01.25.10 - March

This was my first experience shooting in a courtroom; it turned out to be only a ten-minute hearing.

01.24.10 - March

Kyle looks a lot like Jim Morrison sometimes.

01.23.10 - March

01.22.10 - March

The Plymouth Ice Festival spanned this weekend, and Tanya and I drove down Friday to spend a few hours in hopes of getting material for projects in 320 or 423 this week. She let me use her fisheye lens.

01.21.10 - March

01.20.10 - March

Tanya fiddles with a strobe [which I cropped out because her face is more interesting] Wednesday in our JRN 423 class.

01.19.10 - March

Danny Glover read Langston Hughes poetry Tuesday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.

01.18.10 - March

CM-Life meetings are every other Monday - this was the only photo I took all day, according to my memory cards.

01.21.10 - May

Fremont junior Emily Scheffler, center, and Wisconsin senior Mark Samuelson watch as Johanna Paas, associate art professor, examines a print screen after spraying it down with water to expose the sketch Thursday in ART 250: Advanced Printmaking in Wightman Hall. "It's fun, easy to do and allows for a lot of creativity," Scheffler said. "It comes together fast, giving us the ability to do a lot of prints in a short period of time."

01.17.10 - March

Drove to Western with Kyle and Co. for a party on Sunday night before MLK Day. I enjoy this mustache.

01.16.10 - March

Went to visit my friend Michael this weekend. This is the beach of his childhood home on Lake Michigan.

Dan Sunderland of Chicago looks back to check on his son, Josh, as they trek down the snowy shore of Lake Michigan Dec. 16. Sunderland has a home nearby off the shore of Lake Michigan that has been in his family since the 1940s.

01.15.10 - March

A look into college life - not the first or last of many such mildly humorous portraits of friends, or friends of friends.

01.20.10 - May

Casey Shortt. A portrait.

01.19.10 - May

It's Danny Glover.

01.18.10 - May

Detroit freshman Shaniqua Sanders smiles as she listens to speeches by her peers while holding a burning candle at a candlelight vigil Monday afternoon, which occurred at the end of the CommUNITY March on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. "This is all about getting together amongst others as a unity to help one another for peace, love and prosperity," she said. "Martin Luther King, Jr. is a symbol of freedom, a symbol of life — a symbol of a new generation. I don't think the world would be the same without him."

01.17.10 - May

This reminds me of a scary movie.

01.16.10 - May

01.15.10 - May

Gin and tonic. Many were consumed, but none by me.

01.14.10 - May

Boyne City freshman Sarah Gerberding lays in a tanning bed for a 20-minute session on Thursday morning at B-Tan in Stadium Mall, 1620 S. Mission St.

01.13.10 - May

My friend, Sean Proctor, poses with a lewd picture of a donkey and a man. His girlfriend drew the picture after trying to prove to Sean's brother sexual relations could be possible between the two. She said the man in the picture is suppose to portray Sean's brother Drew.

01.14.10 - March

"Mr. Meowzers" prepares to attack my face from across some of Kyle's BFA submission prints.

01.12.10 - May

Michigan State running backs coach Dan Enos smiles as he chats with athletics officials before a press conference Tuesday at the Indoor Athletics Complex where he was announced as Central Michigan University's new head coach. Enos signed a five-year contract worth $250,000 per year in base salary and includes a $75,000 bonus for public appearances, television and radio. “My vision will be and will remain as long as I am head football coach here that I want us to be mentioned in the same breath and be synonymous with the Boise States and the TCUs and the Utahs of the world,” he said. “And be the class of the MAC and be 12-0 going into the MAC Championship game and having people say, ‘What about them? What about CMU? What about Central Michigan?’ That’s our vision. That’s our goal.”

01.11.10 - May

First day of classes portraits; clockwise from upper left:

• "I told my classmates they had nice hair and a scarf," Coleman freshman Cody Mayhew said. In one of his classes, he participated in ice-breaking activities, where students gave compliments to each other.
• "I'm trying to go hard or go homeless. I refuse to not be successful," said Benton Harbor senior Michelle Brooks, about passing classes to graduate in May.
• "I'm not looking forward to HST 102 (Development of Western Civilization) because today was the first day in class and I almost fell asleep," said Otter Lake senior Elizabeth Conrad.
• "I'm a big fan of jazz from people like Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock," said Spring Lake sophomore Austin Berg, who is excited for his class, MUS 213: Jazz: An American Art Form.

01.13.10 - March

Jeff LaMonde donned a Vader helmet at our friend Michael's going away gathering very early Wednesday morning. I stole his flash, so it's very blown out.

01.12.10 - March

01.11.10 - March

Had coffee with Zoey. The light in Kaya is very, very yellow...I just decided to stylize things.

01.10.10 - March

I spent most of the day editing, but came back to the apartment to Leah making corn muffins just before midnight...ladies and gentleman, that girl knows how to make foood.

01.09.10 - March

Two-thirds of the trifecta - it's good to be back in Mount Pleasant again.

01.08.10 - March

"Kitty," perhaps the rowdiest boy in this Mt. Pleasant house, has no official name. Instead, he's called by a variety of pseudonyms, including "Steadman," "Jigglypuff," "Mohan," and "Sgt. Mustard." Renn is walking the cat, who enjoys terrorizing any organism in sight and eating garbage (no matter how his keepers may try to bar him from it).

01.10.10 - May

Iron Mountain native Libby March holds a pillow over her head in triumph after an epic battle in which she successfully stole it from Mount Pleasant resident Neil Blake. The two continued to battle for possession of the red pillow on and off for about 10 minutes, but March still won the infamous pillow fight. "This is the natural order of things," she said smiling. "Neil Blake is just going to have to step it up."

01.09.10 - May

Warren senior Joshua Thomas skates down the ice while playing a pick-up game of ice hockey Saturday afternoon atop of Central Michigan University's Rose Ponds near the Student Activity Center. Brancaleone and two of his friends cleaned the snow off of the ice with two shovels. Though it took the trio about 45 minutes to clear, they set up a busted hockey net and began shooting for about an hour. "We've wanted to come out here since sophomore year," he said. "I was a bit worried about thin ice at first, but now that we've played I can say I enjoy not falling through it. This is basically our last hoorah before the semester kicks off."

01.07.10 - March

My mom and sister Cat drove me back down to school on Thursday. We stopped at this gas station, and Mom bought Cat and me a 39-cent pig.

01.08.10 - May

Mount Pleasant police officers inspect a blue pick-up truck after a collision with a red pickup truck at about 7:15 p.m. Friday at the intersection of East Campus Drive and Preston Street. The blue truck did not stop at the stop sign on East Campus Drive traveling north, and upon hitting the red truck, both shifted toward the Health Professions Building, each stopping on the sidewalk and one through a street sign and into a campus brick wall. Sgt. Shawn Paul said there were no life-threatening injuries, but one driver was sent to the emergency room. Both vehicles were undriveable and were towed from the scene. "It's a pretty good collision when both vehicles are coming off the road like this," Paul said. "People need to be aware of their surroundings. The driver did not see the stop sign and ran right through it. That's what caused the accident."

01.07.10 - May

Every college student has felt this way at one point, whether it be an early wake up for a morning class or working off the hangover of a long night of debauchery and drunken fun. This is Leah. I would like to ask anyone who sees this photo to please leave a comment with what you think the caption should read, or what you feel she might be thinking -- a fill in the blank for you to interpret the photo. Love you Leah! Have fun posting captions everyone. :)

01.06.10 - March

Christmas decorations in the March house tend to stay up until at least February. We sort of lost the actual, yarny-haired baby Jesus piece, but I like the smile on this improvised version of him.

01.06.10 - May

Warren resident D.J. Liden, 27, assembles his drum set for the finale performance with his band Under Anchor Wednesday night in the retail side of the recently-opened Justice Records, a vinyl record store located at 617 N. Mission St. in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The record store opened Monday, and held its first concert Wednesday night, which included five bands in live performance. Liden said he fiddles with his drum set anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. "I just like to tinker with it until it's just right," he said. "I strive for perfection, but when I'm frustrated with it, I just quit and play."

01.05.10 - March

My sister, Cat, and friend Cait relaxing after a sauna in the backyard at home in the U.P.

01.05.10 - May

Whitey Dowski, 97, has sat at the same table next to the window at Dave's Pizza Place in Leslie, Mich., for the last 50 years. He sat there Tuesday drinking two cups of black coffee like he does every afternoon. Once a manufacturing engineer, Dowski has outlived his wife, but still has the pleasure of seeing his two daughters. Though he no longer drives himself around town, he does bowl once a week in a bowling league and lives in a house. "If I could give any advice in the years I've lived ... I wouldn't want to tell you nothing because you might want to do it, just like I did," he said laughing. "Live life. Live everything."

01.04.10 - March

Until I get back to Mount Pleasant or my battery charger here starts working better, still using Dad's point-and-shoot..

My brother is really into model airplanes; this is the ceiling in the kitchen at home.

01.04.10 - May

Jackson residents Gail Hull and Marg Howe sit side by side sewing, patching and hemming articles of clothing Monday afternoon at The Tailor's Corner, located at 338 S. Mechanic St. in Jackson, Mich. Hull has been employed for about two years, while Howe has worked on-and-off for the owner since she opened the store 17 years ago. "I keep coming back because I like the work," Howe said.

01.03.10 - May

Keanon Kelley, 19, skates around the ice Sunday at Sparks Foundation County Park in Jackson, Mich., as he practices shots on goal while his friends lace up to join him in a pick-up game of hockey. He and his seven friends all played for Lumen Christi High School's varsity hockey team last year before attending different colleges.

01.03.10 - March

Erica Ebertsch, 17, is graduating this spring from my high school alma mater - this frame is one the senior photos we made.

01.02.10 - March

Sissy Brown and appaloosa gelding Scout March hold a quiet glance Jan. 2 at Brown's boyfriend Bud Spencer's farm in Norway, Mich. Brown and Spencer have several horses together and are intense barrel racing enthusiasts.

01.02.10 - May

Davino Bedore, 7, slowly trudges up a hillside with his sled while the sun sets Saturday in Spark Foundation County Park in Jackson, Mich. Bedore sledded for about an hour with his cousin and uncle alongside about 40 others.

01.01.10 - May

Flint native David Harris stumbled around his girlfriend Dana DeFever for a few minutes before kissing her after midnight on New Year's Day at a house party in his home in Flint, Mich.

Start - May

It's 2010. A new year brings a fresh start, at least that's what we hear. And as it is a new year, so many make resolutions on how to better their lives. Lucky for me, I have to great friends who are embarking on this photographic endeavor alongside me.

Libby's raw talent and natural ability to make storytelling images makes her so valuable to this journey. I see her work grow with every image she makes, every story she tells. She has an amazing ability, and I hope just sparks from her fiery inferno behind the lens hits me and also ignites some sort of genius in me.

Neil has an amazing ability to bring home a portfolio image through nearly every daily assignment he shoots. He's got respect amongst his peers, especially me, and his professionalism and kind heart are what make him and his images so easily recognizable and true storytelling photos. His eye for composition and handle on light make him an essential piece to this puzzle. I want to learn from him, his techniques and this journey of which we have just begun.

My personal goal is to understand my photography and what images I want to make. I want to really understand those who I shoot. I want to make images that matter, that truly delve into the lives of my subjects. Storytelling is key, and that is my main goal in development. Who knows where this year-long photo walk will take any of us? I know it will bring us closer together, and we will discover much about ourselves through the images we make. That is all I can ask for is friendship and maybe a bit of education on my technical skills. :) I love you both dearly. Let's make 2010 a year to remember.

01.01.10 - March

Collecting a few early moments in the new year...

365 Launch - March

Since Neil's given an overview, I want to introduce myself, too. As far as projects go, I'm the opposite - I have a really hard time getting things rolling sometimes, which is why I'm incredibly excited to be embarking on this venture with two of my good friends and respected photogs. Together, we form the 'trifecta' - or, as Jake would say, the "Trifecta of Awesome." I'm not sure when we came up with it, but it fits. We form a pretty dynamic photographic trio.

From my perspective, Jake is our spearhead; he is not only one of the most self-motivated people I know, but he is a true leader and countless times has pulled us together. He also can walk into a situation and come out with a take-ful of moments, not to mention he is a born reporter. Neil is, I feel, the natural photographer within us. His photos are without fail, well, pretty. Compositionally, he never ceases to impress, and he seems to possess an instinct for framing layers. He's also the king of toning. As far as what I contribute to the trifecta, I'm still unsure, but I think my strong suit is in determination. I want to make pictures that inspire empathy and change lives, and I push myself constantly to be braver and more innovative an artist and journalist.

My goal for the next 365 days is to eclipse everything I've done thus far as a photographer through daily pictures, both journalistic and artistic. I'm hungry for experience and better technical skill, and for all the things I will learn from the people we photograph. I'm not terribly fond of math, but 365 and 2010 are numbers I can get amped about.

01.01.10 - Blake

Karley Hermans, 23, recipiant of the 2004 4-H State Award for Achievement, navigates her way through several ewes while putting hay in their pen, one of her daily chores while at home over Christmas break. Hermans is a Michigan State University alumni and is now attending Cornell University for veterinary medicine. She said that they are able to wrap up the twice daily chores in about 45 minutes. During the winter season, hauling water for the animals is what takes the most time.

Beginnings - Blake

Beginnings for me have always been the easy part. As intimidating as it is too look at a blank page, it's also exciting. The possibilities are truly endless. Finishing when the going gets rough (or simply boring) is much more difficult. Luckily for this project, I have a few friends to help with the follow through.

This blog has its roots in the friendship of three photographers. We met at Central Michigan University while working for the school newspaper. Since then, I've graduated and am working as a freelancer, while Jake May and Libby March are still pursuing their degrees. During my last semester at Central, we critiqued each others work and pushed each other to do more, go farther, and not settle. Hopefully this blog will be an extension of what we started there.

I know we all have different reasons for wanting to take a photo everyday to post here, and I think those reasons will evolve and change over the next 365 days, but for me I'm simply hoping to document my life through the discipline of continually producing work. I'm entering a major season of change and it will be interesting to see how that is reflected in my photos. "Fish or cut bait," one of my photo teachers told me. Here goes.

The only rule - one photo per day.