When is Photo A Day really Photo A Day?

[kcrowd]

First of all I would like to thank everyone in advance for allowing me to express my opinion. And it is just that, an opinion. So here goes:

I started a PAD gallery January 1st this year, my first time. This past February marked my third year posting work on Pbase although I started looking at images from the sidelines in 2004. I have been totally blown away by many photographers around the world whose work I have seen on this site. I’ve been inspired and challenged by what I’ve seen and I am a better photographer today as a result.

Concerning PAD galleries in particular, I have been surprised with the inconsistencies in the interpretation of what “Photo A Day” means. In all that time I guess I naively assumed that when a person had a gallery called Photo A Day, that it meant just that. They were taking on the challenge of producing a photo with “some merit” every day of the year, and posting those images in that particular gallery.

Part of what has influenced my thoughts on this topic was the project that National Geographic photographer, Jim Brandenburg, embarked on in 1998. He gave himself a nearly impossible challenge of literally shooting only one photograph a day for 90 days in the North Woods near his home in Minnesota. Brandenburg was shooting with color transparency film which has a narrow exposure latitude. It is not a forgiving film in terms of under or overexposure.

Years ago, when I first read about his project, and saw his book, I was in total awe. Really. What he had done was so very impressive. Not only were his images exposed correctly, without any bracketing at all, most of them were magnificent works of art. If you are not familiar with his work please Google Jim Brandenburg, Chased by the Light.

He gave himself one frame of film a day. The exposure and the timing had to be on the money for every photograph for 90 consecutive days. Now that is truly a photo a day! We, on the other hand are allowed to take several, if not dozens, if not hundreds of photographs each day and then pick our best image.

In the history of photography, the equipment we have to work with today would be miraculous to the early practitioners. In the early years, exposure times were long, processes very tedious and complicated, and the cameras were very cumbersome. Today’s digital cameras make the process of producing images embarrassingly simple. I am very aware that it still takes a creative person to make an interesting image, but the physical effort required today is a very small fraction of what it used to be.

My dad taught me how to process black and white film when I was quite young, and having worked as a darkroom technician many times in my life, I have processed thousands of rolls of film and printed many thousands of photographs, both color and black & white. I have printed 30”x40” color prints from 8”x10” color transparency images made from satellites. Just getting 30x40 inch paper out of the box onto the printing easel without crimping it is an art form. It is so much easier with digital.

With these things in mind, I almost have to laugh when I read postings from PADers saying that they don’t have time to take one photograph every day. That their lives are just too busy. I work full time and teach part time, and decided to take on the worthy challenge trying to make a photograph with some merit every day for my gallery.

I will be the first to admit that not every picture in my gallery is a prize winner, but that is not the point. The point is, that I have not missed a day yet, and I am working very hard not to.

The pressure is on every day to produce. Rain or shine, happy or sad.

Do the best you can every day. That is all that is required. Even if it’s crap.

The reward in the end is that you will be a better photographer because you have forced yourself to play the scales and etudes that musicians play when they practice every day.

I actually thought that when I started my PAD gallery I was joining an exclusive club. A club that has dues. The dues to this organization are to take at least one photograph each day for a year, pick your best shot and put that in your gallery. It seems fairly straight forward.

Now that I am in the club I realize that there are many members that have forgotten to pay or are refusing to pay their dues. That to me is frustrating and I believe it is an embarrassment to the name of the project, to the past efforts of photographers like Brandenburg, the efforts of Pbase photographers past and present who fulfilled and are fulfilling the obligations of the challenge, and last but not least, to the difficult and challenging history of photography itself.

I have been teaching a college course in photography since 2001. The first day of class every semester I ask the following question. “Can you make an interesting photograph in the classroom we are in?” The students look around for a few seconds, and then most of them start nodding their heads and say “yes.” This is the first of many times during the semester that I try to impress upon my students that creative image-making possibilities are always around us, no matter where we are. Sometimes we just have to really look for them. At the end of the semester, I also cover the history of photography so they can better appreciate what has gone on before them.

To actually produce a “Photo A Day” is very different than making a “Photo Every So Often” or a “Photo A Day, Almost,” etc, etc. You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it.

That is why there is a special listing at the top of the Pbase page to link to Photo A Day galleries. If at some point I stop producing a true Photo A Day, I will remove myself from being listed in the Photo A Day galleries, out of respect for the dedication it takes to actually qualify to be a member of the group.

Today, the qualifications to be listed are almost non-existent.

Please understand, I am not trying to take the fun and enjoyment out of photography for anyone. What I am trying to do is to encourage everyone to keep the challenge in, for one particular type of gallery. Take at least one picture every day for a year and post the best one from that day. Anything less is not a Photo a Day gallery by definition.

Thank you for letting me express my feelings.

Ken Crowder

[johnwaine]

This is the second such thread on the subject in recent weeks, and there are many many more in the past.

Photography/Pbase/PAD is what you want it to be as long as you don't hurt others.

Some of us have enough 'pressure' in our normal lives without introducing it to our hobby!

So for me the guiding principle is have fun with your photography and enjoy it - and if some rules get broken then great!

[kcrowd]

In all honesty, I am not out to try to stop anyone from enjoying photography. I partake in it, I teach it, and I love it. It has been one of the most important things in my life. I guess that is one of the reasons I have not approached starting a PAD lightly. Call me old fashioned if you want to. I only started my PAD this year with the idea of really trying to do it and do it right for all of the reasons listed above.

One of the payoffs for me in doing it "right" has been an offer to have a show of my work in one of the revolving galleries in the Oklahoma State Capital building for two months this summer. I would have felt a little odd in calling it a Photo A Day project, and then not really doing that. I'm doing my best at it and am not ashamed to say that.

This is the feeling I have gotten from some of the posts I have read in response to my post and to posts made by others: "Don't bother me with the facts of what a PAD should be, just let me do it my way, and let me have fun doing it wrong."

If I were to compare it to my classroom, it would be like saying "Everybody gets an A, just for showing up. No reason to work really hard for a good grade, because half of the people who signed up for the course (voluntarily by the way) decided that they really didn't have time to do the homework involved, and didn't want to deal with the "pressure" of taking tests.

That is what we call "auditing" a course. You can learn and enjoy the information but it doesn't go on your transcript because you did not fulfill all of the requirements of the course. It seems like many people who have PAD galleries are trying to "audit the course", buy yet are demanding to be given an actual grade and a listing on their transcript just like everybody else who fulfilled all of the requirements. Seems unfair in the classroom, and it seems unfair here.

I guess I will just have to politely agree to disagree.

Ken

[1designguy]

I'll chime in. I understand where you are coming from. I think you and I entered into this "experiment" with similar understandings, goals and desires. I have valued each step in the journey of my PaDding experience. Has it been an easy "flat" road? No. Have my daily offerings been consistently good? No. Have I grown? EXPONENTIALLY (what an accelerated learning curve digital photography is)!!!

I had high expectations (of myself) when I decided to jump into this experiment. I do however understand the pressures (we often put on ourselves) that come with trying to stick to this experiment religiously. There have been times since I started in 2004 that I have felt spent and have taken breaks between PaDding years to refocus before starting back up. I have (out of respect for my goals of learning and growing) stuck to my own rules which are pretty much as you have described them. I have maintained friendships started as a result of joint participation in this endeavor. I have witnessed many changes in the PaD community over these almost five years.

I have often called out others who have regularly used the PaD metagallery as a forum for exposure for archived work. I have tried to avoid interaction in the "vote whoring" that has been a steady force here. I have always been willing to consider others perspectives on these annoying issues.

I hear where John is coming from. Many of my favorites have a much more relaxed PaD take. I still benefit from their interaction, encouragement and inspiration. I would never expect them to hold to any of my self-imposed rules. They are simply there to keep me on course. Feel free to see them for yourself. I have had them at the top of my PaD gallery for several years.

All the best. I hope this adventure continues to bring you closer to your desired ends!

Scott

[bobfloyd]

I have worked at it both ways...the constant drive to get something shot and posted every day and the more relaxed "when I can get something worth posting without stressing myself or my family" take. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

I started this year with the goal of hitting everyday for a year. To that end, I used the week before New Year's as a warm up and hit the ground running on the First. I did really well until late Feb when I started getting hammered between work and home (we were expecting our second child). My computer spent several days down while I moved my office from one room to another and I could not post. I kept shooting but nothing was getting added. After I got the computer back up I started trying to catch up. That is tough to do.

By the middle of March when our daughter was born, it was all over. Not happening at the moment. In the last 7 weeks there have been more days where the camera only got picked up to move it out of my way than days I picked it up to use it.

I don't tell you this to convince you your position is wrong. In fact, I feel the same way for the most part. However, I have had to make decisions about what was important and even though I don't like it photography often comes out behind my job, my wife, my two girls and other obligations. I will make a certain effort to get a PAD shot, without a doubt, but I refuse to put a hobby on the same level with my livelihood or my family.

I have been doing this on and off now for nearly 4 years. While I regret not completing a solid year yet, I do not regret participating even though I knew doing it "right" was something of a long shot for me. Without it, I would not have the great group of friends here at Pbase who now offer support and honest critique of my work and I would not trade those friendships for the best 4 years of PAD work in all of history.

[bassrock]

Interesting post Ken, and obviously a well discussed topic over the 5 years I have been here.

Just one question, for you and others taking a 'hard line' does PAD mean to take or to take and upload a picture day ?

The upload part is the key as far as I am concerned. As I travel often on business (typically 2 or 3 nights per week away from home) I might be able to take a picture each day but I can only upload when I am at home because my works laptop I take with me is locked from adding new software (e.g. photoshop) and from access to sites like PBase because of the increasing nudity etc. It seems to me that the PAD gallery won't allow and show retrospective uploads - e.g. 3 or 4 pictures in one day to 'catch-up' so to speak.

So if it is take and post a picture a day, then that practically impossible for me. That is the reason I moved to picture every so often (PESO).

Bill

BassRockPhotography.com

[kcrowd]

Just a quick reply. I have never believed or felt that you must post your photos every single day. To me, that IS a non issue.

Jim Brandenburg did not know what he had until the 90 days were over.

I usually post the day of but have not always been able to myself. My feeling has always been, post it as soon as you can. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to post a weeks worth on one day if you have traveled or were extremely busy. People who travel a lot can still take every day like you said. I don't think the gallery is called "A Post a Day".

By the way, I appreciate the thoughtful discussion.

Ken

[timbg]

The first year I did PAD, I did it right - one picture taken each day for 365 days no matter what. It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun.

Since then, I have gotten lazy. Some months are complete and some months are not even worthy of PESO!

I think the reason I and many others continue to have a PAD gallery is because Pbase highlights PAD galleries when you push the galleries button at the top of any page. It is an easy and selfish way to keep your photos in the limelight. Many people will see your work who otherwise would not, just because you occasionally show in PAD.

[imorozoff]

Interesting discussion and am aligned with Scotts comments.

I'm into the first month of my second year of PaDing and when I discovered this place I assumed everyone went out, took a photo and posted it every single day! I did exactly that during my first year - and did it for my own reasons such as to train my eye, learn about my camera, and develop a skill set that I could be proud of.

Now that I'm in my second year of doing theme-based PADs (which I love doing by the way), I've learned to relax and take a few extra shots for those "just in case days" where you simply can't go out due to illness, travel, weather or other events that take place in our busy real lives.

Like someone else said a while back, I won't be a slave to PADding, but I'll continue to take, post and participate in monthly themes using freshly taken photos.
My PAD contains +/- 85% "same day" photos, but do contain photos that were taken within a 2 - 4 day window and I'm ok with that.

This is a workable solution for me, and enables me to engage with these wonderful folks without feeling guilty that I haven't played fair.

[bassrock]

Here is another thought. I do PAD that has become PESO but I keep meaning to get back to PAD for more discipline. However, I do not have a single PAD gallery on PBase. Instead, what I do is change which gallery I define to be my PAD gallery according to the subject. So if I take a picture of a city when travelling I put it into my 'Places' gallery and nominate that as PAD gallery for the day. Next time I may take a picture of my dog and put that in another gallery and change the PAD gallery nomination to match. The reason for this is I found that few people look at old PAD galleries but they do look at older themed galleries. The downside is that if people come to my profile for the first time they will not realise I have done PAD/PESO on and off for 4 years so the 'audit trail' fails. Just a thought and comment - not a recommendation - I am curious if I am unusual in organising my pictures this way.

Bill

BassRockPhotography.com

[kcrowd]

It is very obvious that there are as many different approaches to PAD's and photography in general as there are people involved.

It seemed like their was something I had to get off my chest and I thank you for allowing me to do that.

I have not had time to look at everyone's work that has posted here, this is finals week, and am also busy at work, but I will soon. Thank you for your thoughts.

In the end, I think that most people on Pbase are trying to express to others some of their visions, thoughts and ideas. Thank you for sharing yours.

With respect, Ken

[barbara_heide]

I've joined pbase in March 2006. Since then I have been taking photographs every day.
As I like to work on a continuous theme, I might not post a "fresh" picture everyday, even if it is in the box, because I prefer an other one...
My camera is broken and the repair will last for at least 5 weeks. If I feel like, I work on older photographs and load them up... without feeling "guilty"!
I can see your point: a question of "auto discipline"...
Every one does as he feels about it. As a fully addicted photographer, it is very difficult for me, not to shoot every day. But what I do is for my own pleasure and not to prove to someone else, that I'm able to do it.
Please let people decide themselves how they do it, it doesn't really matter to you, or take away glory of those "pure" PADers...

don't forget to have fun

cheers
Barbara

[laryl]

I've done pad galleries for a few months here and there, over the years. I've paid some dues and I guess felt it was ok to tag my "newest images" which is now a photo every week at least, as my pad. I see the point about a pad not being a pad but don't see the point in pointing it out unless it is to say hey if you aren't doing a PURE paD then take your tags off the gallery you have it on!

I posted 3 images at once a few days ago. 1 image showed up in the recent pad images and so people came to see it. That image has 42 views while the other two were not viewed even ONCE until today, so those views were not due to the pad at all. People came to see the pad image, clicked in on it and left... or not, the stats show other images have views each day.

I use the recent pad page to scan and see what's new on pbase. Sometimes something catches my eye, either the photo or a familiar name I haven't visited in awhile. I click on it and go see what's up. I don't care if they are doing a pad or peso or what.. I am here to view images, not get all impressed with who is doing a firm paD or not. It's about photography for me so I hope people that aren't doing a firm paD don't feel pressure to take their pad tags off galleries that are not purist pads... I sure am not going to.

[jypsee]

I've been using Pbase since Feb 2004; I have 4900+ photos online, so I guess I'm well over 1 a day photographic wise. In the over 50 years that I've been making photographs there have been whole months when I haven't lifted a camera to my eye. But, somehow in all that time I've managed to hone my skills and develop a certain type of eye and so on and so forth.... personally, I find the whole attitude and idea of some sort of line I should toe if regarding how I use my paid for space (including the gallery I call "semidaily") on this site to be purely ridiculous, as well as presumptuous. No matter how much you make the disclaimer, Ken Crowder, that you are merely expressing your opinion, the fact that you choose to post your opinion here is heavy with judgement and characterization. You aren't the first person to come out with your angst about how the rest of us post, and I'm sure you won't be the last.

Mary in SW Florida, USA

[kcrowd]

I tried to summarize some thoughts on my "last" post on May 6th, but it seems I did not do it very well. I just edited out a description of a photo caption on my original May 6th post which was not necessary for this discussion. I will say it as plainly as I can.

I have come to realize that I can demand certain things of myself, that I may not or should not demand of others. I have had correspondence with others expressing my desire for them to continue posting in their own way. I obviously cannot do this personally with everyone that has read my posts.

I entered this year working on a PAD with a "pure heart". I have always assumed that the others posting PAD's were coming from the same place. I am probably guilty of expecting others to take the challenge as literally as I have. I probably reached the point of making my original post when I realized that many of the galleries that I was clicking on under the PAD galleries did not lead to a gallery pertaining to PAD at all. The more I paid attention to this the more I realized that a lot of galleries listed seemed to have nothing to do with PAD. It almost seemed embarrassing to the whole concept of it all. I honestly thought the concept deserved more respect than that. I never meant to disrespect any Pbase photographer.

In the end, I would have to agree that friendships people have formed through Pbase as a result of at least trying to do a PAD are more important than a "strict" enforcement of the concept. What really bothered me was seeing so many galleries not even pretending to be a PAD. Again, it seemed embarrassing to the concept. This will be my final post on this, as I will be busy like the rest of you, taking photos.

Again, with respect, Ken