Rodger H
Day 115/365 - symmetry - Rodger H
Day 116/365 - love - Sarah AS
Day 117/365 - leisure - Jen R
Day 118/365 - gardening - Rodger & Renay H
Day 119/365 - small - Sarah AS
Day 120/365 - compassion - Sara H
Day 121/365 - chair - Rodger & Renay H
Day 122/365 - moment - me
Day 123/365 - realistic - Connie LB
Day 124/365 - liberate - Sarah H
Day 125/365 - table - Rodger & Renay H
Day 126/365 - daddy - Sarah AS
Day 127/365 - globular - Caitlin L
Day 128/365 - delectable - Caitlin L
Day 129/365 - fascinating - Lynz M
Day 130/365 - indubitably - Caitlin L
Day 131/365 - animal - Sarah AS
Day 132/365 - icy - Sarah AS
Day 133/365 - favorite - Sarah AS
Day 134/365 - hipster - Jen R
Day 135/365 - supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Sarah AS & Gayle S
Day 136/365 - maternal - Gayle S
Day 137/365 - garnish - Renay H
Day 138/365 - wicked - Connie LB
Day 139/365 - high jinks - Caitlin L
Day 140/365 - this - Sarah AS
Day 141/365 - halcyon - Caitlin L
Day 142/365 - anxious - Jen R
Day 143/365 - rumpled - Lynz M
Day 144/365 - figment - Jen R
Day 145/365 - brother - Sarah AS
Day 146/365 - malaise -
Day 147/365 - flit - Jen R
Day 148/365 - blithesomeness - Lisa P
Day 149/365 - mama - Sarah AS
Day 150/365 - smile - Sarah AS
Day 151/365 - odiferous - Caitlin L
Day 152/365 - rush - Kate S
Day 153/365 - frantic - Lynz M
Day 154/365 - baseball - Renay H
Day 155/365 - healthy - Gayle S
Day 156/365 - worthy - Lynz M
Day 157/365 - irreplaceable - Jen R
Day 158/365 - friend - Sarah AS
Day 159/365 - apparently - Jen R
Day 160/365 - break - Sarah AS
Day 161/365 - soft - Sarah AS
Day 162/365 - bright - Sarah AS
Day 163/365 - present - Sara H
Day 164/365 - flotsam - Holly M
Day 165/365 - curious - Lynz M
Day 166/365 - mobile - Jen R
Day 167/365 - wordless wednesday
Day 168/365 - heavy - Sarah AS
Day 169/365 - spark - Sarah AS
Day 170/365 - dive - me
Day 171/365 - daddy - me
Day 172/365 - adventure - me
Day 173/365 - exciting - Griffin
Day 174/365 - surprise - Griffin
Day 175/365 - five - Xander
Day 176/365 - animal - Griffin
Day 177/365 - spontaneity - me
Day 178/365 - survival - me
Day 179/365 - home - me
Day 180/365 - childish -
Day 181/365 - imageless wednesday
Day 182/365 - phantasm - Jen R
Day 183/365 - unlimited - me
Day 184/365 - calming - Lynz M
Day 185/365 - light - Sarah AS
Day 186/365 - rest - Sarah AS
Day 187/365 - mature - Sarah AS
Day 188/365 - oops!
Day 189/365 - dark - Sarah AS
Day 190/365 - gift - Sarah AS
Day 191/365 - embrace - Jenn R
Day 192/365 - shell - Sarah AS
Day 193/365 - flibbertigibbet - Jeri M
Day 194/365 - voracious - Caitlin L
Day 195/365 - new - Sarah AS
Day 196/365 - lethargic - Lynz M
Day 197/365 - inscrutable - Caitlin L
Day 198/365 - kind - Sarah AS
Day 199/365 - sad - Sarah AS
Day 200/365 - copious - Lynz M
Day 201/365 - sparkle - inspired by Shutter Sisters
Day 202/365 - wordless wednesday
Day 203/365 - clever - Gayle S
Day 204/365 - fool - Sara H
Day 205/365 - made - Sarah AS
Day 206/365 - yes - Sarah AS
Day 207/365 - stupendous - Gayle S
Day 208/365 - mischief -me
Day 209/365 - hard - Sarah AS
Day 210/365 - powerlessness - me
Day 211/365 - bare - Sarah AS
Day 212/365 - comfort - Sarah AS
Day 213/365 - homecoming - me
Day 214/365 - arise - Jen R
Day 215/365 - locupletative - Save the Words
Day 216/365 - hate - Sarah AS
Day 217/365 - weathered - me
Day 218/365 - nature - me
Day 219/365 - reflect - me
Day 220/365 - contentment - Connie LB
Day 221/365 - experience - me
Day 222/365 - milk - Sarah AS
Day 223/365 - wordless wednesday
Day 224/365 - grief - Sara H
Day 225/365 - encouragement - Gayle S
Day 226/365 - caffeination - me
Day 227/365 - nephew/cousin - Connie LB
Day 228/365 - duty - Rodger & Renay H
Day 229/365 - internal - me
Day 230/365 - triumphant - me
Day 231/365 - pathetic - Lynz M
Day 232/365 - innovative - Gayle S
Day 233/365 - joy-full - Gayle S
Day 234/365 - gifted - Gayle S
Day 235/365 - magnanimous - Gayle S
Day 236/365 - antique - Gayle S
Day 237/365 - mourn - Connie LB
Day 238/365 - reflection - Connie LB
Day 239/365 - no photo
Day 240/365 - no photo
Day 241/365 - wow - Gayle S
Day 242/365 - embody - me
Day 243/365 - sedate - Lynz M
Day 244/365 - preposterous - me
Day 245/365 - preschooler - me
Day 246/365 - babies - me
Day 247/365 - attachment - me
Day 248/365 - today - me
Day 249/365 - nefarious - me
Day 250/365 - sweet - me
Day 251/365 - professional - me
Day 252/365 - destiny - me
Day 253/365 - meandering - Whitney Z
Day 254/365 - window - Sarah AS
Day 255/365 - bucolic - Whitney Z
Day 256/365 - no photo
Day 257/365 - adaptation - me
Day 258/365 - no photo
Day 259/365 - literate - Gayle S
Day 260/365 - no photo
Day 261/365 - no photo
Day 262/365 - perseverance - Gayle S
Day 263/365 - superfluous - Gayle S
Day 264/365 - passing - me
Day 265/365 - no photo
Day 266/365 - no photo
Day 267/365 - no photo
Day 268/365 - constant - me
Day 269/365 - rust - me
Day 270/365 - resemble - me
Day 271/365 - eco-friendly - Gayle S
Day 272/365 - no photo
Day 273/365 - no photo
Day 274/365 - pennies
Day 275/365 - local
Day 276/365 - mirror
Day 277/365 - no photo
Day 278/365 - affirmation
Day 279/365 - no photo
Day 280/365 - wet
Day 281/365 - no photo
Day 282/365 - friendship
Day 283/365 - holiday
Day 284/365 - no photo
Day 285/365 - no photo
Day 286/365 - no photo
Day 287/365 - product
Day 288/365 - texture
Day 289/365 - hoedown
Day 290/365 - no photo
Day 291/365 - onomatopoeia
Day 292/365 - discovery
Day 293/365 - no photo
Day 294/365 - no photo
Day 295/365 - no photo
Day 296/365 - expression
Day 297/365 - no photo
Day 298/365 - no photo
Day 299/365 - no photo
Day 300/365 - ill
Day 301/365 - no photo
Day 302/365 - extinction
Day 303/365 - eclosure
Day 304/365 - haunted
Day 305/365 - no photo
Day 306/365 - no photo
Day 307/365 - no photo
Day 308/365 - no photo
Day 309/365 - translucent
Day 310/365 - no photo
Day 311/365 - no photo
Day 312/365 - no photo
Day 313/365 - no photo
Day 314/365 - contrast
Day 315/365 - no photo
Day 316/365 - small
Day 317/365 - harvest
Day 318/365 - cajole
Day 319/365 - no photo
Day 320/365 - no photo
Day 321/365 - competence
Day 322/365 - no photo
Day 323/365 - no photo
Day 324/365 - no photo
Day 325/365 - no photo
Day 326/365 - human
Day 327/365 - no photo
Day 328/365 - no photo
Day 329/365 - arthritic
Day 330/365 - bite
Day 331/365 - preparation
Day 332/365 - substitute
Day 333/365 - no photo
Day 334/365 - no photo
Day 335/365 - approach
Day 336/365 - santa
Day 337/365 - no photo
Day 338/365 - three
Day 339/365 - no photo
Day 340/365 - face
Day 341/365 - chill
Day 342/365 - isolation
Day 343/365 - winter
Day 344/365 - no photo
Day 345/365 - no photo
Day 346/365 - no photo
Day 347/365 - sentinel
Day 348/365 - no photo
Day 349/365 - winter
Day 350/365 - watch
Day 351/365 - no photo
Day 352/365 - no photo
Day 353/365 - miniature
Day 354/365 - np
Day 355/365 - np
Day 356/365 - royal
Day 357/365 - np
Day 358/365 - bake
Day 359/365 - matryoshka
Day 360/365 - eight
Day 361/365 - np
Day 362/365 - again
Day 363/365 - np
Day 364/365 - np
Day 365/365 - np
with grateful nods to these similar nominated words:
witty - Sara H
globe - Jen R
