OCOLOY

[Mike Farley]

I am not sure if I have mentioned this here before, but OCOLOY is One Camera, One Lens, One Year. The idea is to have a camera fitted with a lens which has a focal length of around 50 mm or equivalent and carry it with you at all times, shooting daily even if for a few minutes and every day make a print of a recent shot, then pin it on the wall for a few days. This is not a photo a day project, but an exercise in practicing photography on a daily basis and improving your skills. Not just shooting, but post capture and editing as well. It was devised by Mike Johnston some years ago and a while back he updated it with a digital variant. You can read the full dtails here: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.co ... rsion.html.

A group of Sicilian photographers have taken it a stage further and have monthly meetings to review their work, which has also resulted in an exhibition. You can read more at Mike Johnston's "The Online Photographer" blog. Not all the shots are to my taste, but there are some pleasing efforts amongst them.

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.co ... italy.html

[Paul Heester]

These challenges are getting more and more complicated!! I agree that limiting yourself to one lens can make you see things differently but for a whole year?? You would denying yourself lots of opportunities for macro, sport, landscape and such for a while year...I just dont see the benefits outweighing the negatives. And then to print our your images...daily!!

In a nutshell "nice concept but totally impractical".

[Mike Farley]

I see it as a supplement to one's other photography, rather than an exclusive exercise. There is only so much you can do with a 50 mm lens, after all. The purpose is to improve skills through daily practice rather than deny other opportunities and like those in Sicily you can set your own parameters. That said, I will not be doing it, but I thought you guys would like to know what others are doing and see the results of their endeavours.

[Mike Farley]

A bit more from Mike Johnston suggesting what he considers to be the best camera and lens combination for a OCOLOY project. He also says that it is OK to vary things to suit your own circunstances.

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.co ... -lens.html