The Photo A Day For 30 Days Project

looking back and going forward

As I indicated in my piece last evening, since posting my last image from the photo a day for 30 days project, I’ve noticed that not only have I missed doing it, I’ve missed the feeling of community engagement that participating in the project provided. And I’m saying this as someone who is responsible for editing the bloody thing.

This is a sentiment I’ve heard this from several others who participated in the project as well. While online friendships and interactions have long been known to foster a sense of community, this time seemed different. I think there are many reasons for that, but one of the main ones is actually seeing images from other peoples lives. It’s one thing to read about them, but no matter how well written the story is, it’s another thing entirely to actually see the people, places, and things your friends are talking about and invested in. It creates an investment for the viewer, and in the case of writers you already know, there is a sense of intimacy engendered that, at least for me, hasn’t been seen before.

What Now

Which brings me to the biggest question I’ve been asked since starting the project. What now? What happens when everyone has posted their 30 days and gone home? Well, the one major take away I’ve learned from doing this is that a regular lit publication is not particularly suited to posting a high volume of image based pieces. Especially multiple submissions per day. I received not a small amount of feedback from readers who were either not interested in image based stories, or found that their C(G) feed was cluttered with them, causing them to miss work by their favourite writers. All legitimate criticism that I have definitely heard and understand. My other take away is that one editor managing a project with the kind of scope and volume this had, is not tenable. I severely underestimated the actual time commitment required. So let’s just say that I am rather relieved it is coming to an end.

That would be the backdrop to today’s announcement that I alluded to briefly a few weeks ago. So, starting in mid January, the photo project is going full time. But in a new publication, and with a team of 7 editors who will provide coverage on a once a week basis. A sister to C(G), I’m calling it C(G) Snapshots, and it will be a publication dedicated to visual narrative. The focus and thrust will be decidedly amateur photography, and beginners will be especially encouraged to submit. The “writers” will be photographers and the requirements for publication will be one or more photographs per post, that you have taken yourself. While there will be a set submission process, unlike literary publications, there will be no selection reviews. Unlike the 30 day challenge, there will not be any set requirements on how often you post. Once in a blue moon or several times a month are both fine. If you want to participate, you are more than welcome to providing the submission guidelines are followed.

How About Text?

Work may be anchored with a short narrative, in any style, though this is not required. Because it is primarily a photo publication, the maximum word count for anchoring text will be 500 words. While I was flexible with the 30 day project in this regard, here we will be more strict, since otherwise it’s just another publication with a picture at the top.

To keep things interesting, I and the other editors will post specific challenges or calls for submissions. Things like “blue picture Tuesdays” or “animal only” pics. The possibilities are infinite, really.

Look for an official announcement with submission guidelines and an introduction to the editorial team shortly after the holidays. One thing I will ask, is that if you think this is a publication you will likely submit to, please leave a response indicating that so we can get some idea of the potential interest.

I’m only tagging the individuals who participated in the photo a day for 30 days project, but the new publication will be open to anyone with a Medium membership.

Sherry Kappel Crooked Little Flower Patricia Petersen David Montgomery Hana Leshner Jason Stelzner Erik Smith Jess Hicks Ayesha Talib Wissanji Tatiana Reuter Ferreira Daan Spijer Terijo mark-john clifford Elizabeth Helmich Dennett Michael Ramsburg Mal Augustkhalilibrahim Nuraine Sadaf Gail Boenning Ellan Aldryc J. Finley DHBogucki