Okay, it’s really starting to hit me that this blog is coming to an end. If I’m going to continue with another photography-related challenge for 2012, I need to figure it out fast! Next weeks post will likely be about all things Christmas (I am SO excited!) so I am using this week as a platform to ask for help! HELP ME!
I have loved doing this Project 52. It’s been such a fun journey for me. Especially now that the P52 Folder on my mac is almost filled with pictures from 2011 and the slideshow music has been chosen. What’s that you say? You don’t know how crazy I am about music montages? I love anything set to music. I’m serious. You could show me a picture slideshow of paint drying with the music set to Sarah Mclachlan’s “Angel” and I will be sobbing. The kids and I spent a good part of yesterday morning listening to music so I could find the most perfect song. I dropped the pictures into iPhoto and pressed the slideshow button and when the winning song came on, I cried. A lot. Obviously my goal with my P52 slideshow will not be to make you cry** (see disclaimer below) but the song just fits so well, I am giddy about it! I’ll post the slideshow in January. Now you have something awesome to look forward to.
So here’s where I need help. I tried putting a call out for different suggestions about how I could spice up a P52 for next year, but got very few responses. So, here are a few things I’m toying with. What I’d love, is for you to either leave me a comment telling me which idea you like best, or suggesting a new idea ( I am truly open for anything!).
1. Just go for it and attempt a Project 365 (you know the last time I tried this I lasted 1 day. That is not a typo). While I would (hopefully) take a picture every day, I wouldn’t blog about each picture in detail like I do now. Instead I’d write just one or two words under each picture.
2. A weekly themed P52- In early January I’d ask you all to submit themes which I will then use each week as inspiration for my picture. For example, themes could be colors, or emotions, or…… anything really
3. A-Z photo challenge. This wouldn’t be weekly, but it would still be fun. The object of this would be to take pictures of things that look like letters.
4. Scavenger Hunt. Again, this would require participation from you. I’d ask followers to submit things to be put on a list of 52 items which I would then hunt for each week.
Those are just a few of the ideas I’ve been bouncing around. Leave me a comment and let me know what YOU think! If you’ve been following this P52 blog but never comment, now’s your chance!
And, because I can’t close out a week without a picture. Here’s a series of Lila. She’s been on vacation all week and I’ve truly enjoyed her company. This girl makes me laugh like nobody else can. Yesterday, she took over my iPad and scrolled through all the pictures, completely mesmerized. I can’t remember the last time she was that quiet. The top picture is my official P52 photo.
**Disclaimer: I am lying. I want you all to cry.
Lot’s of good ideas. But just to add more thoughts to the mix, maybe you could vary the art form you chose. It seems to me you’d want a basic photo every time. With your kids as the focus, you could do emotions or some other broad category and give us music to go with it. I’d definitely encourage you to make music a strong part of this next project because it sounds like that is where your energy wants to go. . But maybe sometimes the picture inspires you to write instead or there is no music that fits. I encourage you to give yourself flexibility. As long as there is a central picture or theme, I’d chose a format that allows you to vary the rest if that’s possible. I love Blairs idea of an eventual book and I’d look into ways music could be encorporated later into a children’s book. I know books sometimes have C.D.’s that accompany it or even accompany the page. I’d see this project as background for an eventual children’s book.
I’ll be curious to see what you decide!
Maisie
I also don’t want the blog to stop. Most of your suggestions would fill me with anxiety…particularly #3. What a challenge. But I agree with everyone about your writing. It is fabulous so #1 is out, b/c that is only 1-2 words. I vote for one weekly experience that touches you emotionally, physically or intellectually.
Yes…I am one of those who loves your P52…but never comments…a lurker I think you called it one time! But today I have to comment…please, please you must continue to do this. I love your pictures and your stories! So P365 won’t do…we need your words! Can’t wait for the slideshow!! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family Danielle!
I agree with Blair. You have always had an amazing flare for writing. And I do not need music to make me cry…I am pretty sure a week has not gone by that I didn’t cry at your blog.
P.S. When Dickens wrote, it was in weekly installments, so you could be the new Dickens. Maybe make this for children a historical work….. i.e revolutionary war, civil war. Or go pure fantasy.
You may be sorry you asked!
Number one. You have to do something and not just let this go. How about a narrative that is fiction. I have always wanted you to do a children’s book. So do soemthing with weekly installments. I would make it for kids, ages 5-9. Maybe a mystery with clues in the photos. I will keep thinking as I don’t want these to stop. Great job. LB