A Media Student tries to take a photograph every day of the year 2012.
Hello Followers,
I hoped you enjoyed my blog and realise that it has finished. If you still want to see my photographs and other pieces of work, follow this blog
http://markwithalens.tumblr.com/
I hope you follow it, but if not, thank you for following my endeavours none the less.
Mark
Day 365 The end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.
The day has finally come; I remember day one of this project as if it was yesterday. Taking my Canon 500D down to the beach and taking a photograph of the sun rise, starting a project that has made this year quite interesting. Now, 365 days later, it is finished. This will be my last entry of 2012 and this blog. Though I am finished with Photo a Day, I will more than likely make a new blog and you can all follow my endeavours through that, just don’t expect it to be every day.
Now that this is my last post, I feel quite intimidated. I feel like I should make some kind of point, trying to sum this whole thing up. I will, but first I feel like I should thank some people first.
Thank you to all of my followers on Tumblr and to everyone who liked or reblogged my posts/photos, seeing these messages every day has been really cool and made this experience quite enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who commented or liked the links to this blog on Facebook, again reading this support has been really amazing and has helped me on this experience.
To anyone, friends, family and acquaintances, who asked me about this project, said how much they liked it or shared their thoughts. Again, those words of support have been greatly appreciated, especially from a real person rather than a name on the screen.
To everyone who let me take a photo of for Photo a Day or gave me ideas for days, your contribution has greatly helped me in those uninspiring days.
A big thank you to Josie Webster, Becca Fadden, Elicia Powell, Gemma Blaney, Conor McCartney, Blair Glymond, James McKeown , Stevie Lennon, Naomi Boyle, Ian Gardener, Joe Costin and James Dunn. You have all been great stalwart companions to me through this year and project. Thank you for showing me support, helping me with ideas and generally making 2012 a great year to remember.
Also a dear thank you to my family, Mum, Dad, my brother Paul, and even Belle the family dog. (Who helped out get some easy photos seeing as she’s a dog, everyone loves a dog…) You each have helped me with your support and love, for that, I am eternally grateful.
Photo a Day began as a way for me to get better use with my DSLR, to improve my photography and feel like I achieved something. But like most things in life, it turned into something different. People first commented about the project by calling it a virtual diary, a way to remember every day of the year. Though I did not intended this, I thought about what they said and kind of embraced that idea. It was only half way, about Summer time or in September that I stopped and looked back through the posts. It was strange. I can remember every day, not just through the posts, but through the photos themselves, I can remember my state of mind, my feelings at that frozen moment and it’s amazing.
We are all made from memory. Our experiences, emotional state and past actions create the people we are today. Though we don’t realize this fully until we look back and who we were. For the first time I have a way of seeing who Mark Nugent was in January the 28th, who he was in May 10th and who I am now.
Now we all have the means and technology to achieve this. Everyone has some form of camera and way to publish it. Photo a Day projects aren’t necessary difficult, hell someone with an Iphone can achieve it quite easily. To those who have talked to me about doing this kind of thing, my only advice is don’t think, just act. Don’t plan, don’t worry. If you have a camera and Internet connection just do it and be amazed at what you find. You’ll see things differently, see what makes you a person; a human being and you may very well be better of it. Take that first photo and commit you’ll love it.
As for me, I goanna head into the New Year with an attitude to make more media, more photos, more films and more projects. To absorb new media, games, films, books, web comics, so that I can keep my interest and creative juices flowing. To be there for my friends, being a better man and just enjoy 2013 as much as I did 2012.
I am different than I was back in January 1st. I learned more about life than I thought I ever could. It was my first year without a certain family member who passed away 2011 and was a very important part of my life. I lost an old friend on February and haven’t really recovered from that shock. It was also the first year that my future is so clear to me, what I want to be, where I want to go and who I want in my life. In the risk of sound over dramatic, I think 2012 has shown me who I really am.
Still this is it. The end. As I look out to the setting sun, unknown about the future, but deep in the thought of what I want to achieve, I will leave you. It’s been good craic.
I wish you a happy new year and the very best in your 2013. Make it a good one.
My Name is Mark Nugent.
And this has been 365 days of my life.
Day 364 The Beginning
Christmas, four years ago, I got a special present. This camcorder was bought by my family as a special present so that I can make films, take quick pictures and generally pursue my interest in filmmaking and media that I developed in Collage. I was quite happy with this gift, for the first time, I had my own video camera and even after four years I still love it.
Right now it remains on a shelf in my family home. Many of my family have suggested I should sell it, but I can’t. Not that camera, not that one. For this little thing started it all. Though I can say a lot of stuff over the years started my interest. Seeing a photographer in action, watching behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings or making my first video related project in Collage, a horrible advert for a Boost bar.
All of these events kind of helped, but they built only a dream, nothing more. Even when I made projects in Collage and was told that I could have a future, especially with my grades, I didn’t really think there was. Not for me. I was too simple for the world of storytelling or filmmaking.
That was until I got this camera for Christmas about four years ago. Where I filmed my final project for my first diploma in media production, created my first short film, used it to make the most funniest videos of my time in National Diploma in Media, where I made friends who are still a good part of my life. It was only then, after I achieved these goals that I thought, I could do this. I can be a creative, filmmaker, a storyteller.
Even when I got my first DSLR, greatly improving my photography, I never let this camera go. Its just too special to me. I’m never one to “love” objects or items, but this camera comes close, very close indeed.
I don’t know if 19 year old Mark could believe the things he’ll achieve, I know for a fact that university was not a thought in my mind. Still before this project ends and I continue to my next endeavours, I just wanted to show you all where my interest and life as a creative began. With this camera. The creator and holder of memories.
Day 363 Not feeling the best
I wanted to make the last few days of Photo a day to be really good, but unfortunately I am crazy ass sick. Seriously I don’t know if it is an allergic reaction or a cold, but I have been sneezing all night, leaving me with a lack of sleep. So I can honestly say I am a little fucked off.
Grumpy, sick and extremely tired, I was thinking of not bothering with today’s photo, which is a first all year. But I decided to cheat. Earlier today I took some video footage of Belle in the park and use that as todays photo. Hopefully I can be better soon and just make the last two days good for photo a day.
Day 362 Things that remain
I slept in today. Not going to lie, today has been a waste, leaving me watching some DVDs feeling slightly off. But usually these kind of days let me think about things. I started thinking about the changes I face through this whole year. How I’ve grown, how my friends have grown. But I also thought of the things that remain the same.
We as humans can’t take too much change. It scares us, leaves us confused and slightly lost. Some things I know will always be the same. I still have a weakness for cool items to collect, such as books or games. Story will always be the most important part of any medium to me and I will always hate seeing me on camera. I hate my face.
Though I know I have changed, quite a bit, there are parts to me and my world that remain the same. Like these walking sticks. The one in the middle, with all the badges, has been part of our home for as long as I can remember, probably for as long as I have been alive. Dad has spent a large part of his young life of collecting badges, showing where he has been, what he has seen and places them on his walking stick.
I am always amazed at how easy this is to achieve in today’s media. With computers, phones, cameras, we can record and show our lives, telling our own personal stories, which is what I have done with this project. Though this was supposed to be a way of improving my photography, it instead turned to a small collection of my wee day by day stories, which I enjoyed sharing.
I know photo a day will be over quite soon, this Monday in fact, but I don’t think I’ll stop showing photos and telling little stories. Something new will come, but the idea will remain the same.
Day 361 Sale
After a lie in due to the aftermath of a night in the Point, I decided to head out with brother Paul and look for some nifty bargains in Newry. Paul and I found quite a bit, but I was surprised at the lack of people, thinking that old Newry would be filled with desperate shoppers. Still it was a good day, but due to lack of sleep I got pretty shattered and went to sleep when I got home. So I won’t be writing too much today and will try to take a better photo and post tomorrow.
Day 360 Boxing Day
Today we were greeted with a visit from Uncle Sammy, who came down for some lunch with the family. Once again Belle went crazy, as she loves having new people around the house. After some catching up and Christmas Lunch the sequel, Sam, my dad and I went out to the Water Works to feed some ducks and walk Belle. Later on I will be out tonight with some friends, so Boxing day remains a good day. An aftermath of all festivities
Day 359 Christmas Day
Christmas is not about celebrating one day, but celebrating the days yet to come I feel. With presents being given, good luck to share and sending wishes to the ones you love. I love thinking about the future, the days to come and all the time you have left to spend.
I love Christmas, always had and always will. I just feel different, everything seems nicer and it always makes me think back to the people I love. Especially my family, who yet again, given me far too much presents this year, some I know not only cost them quite a bit, but will help me out for my endeavours next year. I also think of my friends, each who have supported me this year with their friendship, love and complete madness.
I also made a video, a montage of clips I filmed for the days coming up to Christmas, if you’d like, you could watch it here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UADfkDbjbs
Still, Merry Christmas to you all and I wish you a happy new year.
Day 358 Halfway through the dark
Christmas Eve is always nice. It has some kind of peacefulness to it. It is the time when everything is done and finished, leaving you inside to rest with family, awaiting Christmas day to dawn.
Well I say this, but my mum and brother haven’t had time for resting, I’ve pretty much seen them racing about the kitchen, cooking meals and treats for tomorrow. As I type they are doing some finishing touches to the turkey. What kind of finishing touches? I have no idea. Still I’ve enjoyed the rest. I haven’t really been the vision of Christmas Spirit to my family today, as I’m pretty tired. Seems like every bone in my body has been released from my maddening rush through the year of 2012 and I can finally have some peace.
Still I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas Eve, it may not be the time for Christmas dinner or presents, but its still nice to just sit back and relax, knowing that we’re only halfway through the dark of winter.
Day 357 Preparation on the eve of Christmas eve
After a very enjoyable night in the point last night with Naomi and friends, I woke up around mid day to find the family busy preparing for the Christmas dinner for Christmas day. Paul was clearing out the fridge to make room for the turkey, which Mum and Dad were out buying at the time. I helped cooked the ham and Mum prepared some stuffing. So I think other items will be cooked tomorrow, but being the lazy student son I am, I mostly kept out of the way.
Still everyone was doing their bit for the day and its strange to think of how much work comes into it. But its all worth it in the end, sitting with the family, around the table. Its so good, I can’t imagine not having that moment on Christmas day. To think of being alone or doing something else is kind of a sad thought to me.
I am quite aware that I am facing my last week of this project. About seven more days will see the end of my Photo a day thing. Its both a relieving and sad feeling, but everything has to end sometime. That was always the goal, always the finish.
Day 356
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bratpack Christmas lunch was cancelled. Which kind of left me sitting around all day, not knowing what to do. Still I tried to make the most of it though, by looking around Warrenpoint, but the town seems to be getting more and more empty with each visit, with nothing to see and nothing to do. Though thats what comes with time, even cities like Liverpool will get small with the coming of time.
I bought some magazines, as I had little books to read during the holidays and some gifts for the family. Now I just sitting around waiting for the appropriate time to go down for drinks, don’t think I could stand another night in before Christmas.
Day 355 Christmas in Belfast
I go shopping in the city every year, its bit of a tradition to me. What better place to do your Christmas shopping than Belfast city centre? I love seeing the lights, markets and festivities, even when I was a little kid shopping with my parents. Theres just something special about it now, despite the knowledge of crowds, rushing shoppers and awkward queues, I still love it.
I managed to finish off my Christmas shopping the the city, so I looked round for any items for myself. I looked round the market at City hall, seeing all of the familiar stalls. Still one addition was a stall that sold hand crafted statues and leather journals, which I really loved. So much I bought one to write in for the new year. When I got back home, I was pretty wrecked, but that didn’t stop me from writing cards and wrapping presents for both friends and family.
So now that the shopping is done with, its just a matter of enjoying the season with friends and family.
Oh and today was supposed to be the end of the world. Funny that.
Day 354 Fixing Christmas
Last night, some of the lights blew out of the Christmas tree, which meant a trip into Newry to buy some new lights, as an unlit tree at Christmas is bit of a miserable sight. After a look through town, we got some lights and returned home to put them up on the tree.
So far I’ve been pretty much out everyday, which is a good thing, as I can never handle staying in the house all day very well. This routine will continue, especially for the weekend ahead, where I will be going to Belfast for some Christmas shopping and a day with the Bratpack.
Day 353 Raining Dental
Today was a pretty shit day weather wise. Northern Irish Rain hasn’t lost its charm and pretty much put a dull atmosphere throughout the day. Still, myself and Paul needed to go into Newry for a Dentist appointment, not the kind of thing you would think was worthy to go out in the rain for. We went anyway and I was a bit gutted to learn I went from an all clear, to a oh, theres a tooth needing a filling there. Feck sake.
Day 352 Chasing Balls
Today was a quiet one, the only things I did really were help mum with the shopping, organising a christmas lunch with the Bratpack and walking the family dog Belle. Today it was just me walking the dog, as Dad had a dentist appointment and Paul didn’t feel well. It was nice though, I felt like I’ve been spending individual time with each member of the family so far, its only fair that I have some alone time with the family dog.
The walk through the fairy glenn into Kilbroney was normal, unitIl Belle found herself a ball by the river. She grabbed it and basically showed it off to me. So we continued the walk until Belle came in front of me, dropped the ball and give me a look that was asking for one thing only, play.
Seeing as the ground was muddy as feck, I decided to kick the ball. I would kick it down the path, Belle would chase it, pick it up, we would walk down a couple more steps and repeat the process. That is until I kicked too far and the damned thing fell into the river.
Belle was humorously distraught, watching the ball float away and giving me a dirty look. I too watched the ball floating away, feeling quite guilty, when Belle looked at me, I simply replied, “What do you want me to do about it?”
I’m sure Belle had an answer for that, but she kept it to herself. We continued down the river, keeping an eye out for it. I was actually thinking up ways of getting it back for her, but the ball disappeared, never to be seen again.
Still before you think I’m the worst dog owner ever, I got back to the car, picked up a few balls and played fetch with Belle for good ten to fifteen minutes. She enjoyed herself and the walk, leaving me thinking that this may be an interesting story for Photo a Day.
