Thursday 24 October 2013

Portraits



Less than ten weeks to go till the new year. 

Forty two weeks have gone by since I started the 52 portrait project. Documenting life this year with my great love. It has been such a rewarding thing to do and has served it's original intent beautifully. 

It's pushed me to practice and refine my photography. I've taken a camera with me everywhere, I know that the only way to improve is to practice and this project has given me the structure I needed to do that. Plus, I've found that I'm really drawn to portraits of people. Both viewing them and taking them. Images that have a persons unique fingerprint stamped all over them or perhaps leave you wondering about the subject, images that conjure up emotions without really needing any words. I love taking photos and I love taking pictures of people the most.

But more importantly, this years portrait project has reminded me stop regularly and appreciate Richard. Really see him. Man, it can be so easy to lose sight of each other. Even the weeks where we just got *the effing portrait done* and there were a few. Or the weeks that life chucked us a few curve balls, there were a few of those too. Taking his portrait made me stop and properly look at him, gain perspective - whether it was through the lens or during the editing process. Without fail I was grateful for him. With every single portrait, every single week.

All this reflection, of course has me thinking about next year.  I'd like to continue with the portrait project but handsome as he is, I think one year of Richard portraits is enough!

Without the obvious choice of documenting my own children each week, I've been milling over the approach I might take. A portrait of someone new each week, self portraits (yeah, nah. ruled that one out pretty quickly) perhaps playing with a particular theme - lighting, perspective, unportraits....?

Are you thinking about participating next year? Will you be continuing on from this year or just starting out? 

Do you have any suggestions on alternative ways to approach the 52 portrait project? I'd love to hear them!

You can view all of my portraits this year by clicking here or the pretty button in my sidebar.

Belinda x

* Portraits above of loved ones in England. Including one of me slouching about in the afternoon sunshine.

10 comments:

  1. I am surprised that I have managed all the weeks so far. I love looking back and am so pleased I decided to do it. Next year I'm thinking of doing a weekly pic of the three of my children together, rather than an individual one. I do like the unportraits idea too! xo

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    1. That's a great idea, Elaina. Nice to have them all in one portrait too :-) I've loved seeing your portraits each week and look forward to another year following along :-) xx

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  2. Such beauty in your photos above friend! And how wonderful that you grew so much through this process. To stop and take the time to really appreciate your spouse through this artistic venture is worth more than gold!

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    1. It really has been so worth it! Thanks Nicole. xx

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  3. Loved all your photos Billie, im thinking i should do this next year since i will be in a different location in Australia every week. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas xxx

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    1. ohmahgosh Belinda, you TOTALLY should do it next year! It will be such a fantastic keepsake of your family's year of adventure on the road. I would LOVE to see those portraits each week. Do it!! Bxx

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    2. Billie, how do I go about starting the weekly portraits? xx

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    3. B, Start taking and publishing your portraits then share them on Jodi's blog - she recently had a name change from Che & Fidel to 'Practising Simplicity'. On her 52 portrait post each week, there is a section to 'Add your link'. Once you have published your portraits, upload the link to your page by following the steps on Jodi's page. She usually publishes her portraits on a Sunday but do whatever suits you - I'm pretty sure you can link up anytime during the week. Hope this helps? Bxx
      http://www.practisingsimplicity.com/

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  4. I would love to join in starting from January. My only idea is family pictures once a week or it could be something like favorite object... thought I much more prefer photographs of people...
    So may I participate?

    xoxo, Eszter
    http://kukolina.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/do-you-remember-what-you-looked-like-1-2-3-4-and-5-autumns-ago/

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    1. Hi Eszter, I hope to link up again next year with the 52 Portrait Project that is led by Jodi over at Che & Fidel blog, more information here: http://cheandfidel.blogspot.com/search/label/52
      I think you should definitely participate too! I have loved doing it this year. It is wonderful to look back, time flies by so fast! I hope you decide to link up with Jodi's community and we can follow along. Belinda xx

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Thanks for your comment, so nice to hear from you. Belinda x

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