After a very cold and snowy start to the month, the weather has been reasonable, and I have been able to get out and about with the camera quite a lot.
I’ve enjoyed using my new Panasonic Lumix GF1, it seems to be an ideal everyday camera and performs well in all sorts of conditions.
I was pleased with the images I made in Sussex and at the Urban Abstracts workshop, and continued the abstract theme when I went with our local Flickr group for a walk around Chelmsford:
I’m not normally a great one for rushing out and buying the latest equipment (for starters, I’d be bankrupt if I did!). But about every 12-18 months I get a new piece of gear which seems to fire my enthusiasm once more. It’s always interesting putting a new piece of tech through its paces, whether that is a camera or new lens. My last purchase was the Canon 24-105mm EF f/4 L IS USM in March 2008. 
My main camera, a Canon EOS 30D is approaching 3 years old now, and my Ixus 850IS compact is even longer in the tooth, having been bought in Feb 2007. I can hear you thinking: “Caz is due for a new bit of gear”.
One of the things that struck me when doing the 2009 Photo A Day review was the fact that I had not used the Ixus once during the 12 months. I’d not even taken it out of it’s bag. I had instead lugged the 30D around with my larger lenses, or at least the 50mm f/1.8 prime. That’s quite a large lump to carry about each day. But I did it probably because, although the Ixus takes decent enough snaps, if that’s all that I had with me during 2008, I was often disappointed in the technical quality if I found a really good pictorial composition.
I wasn’t consciously looking for a new camera, but just before Christmas, a good friend mentioned she was getting a Panasonic Lumix GF1 with 20mm f/1.7 “pancake” lens from Santa. That’s a new format called Micro 4/3rds – a kind of half-way house between the sensors on pro-sumer DSLRs and the tiny postage stamp chips in most compacts. And it has the advantage of interchangeable lenses, although there is no optical viewfinder.
So I did some research and was hugely impressed with what I found in the reviews. It’s a cracking little camera and although quite heavy for its size (I like that aspect, actually) it fells like a properly-built camera of old, not one of the plastic throwaways which are so common now. And the fast f/1.7 prime lens is roughly equivalent to a 40mm lens on 35mm format, so quite versatile all in all.
I was lucky enough to get one of these beauties for my birthday on 1st January, and have been using it more or less every day since. I’ve now wracked up over 1000 exposures, so I guess I have an initial idea of its capabilities and drawbacks, although I don’t feel I’ve more than scratched the surface as yet. You know it must be impressive as it’s the first non-Canon camera I’ve owned since 1987!
The main control dial on top is easy to access, as are shooting modes (single, continuous, self-timer etc). The shutter button is nicely placed on the top plate, next to a small video record button. Yes, it does video too, although I’ve never tried it (and am not very likely to). I was even able to use the controls wearing thick gloves, when I was out and about walking in the recent snow.
There is a huge LCD screen on the rear, which gives you good clear pictures. In the absence of an optical viewfinder, that’s essential, and I haven’t found any problems as yet, even in quite bright conditions.
The thumbwheel at top right also has a push function, which swaps you between various command modes.
As a long-time Canon user, I was a bit worried that I might not be able to find my way around, particularly in the menu system, but so far I have had to consult the rather thick accompanying manual on surprisingly few occasions!
I have been mainly using the camera in Aperture Priority, as if left in full-auto, the settings seem to default to opening up the lens as wide as it will go – and f/1.7 isn’t always what you want, to achieve a big enough Depth of Field.
The reviews do say the camera gets a little noisy if you use it at ISO’s above 800 – so far I have stuck with 400 or below and have had quite acceptable results. It also does RAW, and the results from that are allegedly even better. But I’ve not had time to experiment with that as yet.
Pro’s
Con’s
So there you are, a long ramble and a few first impressions. I will try and write some more in about six months when I’ve had time to really get to grips with what it can do. In the meantime, I will not be far from my reach when I’m out and about for general photography, although I will still take the Eos 30D when going on specific photoshoots.
I’ve been having a look back at 2009′s Year In Pictures to see if there is anything I can add to last year’s summary. And my conclusion is – not really! The 12 things I have learned are still as relevent this time around as during 2008.
So, I’ll move straight on to…
For those of you that like numbers, here are some stats:
Pictures made at home: 89/365 = 24.4%
Pictures made within 5 miles of home: 88/365 = 24.1%
Pictures made further away: 188/365 = 51.5%
Pictures made with Ixus 850 IS Compact: 0/365 = 0%
Pictures made with DSLR (Canon EOS 30D): 365/365 = 100%
As you will see, I haven’t used my Ixus compact once this year. Not just for 365 pictures, but at all. I don’t know why, but I’ve just been in the habit of taking my 30D everywhere with me. I think there were a few occasions last year when I really liked the composition of something taken with the Ixus but it was let down by the technical quality, so perhaps subconsciously I was thinking I’d rather lug a bigger camera around and get better quality images.
And compared to last year, I’ve also “got out more” – a greater number of pictures were taken further away than 5 miles and fewer at home – or perhaps that’s just a sign that I’m running out of things to photograph around the house!
Interestingly, between Monday 13th April (Day #469)and Friday 22nd May (Day #508), I didn’t make a single image at home. That’s 40 days straight, the longest period I’ve been without resorting to something close to hand.
And in case you care, here are my favourite and least favourite shots from each month:
* Pic of the Year: Day #501 – Tyneside Dusk
** Dud of the Year: Day #690 – Mono Textures
Has 2009 been harder than 2008? I’m not sure that’s true – although I seem to have been more pleased overall with the general standard (perhaps I took a few weeks to get “warmed up” in 2008?) – but I feel the duds this year were worse – so perhaps bigger peaks and troughs throughout the year would be the best way to describe it.
Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve decided to keep going during 2010. It’s addictive 
I can’t believe I’ve actually finished Project 366, and not missed a day. It came close from time to time, but I always managed to get a picture. I’ll be the first to admit that some of them have been a little “under par”, but that’s pretty much like life, isn’t it?
Anyway, for those of you who have shared the journey during 2008, or those who might feet inspired to try your own Project 365 during 2009, here’s a tip per month, which I’ve learned from completing the project:
It might sound obvious, but it’s definitely true. Even if I didn’t have my SLR with me, I would invariably have my Ixus 850 IS compact in my bag when I was out and about. You never know where you’ll see that picture which really makes your day. And “the ones that got away” are always the best!
[Day #255 - In The Eye Of The Beholder . I took my camera with me to a business networking event and managed to take this rather attractive peacock feather during the lunch break.]
But that doesn’t matter! Some days are great, others you can barely manage to drag the camera out of its case. Life has its ups and downs, so just accept that if you’ve taken a bad picture one day, the next is another opportunity for you to do better. And some days, I’ve actually chosen a photograph which best represents the day I’ve had, rather than the one with most photographic merit.
[Day #246 - Lights In The Sky . This was undoubtably the nadir of my year. It's rubbish. But it's the only image I took on 2nd September, for whatever reason. So it just had to do!]
Don’t let a bit of fog, rain, wind or snow put you off. Take the camera out anyway. It will often give your photos a great atmosphere.
[Day #348 - Citypoint Evening . I had taken other pictures during the day, but decided to bring the camera along when I went out to a party in the evening. The rain on the streets, plus the people with brolly, brought the scene to life.]
In the early days of the project, I used to worry about getting a photo early in the day, or was afraid I might forget to take a picture. So by all means, take an “insurance” shot if that makes you feel comfortable, but don’t decide straight away that that will be it. Always keep an open mind for opportunities which may arise later in the day.
[Day #224 - After Hours. This was taken in the late evening as I was on my way home from a meeting at the local village hall. Nothing else had inspired me during the day, but this is what I saw when I happened to poke my head around the door to the main meeting room.]
How often do we think “I haven’t got time for that”? And how many times do we find ourselves making time for things we want to do, rather than things we should be doing? If you can afford half an hour to watch a trashy soap in the evening when you get home from work, you can surely spare 10 minutes during your day to make a picture! It’s just a question of getting into the habit of it, and allowing yourself a little time for creativity. You’ll feel better for it!
[Day #3 - Coffee Break. Even in a busy schedule, there's always time for a short break. Use it to think about making a picture while you enjoy your coffee.]
It’s easy to see the same old things day after day, and never appreciate them. So take some time to look at your familiar surroundings in a different way. Household objects photographed from an unusual angle or in different lighting can often make good subjects. Go for the abstract, or home in on a pattern. If you can use a macro lens or setting on your camera, you will often see the world in an intriguing way.
[Day #49 - Enigma IV. This sits on my drive every day and I largely ignore it until I need to go somwhere. But add a touch of frost and a macro lens - all of a sudden, it doesn't look like the bonnet of my car anymore.]
Photography is all about light. If you can catch some sun or dramatic lighting, it can bring a scene to life. But in most locations, the sun doesn’t shine all the time, so if you have a dull day outside, you can always turn your hand to a bit of table-top photography. It doesn’t require expensive lighting or props. Try pointing a desk lamp at an acute angle across some crayons and see what happens:
[Day #89 - Exploring Orange. Part of my mini-project, Exploring Colour, which I undertook during March and April. A simple set up - 4 crayons, a paper clip and some coloured paper.]
By being observant, having your camera with you at all times and always being on the lookout for pictures, you will often find that you are in the right place at the right time.
This, of course, is no accident, but it can seem like it at times. You might be in the right spot to take a wonderful landscape just as the sun pokes out from clouds, for instance. Just like me on Day #22, when I was walking St. Peter’s Way close to home. Or Day #40 when I was walking in the woods and spotted a horse racing gig pelting towards me through the mud…
[Day #104 - Rainbow Pews. Having taken some shots in Dedham which were rather routine, I stopped off at West Bergholt Church to have a look round inside. The light had gone, the clouds were gathering. Except for a fleeting 10 seconds when I happened to be in this spot in the church. Suddenly, the sun came out and shone through the stained glass windows in the nave and onto the pews below. I managed two exposures before the light was gone for the rest of the day.]
Inspiration seems to come and go on a whim, I find. So during the year, whenever I thought of a good subject to photograph, I would add it to my list of things to try. This was mainly used for days at home when the light was poor, or inspiration didn’t strike. I found it useful, especially if there were things I particularly wanted to attempt which I hadn’t done before. Photographing water bubbles was one:
[Day #29 - Enigma III. Bubbles on water, with coloured wrapping paper underneath. If you would like to read more about the setup, here's how it was done.]
Whether you are a newcomer to photography or have been taking pictures for years, there’s always something new to learn. And if you had a new camera for Christmas and are not sure what all the buttons do, why not take some pictures to help you experiment and find out? Perhaps take the same subject with different apertures, shutter speeds or ISO settings and see what difference they make. Use different lenses to change the perspective of your pictures. Or there are things you can do in the post-process to make your images stand out from the mundane.
[Day #58 - Signs Of Spring. I decided to experiment with this simple compact camera shot and used the Orton Effect to give it a softer, more gentle feeling.]
Have you ever thought “There’s nothing to photograph round where I live”? So did I, but then I bought myself an OS 1:25,000 scale wall map centred on my house and drew a 5 mile radius on it. My aim has been to explore as much of that circle as possible during the year. I’ve found some amazing little gems which I never knew existed, largely because I was complacent about living in the area. So take a look yourself, and you might be pleasantly surprised as to what you can find! If you have a dog, take it for a walk out of your usual patch and explore some new footpaths. I’ve also found some really amazing locations since starting to go geocaching. It’s a great excuse to get out and about and visit places you might have otherwise overlooked.
[Day #307 - After Constable. The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation runs east from Chelmsford to the Blackwater estuary at Maldon. The towpath is a great place to explore. I found this beautiful scene one day whilst out doing some geocaching.]
I really would not have completed my Project366 without the help, support and feedback from all the great folks on Flickr. Encouragement from them meant I found the will to keep going on dreary days. They have posted some truely inspirational pictures, and having met a fair few of them in person, they’re also a great bunch of people. You know who you are! So if you’re just starting your own 365 odyssey, join a group on Flickr, post your pictures and get commenting. You will soon make some wonderful contacts and start interesting conversations.
[Day #195 - Wipeout. Some of the 366 2008 group met up in London one July weekend to chew the fat, enjoy a pint and - eventually - take some pictures together on the South Bank. This one was made with them.]
For those of you that like numbers, here are some stats:
Pictures made at home: 127/366 = 34.7%
Pictures made within 5 miles of home: 98/366 = 26.8%
Pictures made further away: 141/366 = 38.5%
Pictures made with Ixus 850 IS Compact: 89/366 = 24%
Pictures made with DSLR (EOS 30D/300D): 277/366 = 76%
And in case you care, here are my favourite and least favourite shots from each month:
* Pic of the Year
** Dud of the Year!
First and foremost – Don’t Give Up!
If you find you missed a day, take a “placeholder” picture and pick up your camera again the next day. I managed all 366, but some of our group missed one or two during the year. But they still participated in the spirit of it.
I’ve also found that it’s a wonderful way to keep a diary. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say. And looking back over the Visual Archives, I find it’s so easy to remember what I was doing just by looking at the thumbnails, even if I don’t read the whole entry.
Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve decided to keep going during 2009. It’s addictive
I’ve been a bit lax at keeping up with this bit of the blog, but I’m hoping to catch up shortly!
July was a very mixed month, weather wise. It seemed to veer between heavy rain and too hot to move, all within a couple of days! Anyway, here are a selection of “nearly made it” images from the month:
This was from a series of images I took in Mountnessing on Day #187. I had originally gone there to photograph the windmill against a deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds. And when I got there, I found they were gearing up for a cricket match in front of the windmill, so I stayed around for a while and took some action shots too. Not sure who Mountnessing were playing, or who won – but there’s nothing to evoke a sense of an English summer like the sight of cricket on the village green!
Next up was the façade of a lovely Art Deco building I found in Soho on Day #206. I’ve been down the road a few times, but never took the time to look up before. Just shows what you miss if you don’t walk around with your seeing eye in gear!
I had a couple of enjoyable days out during the month. First was in London to meet my 366 Flickr Group mates on the South Bank on Day #195. The weather was quite kind to us, and I was intrigued by this splash of colour by the QEII hall. It’s pretty much as it was out of the camera – the grey clouds just added a sense of drama to the whole scene:
[Watch This Space - South Bank]
The local Horticultural Show took place on Day #201. It’s always a colourful affair, and this year we had a marching band from Brentwood, resplendent in their red tunics, black spikey hats and polished brass.
I also enjoyed a day trip to Norwich with a friend on Day #211, somewhere I haven’t visited for about 20 years!
There’s plenty to see in the Market, new buildings around the Forum and olde worldy streets in the Lanes to explore. All in all, rich pickings for photographers.
