Day In The Life™ | May 2015
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I'm not sure just how many times now I've documented a Day In The Life™. More than a handful. It's enough times to know that each and every time I fall a little more in love with photography.
There is something so awesome and wholehearted about capturing the "everydayness" of the lives we lead - no matter what phase we are in, with or without kids, boring or out-of-your-mind-busy. Beauty exists in all those phases and I hope I continue to embrace, celebrate, and live that truth throughout the rest of my life.
I've long been a fan of the gritty, real, often un-posed style of documentary/journalistic photography. There's a special quality to it that I think I've started to strive for more and more as I capture my own life via my lenses. It's about capturing what is real right now and embracing what is and recognizing what can be adjusted and celebrating that fact that we are alive.
My day was pretty normal - normal meaning that things didn't all go as planned. Anna was sick ( day two on the upswing) and stayed home from school. That resulted in a little less driving around for me and no gymnastics for her in the afternoon. Aaron was here in the evening, also not an everyday thing but a piece of our normal these days. He made strawberry margaritas for Taco Tuesday and I made chocolate covered strawberries because why the heck not? We could all use a little more joy like that in our weekly evenings. Celebrating what is.
I didn't take any notes besides the captions I added to my photos on Instagram. I really focused more on looking through the lens knowing I could bring it together with some reflections ( including both facts and feelings) when I bring it all together into a project.
Speaking on the project, I'm not sold on any one way to collect this into something tangible just yet but I'm leaning towards a minibook. I'm thinking I might use one of these 4x6 albums. I also loved using one of these 4x4 albums last year. I've got five different colors available in my shop if you are interested in one of those. My plan is to work on this project next week when I have a little more time after finishing up the new Story Kit content and another week of Type workshop content. I'll share my process here when it happens.
My photos this time are a mix of iPhone ( many of the those photos were shared on Instagram yesterday) and Canon 5D with a 24-70 lens. I edit using Photoshop and RadLab (awesome, easy to use program that basically adds filters to your photos - lighten, darken, black and white, etc). I went for a mix of black and white photos this time partly to help with some of the off-color images and partly because I just like that style.
Here's a look at my Tuesday:
I hope you enjoyed the process of documenting and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with to make the photos and words come alive in your albums.
SHARE A LINK TO YOUR DAY IN THE LIFE 2015 | MAY
You’re invited to include a link to your May 2015 Day In The Life™ page here. Please link directly to your post vs. your general blog link.
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55 comments
Ali, I would love to get your input on something. I started a new job in January, and my colleagues are a big part of my day-to-day. However, many of them seem to be quite "camera shy" -- I was taking photos for a non-scrapbooking project (a facilities inventory) today, and they were all making sure they were not in any of my shots! I would love to do a "day in the life" that included a good representation of my work day, and I'm wondering if you or anyone else has advice on how to approach colleagues (likely ahead of time, rather than in the moment) to explain what I am doing and why, and how to handle taking photos of non-family members (ie. people not used to having a scrapbooker around!) in the most respectful manner possible. I am also wondering what apps there are for camera phones (I have an iPhone 6) to do self-timer shots. Thanks for the inspiration -- I especially love the distance shot of you at the dining room table, and the steam one. :) - Carmen.
Replies to northcarmen
I honestly think simply talking to them in advance is the best bet. Maybe show past examples if you have them so they can see what the end result looks like. You could also show them my video on the Day In The Life project page so they get another angle on what the project actually is. And I think you are on track wanting to be respectful - with that approach you should be fine.
If you have an iPhone 6 I believe it comes up the timer (I have a 6). When you open the camera app it is along the top between "HDR Off" and the button to flip the camera around.
Thanks for the tips, Ali! :) Very much appreciated.
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Ali how did you take that shower shot ?
I didn't take yesterday but I plan to do next week.
Replies to Jana_NJ
For that one I was holding out my camera in front of me while standing in the shower. I also took a few where the camera was sitting on a ledge - the angle was better on this one. I know not everyone wants to #1 - take a photo of themselves in the shower and, #2 - risk the camera getting wet. It worked out.
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I hesitated linking up my blog post, as it documents more of a Day In The Life fail. But then I thought, hey, that's life. I do plan to keep working on this, maybe pushing myself to do a day each week until it becomes more natural for me. Your photo captures of your day are truly inspiring.
Replies to Jennp6
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This is my first Day in the Life documenting. I found it surprising that I do Project Life, which essentially documents daily life, yet none of these moments were ever included in my pages. Very interesting!
Replies to kelsterjean
Indeed. They are very different approaches and tell different stories which is why I still like to do both :). I don't want to do Day In The Life or Week In The Life every month because it's just too much - they definitely capture different things :).
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This is such a beautiful post. I love that you didn't share any words or times with the photos, and they were absolutely magical to look at. On the surface it looks like a pretty normal day, but the moments and the way you captured them were magical.
Replies to alexandriarosee_
Sometimes it's nice to just let the photos tell the story. When I put it together in an album/project I'll include times and reflections as well.
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Ali- This was my first Day in the Life. I was so beyond grateful that I completed:) what a beautiful project to remind myself to present in the now. Know matter how imperfect it might be. Thank you!
Replies to Storyboard_c
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All of your photos for the day In The Life are beautiful. The photos that you did in B&W are stunning!I struggle with getting my B&W photos to look good. I read that you use RAD Lab with Photoshop. I use Lightroom. Any quick suggestions? :) Thanks Ali.
MaryA from NH
Replies to MaryA
Hi - I think Radlab works in Lightroom. http://www.gettotallyrad.com/blog/radlab-with-lightroom-integration-beta-now-available/
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PS. I would love to play along with a day in the life. Does it begin the first of each month?
MaryA from NH
Replies to MaryA
At this time I'm not doing it on a regular schedule - just randomly :). You can do it anytime.
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Wow! These are fantastic! I decided not to participate in DITL because I am feeling overwhelmed with all of the memory-keeping projects I want to do. It took me 4 months to finish my WITL album and I'm still not done with the December Daily album (I'm close). I also try to keep up with Project Life, which I'm only about a week behind. I want to try DITL sometime soon when I don't feel like I'm drowning in "projects" and other life stuff. Thanks again for your inspiration! --Desiree
Replies to desilei
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Great as always!! What curling iron do you use? LOL. I need a new large barrel and since the last one I bought ended up being horrible, I'd love a recommendation. Thanks!
Replies to Seester2t
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So many amazing shots... You are truly a great documenter. My faves are a tie between the BxW foggy shower selfie (and now I wish my bathroom would get foggy enough that I could take such a photograph of myself) and you kneeling by Simon's bed with the camera on the floor. I can't wait to see how you assemble the pics together. :)
Replies to roguebuffy38
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Great shots, Ali! Thanks for sharing them with us and inspiring me to participate this year.
Replies to jrharless
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