Hello 2020! Since the term 20/20 can also refer to clear vision, I thought it’d be a good idea to participate in Project 365, or in this Leap Year’s case, Project 366: take a photo every day for one year. Sounds easy, huh? Some days you’ll have so many good photos you can’t decide which one to post, and other days, ya got nothin’. Other days, your head hits the pillow, and the awful dread hits that you FORGOT TO GET A SHOT.

The last time I did Project 365, 10 years ago, taught me so much, and I highly recommend it to all beginner photographers. The daily effort forced me to get creative, be patient, learn to edit better, overcome less than stellar lighting conditions, etc. I gained a ton of confidence and improved my skill level. And I’m proud to say that I did not miss a day.

The last couple years have been a little stressful, so to get out of this rut, I am diving right back in to P366. 20/20 = good vision. Sounds right! Right? This will be a year to focus on today and not worry about tomorrow. Focus on the positive and not the negative. Photography is mostly about focus, so this seems like the perfect time, in the beginning of this new decade that reminds us of good vision, to get on board.

Of course, the very first day, I’m confronted with overcast, dreary skies. Flat light, blah. I tried taking Big Bertha out since I had dozens of Eastern Bluebirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned warblers, Goldfinches, House Finches, and even a Song Sparrow in my yard!

I bundled up for 3-1/2 hours on my patio and waited. I finally got the Orange-crowned Warbler in my camellia bush with his beak in a bloom. Perfect! But my 400mm lens requires a ton of light. I got the shot using 3200 ISO, but it’s grainy and soft. I’m not striving for perfection, but grain and softness are huge no-nos in my book. At least for birds. Grain would’ve been acceptable, softness unacceptable.

When all else failed outdoors, I returned to the toasty living room, and informed Izzy she would be modeling for a few minutes. She was a pretty good sport about it, although it’s blatantly obvious that she was less than pleased since I interrupted her afternoon nap. And she hates having a camera or phone pointed at her as most dogs do. I think I captured her displeasure well. Ha! Don’t feel too sorry for her, she was handsomely rewarded later with chicken, risotto, and peas. She loves her some veggies! I present to you my iPhone 11 Pro image for Day One: Love is a Four Legged Word | Izzy

1/366Love is a Four-Legged Word 4.25mm | f/1.8 | ISO 400 | 1/60 sec
iPhone 11 Pro Max