Newbie Question: PaD Suggested Guidelines

[texasimages]

Hello all,

I've been on PBase for a little over a year after recently discoverying the joy of photography. After expressing a recent lack of inspiration, some of my shutterbug friends have talked me into a PaD gallery (PaD Gallery) to help me stretch myself a bit more and hopefully expand my horizons.

While I believe I get the general concept of a Photo-a-Day, what do you think are some of the unwritten guidelines for a PaD? Are the individual or do they apply to all? I'll list some of the ones I have chosen for myself:

1. I must take the photo (not my wife, friend, kiddo, cat, etc.)
2. The PaD image must have been shot on the day it is dated to be posted. (this helps keep me honest, and from slacking and using old stuff)
3. Camera to Web time cannot exceed 3 days. (again, to keep me honest)
4. I'll do this for at least 30 days

Are there others? Should there be some general guidelines out there, or are there some I am just missing?

Many thanks for the help as I start on this project.


- Jason

[jeremygood]

There's no rules. Some people take pride in posting a photo they took on that day. I did that for my first 100 days, but then I started lapsing and posting pictures I had taken in the last few days. I actually intend to start doing this more often. I filled two 1-Gig cards yesterday and have about 40 usable pics. I intend to use them in my PaD off an on to give myself a break.

Some people use the PaD to put their best pictures they've ever taken with no regard to the date the photos were taken.

Some people use a single gallery as their PaD, posting a new photo from a single photo shoot every day.

Some people post once a week or less.

Also, generally, people think of PaD in terms of one year, not one month (30 days). After one year, a lot of people take it easier and post only a few images a week, if that.

Welcome and best of luck. To get votes and comments on your photos, it is recommended that you go and comment and vote on other people's PaDs, this will make them aware of your work.

Jeremy

[slowpokebill]

Those are pretty much the guidelines I have for myself and I have been living by for 15 months.

I take a photo each day and it is posted on that day.

When traveling I still take picture each day and then post them with that date when I get back.

I try to get the photo posted to the web on the day taken but sometimes that may run into the wee hours of the next morning.

It's been fun and I have bent those rules very rarely.

Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill

[texasimages]

Thank you very much for the replys. I am hoping to start a habit by setting my sites at 30 days, and hoping to go from there to a year. I appreciate the feedback and ideas!

- Jason

[annayu]

Jason, the most important rule is to Have Fun. You have a cat that takes pictures, btw???

[floradoragirl]

Rules can be good...I know if my goal wasn't to take a picture every day, then I'd give up pretty quickly. I know this because I tried to relax a bit after my first year of padding was completed and as a result my pad practically stopped. So, I got back on the wagon and try to do a picture each day.

But, I would say, don't get too hung up on your rules. what if you go away on vacation for example...and can't post within three days of taking the picture? Rules are good guidelines on a project like this, but don't allow the rules to dominate, the main thing is to have fun, get the most out of it you can and get to know your camera better.

Good luck with your padding!!

[camera0bug]

There are no hard and fast rules except the ones you make.

Sometimes it's impossible to post every day so you post two images at different times on the same day to make up for the one you forgot or couldn't post the day before.

Picking the time to post can be a crapshoot as well. Do I post for the European audience early in the morning (from the West Coast) or do I go with real time for NYC or Los Angeles?
It's your little experiment to investigate.

I take so many photos that I get far behind in my post processing work and so will post a new or current image in my PAD daily and sometimes add them later into an existing or new gallery. No one says you have to post from that particular day.

I've seen people post several PAD shots a day (hmmm? are they catching up or just spamming their photos?)
Post old photos reworked slightly.
Post last year's photos again
Post someone else's photos but reworked (hopefully with that photographer's permission)
and post replacement photos after they decided they didn't like the first one they posted.

Like a swimming pool, you jump in, get wet and then start doing laps with
the other swimmers.

;^)

[adalberto_tiburzi]

... and post replacement photos after they decided they didn't like the first one they posted.

If it reads "the first one YOU posted", then...

[camera0bug]

Adal CAN be confusing at times.

[texasimages]

1. I must take the photo (not my wife, friend, kiddo, cat, etc.)
2. The PaD image must have been shot on the day it is dated to be posted. (this helps keep me honest, and from slacking and using old stuff)
3. Camera to Web time cannot exceed 3 days. (again, to keep me honest)
4. I'll do this for at least 30 days

- Jason

Well, I have made it past the 30 days and am going for the full year. So far I think I have only missed 3 days since mid June, which is not too bad considering how life goes . I have stuck to the rules, though I may have stretched the 3 day limit a day or two extra, which is not a big deal.

Overall, the experience has been very helpful, and I have learned a lot through the process with much more to come I am sure. Here are a few of the things I have observed so far:

1 - Every shot does not have to be art, but it should either be interesting or help me learn more about photography or Photoshop. Even a mundane object can become interesting if I learn a new trick in PS. Here's an example of a shot like this (my soup at lunch, certainly not inspring):
http://www.pbase.com/texasimages/image/48434282

2 - I don't have to use my DSLR on every shot..it won't get offended if I use a P&S camera. In fact, because of my PaD and other reasons I invested in a smaller P&S camera (Canon S70) that still takes RAW and sorta fits in my pocket, which has allowed me to catch many more shots than I would have otherwise!
3 - Missing a day of PaD is not the end of the world. This is something I do for fun and education, so I should not let it add any stress to my life.

Well, thats about it. I thought I would post an update for those who have helped me get this far, and I hope to learn more as I go!

- Jason

[lindarocks]

Just enjoy it and hope that it makes you more imaginative and creative....

That's what I've done and it's worked for me.

Personally I do take a shot every day and find that pushing myself when I really don't feel like it or don't have time is a useful exercise. Sometimes on those days I find I take some of my best pics, other times I post things I'm not particularly proud of but at least I've tried.

It can be frustrating, uplifting or overwhelming on occasions but the best bit is the sense of personal achievement and the ability to look back and remember life as it was for you months or years ago.

Good luck, Linda

[newtothescenery]

Why dont you also add:

5) NO SEX FOR 30 DAYS
6) NO FRIENDS FOR 30 DAYS
7) NO FOOD FOR 30 HOURS
ONLY PICTURES PICASSO WOULD APPROVE
9) ONLY PICTURES VAN GOGH WOULD APPROVE
10) ONLY PICTURES BUSH WOULD HATE

LOLOL, IM JUST BREAKING YOUR BALLS, BUT YOU GET THE GIST, NO

Hello all,

I've been on PBase for a little over a year after recently discoverying the joy of photography. After expressing a recent lack of inspiration, some of my shutterbug friends have talked me into a PaD gallery (PaD Gallery) to help me stretch myself a bit more and hopefully expand my horizons.

While I believe I get the general concept of a Photo-a-Day, what do you think are some of the unwritten guidelines for a PaD? Are the individual or do they apply to all? I'll list some of the ones I have chosen for myself:

1. I must take the photo (not my wife, friend, kiddo, cat, etc.)
2. The PaD image must have been shot on the day it is dated to be posted. (this helps keep me honest, and from slacking and using old stuff)
3. Camera to Web time cannot exceed 3 days. (again, to keep me honest)
4. I'll do this for at least 30 days

Are there others? Should there be some general guidelines out there, or are there some I am just missing?

Many thanks for the help as I start on this project.


- Jason

[newtothescenery]

IN OTHER WORDS; MY ADVICE IS TAKE IT EASY. ONE SHOT AT A TIME. ITS OK TO SET TEDIOUS GUIDELINES TO SCULPT THAT PERFECT PAD - BUT WHATS THE FUN IN THAT? THE FUN THAT YOU HAVE WILL ALSO SHOW IN YOUR PHOTOS. GOOD LUCK

[texasimages]

IN OTHER WORDS; MY ADVICE IS TAKE IT EASY. ONE SHOT AT A TIME. ...

Well, a year is up, and I've completed my year of PaD! I decided to end on the 30th to make up for a few missed days through the year. Thanks to the suggestions below, and for the many comments from y'all over the last year. Here are a few things I learned:

1. Always have a camera with you. You WILL kick yourself for missing that great shot.
2. If the day is coming to an end, and you don't have a shot, pick a spot to stand in your house, yard, or neighborhood and take 20 shots. You will be amazed at what creativity will come out!
3. If your subject isn't fleeting, take your shot, then move to a new angle and take another. Repeat. Repeat again. You will learn more about your photographic style this way.
4. Like many of you said after my post...don't stress...it's just a PaD, and it's here for you to learn.
5. For me at least, I need much of the structure I put in my first post to keep on track...but that isn't a requirement. PenT "Picture every now and then" works too!

For those who are curious, here is my final month:
http://www.pbase.com/texasimages/pad[/url]

[adalberto_tiburzi]

Adal CAN be confusing at times.

Ah yes, "the first one THEY posted" now I get it.
The subject was "I've seen people..."

Quote of the day:
"Great is the confusion under the sky of Pbase"
Mao ZeDong (updated)