Project 365 – Done!

125 Comments By Rick Nunn

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So let me give you a little background, 365 days ago I didn’t have a digital single lens reflex camera, or even a film single lens reflex camera, or any ‘proper’ sort of camera, in fact I had never had one. I’d some experience with them growing up, my dad has always had good cameras which I used from time to time, & they were covered at college when I was studying design but that was it really. Previous to buying my first dSLR I had a Panasonic FX-30, which was a really nice compact camera but I only ever used it for snapshots, actually photo #001 was taken on that very camera as at that point I still didn’t have a ‘proper’ camera, I did however have plans to acquire one…

#016 ~ The Obligatory Self Portrait

On the 2nd of January 2009, being freshly paid for a freelance project, I wandered down to my local branch of LCE to see what they had on offer. Lucky for me they had just the camera I wanted, a Canon 450D with the 18-55 kit lens, I also managed to get them to throw in a Canon 430ex Speedlite for a very reasonable price. It wasn’t until this day that it crossed my mind to do a 365 project. I thought it would be a great way to keep the camera in my hand & speed up the learning process. Conveniently I had been taking some photos the day before on my FX-30, meaning I could run my 365 from January 1st to December 31st (It just felt right).

I instantly fell in love with my new 450D, she went every where with me & it didn’t take me long to start picking up extra bits for her, like the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens & grip. Around February I found myself getting a hunger for a film camera, I got a 35mm Fisheye Lomo for my birthday & on the 20th of February I picked up a 1983 Canon AE-1 from a camera stall at a local market. Shooting film is fantastic, I realised how much it makes you value each photo. I think I soon translated that, at least to some degree, to my digital photography.

#051 ~ AE-1 Program

It also didn’t take me long to get interested in off camera flash, aka Strobist photography. I’m a bit of a control freak, so being able to set up all the light in a scene really appealed to me. But holy shit, that stuffs confusing for a n00b! Seriously, I spent hours & hours reading EVERYTHING I could find on the internet trying to make sense of any of it. There is certainly a lot more information about it on the web now than there was 10 months ago. In fact, online classes
focusing on photography are now being offered by reputable schools. The first product to aid my strobist adventure was the Canon ST-E2, which is an infrared transmitter capable of firing any of the current range of Canon speedlites while retaining the ETTL system. I quickly found that the ST-E2 (That name just rolls off the tongue) was quite limiting, being infrared it relies on line-of-sight & it doesn’t have a huge amount of range.

#059 ~ Strobist

So I did some more research & got some radio transmitters, these gave me range but meant that I had to run any flashes on manual. That was ok, at this point I was already making sure I was taking every photo with my camera on full manual. Manual equals control, Rick likes that, in fact now when I use my ST-ET I use the flash on manual just to get that extra level of control. Light stands & light modifiers were the next logical step for me, umbrellas made the most sense as they were easy to get hold of & affordable. Since then I’ve had quite a few different umbrellas but recently I picked up some pretty large umbrella boxes which I really love. They like a softbox, but in umbrella form — awesome.

#132 ~ Bomb Hills Not Countries#141 ~ Sam

At the beginning of June an old family friend, who just happens to be a photographer, invited me out to a studio shoot he was doing. He also said that if brought someone pretty there would be time to set up the studio lights & shoot them. I knew just the person, my friend Leah, she’d done some modelling in past & one of her friends is a make up artist. They both came along & we had a really great time. I learnt loads & got some nice shots. It really whet my appetite for portrait photography – who would have thought, someone as antisocial as me would love taking photos of people as much as I do.

#152 ~ Leah

I never really intended to shoot live music, the thought hadn’t even entered my mind, until my friend Sarge rang me about Groomfest (An annual Lincoln music festival). He was quite insistent that I would shoot it… & you don’t say no to Sarge. It was a two day event at a local pub, a big marquee was set up in the car park with a stage. Some 25 bands performed – I shot them all. For my first time shooting music I was pretty happy with myself, or as happy as I get, I actually really enjoyed it & since have shot quite a lot of music locally.

#193 ~ This Town Needs Guns ~ Groomfest

About two thirds of the way through the year things started to become very hard work so I tried to give the project more structure by mixing in smaller projects, the first of which was Project 50 which I did with one of my bimbo gal pals we even made a website after we completed it – Fifty Of Fifty. I also did a week of self portraits. Which was harder work than you might think, not only was it a challenge to set the camera up, with lighting, focus etc… but it was also a challenge for me to step to the other side of the lens, I wasn’t the biggest fan of having my photo taken but now I’m pretty ok with it.

#237 ~ My Thoughts Are Somewhere Else#257 ~ Fifty of Fifty

I also started a non time line based set which I am calling “Quotos“. I love photography & I love typography combining the two made a lot of sense. I was planing on doing a Quoto for my final photo, but it didn’t work out. A set I will be continuing to expand, at a steady rate, for the foreseeable future.

#233 ~ James Howlett *Explored*

In October I made the decision to swap my Canon 450D to a prosumer level Canon 50D. Don’t get me wrong the 450D is a great camera & I would recommend it to anyone getting into photography but I felt I would benefit from the upgrade. The 50D has a much better sensor, handles low light better, bla bla bla the list goes on & I am really happy with it, well until I can get my hands on a 5D MkII.

#300 ~ Canon 450D *Explored*

The whole project has been incredibly hard work, motivation has probably been my biggest enemy in this. It is so hard to take a consistantly good photo day after day, it’s even harder to come up with that photo. My 2nd has been time – when I am busy with work, or have other things on it’s amazing how quickly the day can escape you. Sometimes I ended up with a slightly sub par photo, but I still somehow managed to hit that shutter button every day.

#360 ~ Domo *Explored*

So over all I am very happy I’ve done the project but it’s no secret that I’ve got pretty sick of it. I have learnt a huge amount over the year, I think you can see that if you look over photos as a whole. The question is where do I go from here? What frequency will I be producing photos now that I’m not forced/required/committed to doing one daily? Honestly – I have no idea, all I can tell you is that I am in love with photography & I have more projects planned for myself. But from now I will be taking on non-time-based photography projects for example – I will be carrying on my Quotos & I also plan to start a project called 50 Strangers. So I might have a break for a little while, but keep your eyes on my flickr because it doesn’t end here.

#365 ~ Done

This is also my first post as part of Project52, so I will be trying to do 1 blog post a week for the whole of 2010… yes I know I’m a sucka!

If you want to keep up with my photos & my bloggings I’d thoroughly suggest following me on twitter.

125 Comments By Rick Nunn Category — News, Photography

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Comments

cmygeek

nice portrait :D
i hope you’ll be doing some really dramatic stuff with your new kit

Rick Nunn

I’ve done another version with a much tighter crop, I still think I prefer this wider shot though but check it out:
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricknunn/3551892001/]

lizzie noftle

somehow you managed to coordinate the direction of the light with the direction of his bangs ("fringe" if you will) and it rocks!

samwilson.

love your processing on this rick, i do look a bit angry like adam said but hey was a nice little setup!

Rick Nunn

Thanks Kaarin :)

Liz, it’s almost like I had complete control of the lighting and could move it where ever I wanted :P

Thanks Sam, the WhiBal helps snap the colours right, I really like the way the red in your shirt is nearly identical to the edge of the shutter. You were really easy to shoot too, so thanks for that. We’ll have to go out and do some skate shots soon.

Kym Ellis

I agree that a street light look would have looked pretty awesome!

Still its a great shot without it.

Sam looks moody, I like that, fits in with the setting.

Rick Nunn

Thanks Kym.

Jamie, I’m not sure if that is a compliment :P

Thanks Abbi, I was just thinking about the orange light on the top right light, which was behind Sam. So it only would have been picked up on the background and hair, the front left light, which was actually lighting Sam would have remained as it is. But I didn’t have one so I guess I’ll never know :P

Thanks for the feed back.

Rick Nunn

No that’s way too photoshoppy, I was thinking of something a little more subtle. :)

i’ve got some gels coming, so I will have a play when the come. I may, of course, hate it, but photography is all about experimentation right?

Rick Nunn

Ahh shame, they weren’t much of feabay so it’s cool :)

Mmmm bowens… you can send them up if you like? :P

samwilson.

she already is, im robbing them when i go down rick! so i’ll be happy to share when i have lugged them all the way back from ldn! haha ;)

Rick Nunn

Ha nice, I’m driving down in London next month so we can just chuck them in the boot and hammer it back :P

Fuzzy_Orange

Like the shoot mate, some lovely poses and models look great

I think the lighting just really lets it down – it doesnt really pick up any of the models faces, they look quite dark in some shots
But I know how rushed you were trying to get it all setup

Looking forward to the next big photoshoot :)

Rick Nunn

Thanks people.

Phil the lighting was done really quickly, I didn’t really have enough time with it and it was set up for another job. Next time I will try and do better :)

Rick Nunn

This weekend is the first time I’ve ever shot live music. This was one of the last bands on the 2nd day so I guess I had had some practice. When I get the rest up you will have to let me know what you think to them.

Sundeep Toor

@Rick I don’t know, just wasn’t expecting a wolverine reference when you said you were doing comic book. It turned out better than I thought. ;)

Rick Nunn

You were right James, good call.

Yeah, he isn’t one of my fave characters, but he needed doing.

Rick Nunn

See at the top there is a button called "Explore" well, you can click into there and then onto a day. What you then is are the 500 photos the flickr deem to be the most interesting based on there Intrestingness Algorithm. That takes into account how many views, comments, faves & a load more stuff that no one understands to produce that list. Make sence? No, it doesn’t to anyone else either.

craigbirmingham.com

I hate it people "announce" they are starting a "365" then spend a year posting pictures of their ear, or their foot in the shower, or just endless "self-portraits".

This project on the other hand is EXCITING, so much to look at, great talent, great ideas, some boundries pushed and some classic styles given the nod of the hat.

Well done guys. Nice site too, Nunnage!

Dan Schonhaar

I absolutely agree with 4500! I’ve been hooked on this project since the off and it’s got me in love with Flickr again.

The fiftyoffifty site is a beaut! You kept that one quiet!

Rick Nunn

Thanks Dan, I thought to do a site on Sunday morning, bought the domain at 10, the site was done by 11 just waiting for the final photos to be dropped in.

Fred Thomas

I thought I was paying you a complement..? I didn’t say you were ‘pro’ or anything, but I’ll keep quiet in future :x

Ashley Baxter

Congratulations buddy. One of the few people I know to go through with the whole thing. I’m happy I was part of it on a couple of days, and that you helped me with my less ambitious Project 50. Now, no more 365… Start taking pics for fun!

JamFactory

Well done dude, a perfect end to the series – it’s a great shot and i like the quote!

Congrats on sticking with it, I couldn’t have done it!

Merry new year too!

-sam

Congrats Rick, a fitting last photo. Looking forward to you doing it again next year! ;)

Kym Ellis

Well done Rick :) 365 is such an ambitious and time consuming project, it is a massive achievement to have completed it without missing a single day, very impressive stuff. I’ll give you some more high fives/slaps in the face/celebratory cuddles later.

I like this as a final photo, honesty is key, & I think it is a good ending note to say you learnt a lot but you have had enough & it opens the door to being able to take photos freely :)

It is a pleasure & an inspiration to look at this set as a whole and see how much you have learnt in a year.
I have enjoyed posing for you & watching you set up and take your shots too. I look forward to seeing where you take this next!

roan lavery

Congrats Rick. It really is a worthy achievement (like 100 points at least!) and your photos have been a pleasure to see.

I hope you keep it up in the new year.

Andy Welsher

Congrats Rick, think I might give this a go and see how far I get, end of Jan perhaps?

Its great to see how your photography has developed over the year, hopefully something I can pick up on too.

Any advice?

nocturnalmonkey

Congratulations mate! A really great shot to end your project :)

Your photos have been a crutch of inspiration on the occasions I’ve lost enthusiasm for the project and really kept me going.

I’ve been out today taking some shots but not too sure if there are any decent ones.

Looking forward to seeing your new pics in 2010!

Sundeep Toor

haha great quote!
Congrats Rick on completing it!! :D
I’ve really enjoyed following your 365 series. It’s a shame your not doing one next year :(

More photos please for 2010!

Rick Nunn

Bracket – Thanks, yeah it is pretty Rick of me, but being as I am Rick I think thats ok right?

Roan – Thanks dude, glad you enjoy them. I will be interesting to see the frequency that I produce images now that I’m not forced/required/committed to take one everyday.

Andy – Try it out, see how you get on. It’s not for everyone but you might enjoy it. Advice? Hmmm not really sure? Try and plan some shots in advance, and try and have some easy shots lined up for days when you don’t have much time.

Ash – Woo! 1000Gs! Thanks for the support through the project!

Sam – Thanks dude, it’s been good knowing someone else doing the project. Look forward to seeing your final shot.

Sundeep – Thanks, I’m never doing another one again, but don’t worry, I will still be taking plenty of photos.

Toby Howarth

Well done mate, I came in late but your work has been nothing short of inspiring !

I am looking forward to what you get up to in 2010 and maybe you could publish your 365 as a book : ) hint hint

Rick Nunn

Thanks Toby, I don’t think a book is on the cards. I don’t think the overall quality of photos are good enough.

pinebeck

Well done son its quite an achievement that you have done. I know some days its been hard but that the nature of turning out something every day. But for shore, over the year your photograph has really come on and I can’t help you any more because you gone streets ahead of me. Some of your photos have been outstanding and worthy of any professional. I hope we can still have days out taking a few pic’s of fish heads or some such thing. Well done. keep taking photos. click click

James Arnold.

Well done dude, such a fitting photo to come to an end on. You’ve done extremely well, i just hope you’ll soon realise your a photographer as well as a designer!! :P

Happy New Year mate :)

Scott Murray

Great work Rick. Congratulations, I’ve really enjoyed checking out your pic’s over the last year. Wicked end picture too.

Rick Nunn

Jordan – Thanks dude

Dad – Thanks for your support over the year, it has made things easier

James – Thanks mate, ha I still have a way to go yet. We’ll see how I get on this year.

Scott – I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it. It’s been great to meet you too and see some of your amazing work.

Dan

It’s pretty amazing just how much you’ve progressed and how much you’ve learned in just 365 short days. Having followed the project through the majority of it’s life I wonder what your photos would be like had you not given yourself such harsh constraints.

Personal highlights of the project:

1. The Wolverine Quoto
2. The final shot of yours/Ash’s for Project50
3. Freerunning
4. Domo
5. Messy hair & bokeh.

Once again, congratulations on completing such a tough challenge. I can’t wait to see what comes out of your camera over the next 365 days.

Dan

Adam

Nice work Rick!

I will miss it – logging onto my emails to find ‘[Flickr] New photo from Rick Nunn’, it really got me exited!

Can’t wait for your other planned Projects – Project52 seems like awesome idea, make sure you keep it up! It also gives me something else to read other than Minute44′s movie recommendations ;)

Love the ‘toy’ shots by the way, Domo is my iPod Touch background.

Once again, congratulations dude! :)

Nick

Good work sir – I feel like I have been with you every step of the way, through the excitement, new toys and motivational issues! I’m liking the new blog design too :)

Nick

Lizzie

Congrats Rick, your project was a success! You learned a ton and improved ten-fold. Hundred-fold maybe if that exists. Tell me about your 50 Strangers project, I like the sound of it.

Leah

Well done Rick.
Followed this project closely, and I can even say I helped you on a couple (standing on boxes, holding flash guns, colouring in) – Stoop, Wolverine Quoto and possibly some others.
You really have done a fantastic job, some of my favourites are – #133 ~ Tap Water Will Be Fine, Thanks, #225 ~ Pylon and #242 ~ White & Nerdy (makes me lol)
I’m looking forward to what comes next, with more time to plan and less pressure i’m sure you will produce some amazing shots.

JohnONolan

It seems fitting for me to read this post today as you finish Project 365, and I just begin it. I’m both looking forward to and dreading it all at the same time :)

Rick

Thanks guys, being accountable to real people helped me push through some of the really tough times. I didn’t wanna get in trouble :P

Lizzie, well it’s maybe hard to tell from the cryptic title of the project but it’s 50 photos of 50 strangers. The idea is to just approach them on the street and whatnot.

Leah, I’m surprised you aren’t starting a 365.

And John, best of luck to you. I hope it goes well. I will be cheering you on.

Rick Nunn

Thanks,

Skomet, absolutely, but now I can move on and take photos when I get inspired.

Kyle, you can still keep following them :) They just wont be daily any more.

kylesteed

Nice work man. I’m going to be spending a lot of time today just exploring your set. I’m just starting my own 365 journey, but they’re all self portraits.

sdmix

Great collection dude! Congratulations on completing the year mate!

Some stunning shots! :)

OniXNoiR

You’re right. I’ve got now a 450D and it’s very good for learning. I love this pic a lot!!

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