why not click along

As a new year was about to begin, a photo challenge called Capture your 365 crossed my Instagram newsfeed. I have attempted it previous years. On a whim, I thought why not try again? 

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In an effort to figure out my photography style, I took on the challenge for the first time in 2017. I lasted 100-ish mostly consecutive days, before getting frustrated and giving up. 

There are tons of free photography challenges on the internet, and supportive groups. I don't (and won't) pay for a membership. For playing but not paying you have access to a monthly calendar of daily prompts, but not the accompanying information. Took me the longest time to figure out why multiple people would post photos that resembled each other in a way, but not necessarily the prompt.

My challenge efforts did not help me figure out "my style" or the never ending related question "what do you shoot". Questions I still struggle to answer to this day. Words mean different things to different people, and I end up explaining myself. 

I had imposed a restriction on myself that all my photos had to be taken with my DSLR camera, and my new pricey 50mm f/1.2 prime lens. I wanted to learn to use it with confidence. People were paying me for portraits. I felt obligated to provide better quality, and figure out my photography style. Not just take a lot of photos and hope a few turn out. A philosophy I disagree with. Does it work? Yes, odds will provide. Is there a better way? Yes, you'll know when you are at that stage.

The challenge did teach me that I prefer zoom lenses.

The extra sharpness a prime lens (a fixed focal length) gives you, the average person can't even see. It took me years to be able to see the difference. It is not worth it to me, nor do I have the money or desire to own a collection of pricey glass. I opt for flexibility.

The challenge also reinforced how I already felt. The most important thing (to me) about photography is capturing the feeling of a fleeting moment, not a technically perfect photo. 

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Last year I announced to my photography Facebook world that I was taking the challenge on again, but this year I would set myself up for success by only doing select prompts. I think I did two prompts early on. They say you will feel encouraged by saying it out loud, and telling others. I know we had an extra busy year moving, but clearly this was not a good approach for me. It was a total bust, and I am pretty sure no one remembers me saying I was going to participate.

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So, here we are. My third attempt. As of this post I am still clicking daily per prompt this year, with my camera or phone. I am no longer tracking the number of days, and don't care if my photos resemble whatever the additional information is. You can figure it out from other peoples posts, but it honestly doesn't matter to me anymore. 
I need practice and my biggest struggle is finding subject matter, and therefore inspiration. I would love to get my creativity on, but in a unique way. I am still trying to find *my* way.

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Living and loving our land and all that thrives on it, has given me a refreshing outlook on photography. I don't share my pics on common places where one goes to "keep up with the joneses" and I no longer have to find the courage to travel alone to seek photo opportunities. Not that I won't, it's just taking photos isn't contingent on it. There is beauty right outside my back door, and the only person I am photographing for is me. Unless it is commissioned, but that's an entirely different post.

There is something extraordinary about that which is familiar.

The challenge prompts help me to document the wonder I experience around me in ways I wouldn't otherwise. It gets me out of my comfort zone. I am proud of some photo results, many others not so much. Some photos are taken just to get 'er done, but the value is it causes me to think visually. I know I won't make it an entire year. I honestly don't care if I do. I'll stop the prompted daily snap when it starts to feel like a burden.

I have begun the arduous process of updating my blog behind the scenes. Don't hold your breath, it will take me forever! Nothing major, it just needs updating. I'll post about it when I get closer to being done. I've decided to share all my photo challenge results, not just the horses related pics. They will fit in nicely with my eventual blog revise.

I plan to catch up, but then post results weekly here on my blog for as long as I participate in the challenge. I will include the hashtags I used on Instagram. If you are not familiar with hashtags, here is the definition "a word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites and applications, especially Twitter, to identify messages on a specific topic". All challenge photos are tagged with #cy365, but the rest are descriptors.

Week One

Welcome to 2019

#welcome2019 #january #winter #wisconsin

Fresh

#january #fresh #freshsnow #horse #lips
#kissme #nemo #appaloosa #horsesofinstragram

One Word

#cold #january #winter #wisconsin

Branches

Even the tiniest of #budding #branches hangs on for Spring.
#january #winter #nofilter

Space to Grow

#january #fieldofdreams #winterdream #horsesofinstagram
#horses #homestead #ranch #livingthedream #lovewhereyoulive