The 100 Day Project: Chapter 1

On the Summer Solstice I launched a personal photography venture called The 100 Day Project.  The project was originally the conception of The Great Discontent magazine (learn more about it here), but I adapted it to my own goals.  Each day I strive to take a photograph unlike my typical style.  I set certain parameters -- I must use Canon's revolutionary new 5DS-R camera with a 50mm 1.2L lens.  My choice of lens is a homage to Ansel Adams, who shot only with a 50mm because it is closest to what the eye actually views.  I must shoot the images at the camera's maximum aperture of f/1.2, which creates an extremely slim focal plane.  My subjects are teenagers and I aim to capture their essence at this complex age.  In creating each image, I am manipulating light, composition, angle, textures, and depth of field.  Just for fun, I record under each finished photograph the day and what my subject said to me as I snapped the photo.  

Each day I must remind myself that the photograph I take is not about perfection, but about the compilation of a set.  This is a learning process, and I am tremendously excited about it.  I share the first nine days of photography below and welcome your thoughts.

Day 1Did you know that every time you take my picture, I lose part of my soul?

DAY 1

Did you know that every time you take my picture, I lose part of my soul?

Day 2Do I look like a character from "Children of the Corn"?

DAY 2

Do I look like a character from "Children of the Corn?"

Day 3I can see you.

DAY 3

I can see you.

Day 4There's a car coming behind you.

DAY 4

There's a car coming behind you.

Day 5Can you wait to take my picture until I get my hair cut?

DAY 5

Can you wait to take my picture until I get my hair cut?

Day 6Welcome to my lair.

DAY 6

Welcome to my lair.

Day 7Can I have a dog up here with me?

DAY 7

Can I have a dog up here with me?

Day 8Can I just go play?

DAY 8

Can I just go play?

Day 9Can we take my senior portraits here?

DAY 9

Can we take my senior portraits here?