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I'm an Italian photographer and in 2020, I had great difficulties taking pictures due to the pandemic situation and a deep lack of motivation. So I decided to begin a 365 Project in 2021 to have a reason to go out and shoot: I shot and posted a photo every day for 365 days to have a visual diary of that year, for me a year of rebirth.

It was not easy to take a (nice) photo every single day of the year but I succeeded. Not every image is actually good but that's okay. During last year I (re)learned to keep my eyes wide open, and now, after 365 days, I'm finally ready to fill my eyes again with love and wonder.

If you'd like to see more of my work, check out my post about the time I asked people to share a movie that defines them.

More info: Instagram | liewoec.wordpress.com

Bored Panda has reached out to Alessio to find out more about his 365 Project. We wanted to know about the process of choosing the subject matter for his daily photographs. He told us, "Well, my work is usually focused on urban photography and street photography, so it was natural for me to choose daily life and candid pictures of the people around me as a mirror of the year I lived. It wasn't easy to take a photo every day with all the restrictions that there were in Italy in some weeks of 2021, but it was a nice challenge. Most of the photos are taken in Rome, but I had the chance to travel a bit, so there are also photos of Monopoli (Southern Italy), Sicily, Naples, and Barcelona."

#2

Day 365: Every End Is A New Beginning

Day 365: Every End Is A New Beginning

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#3

Day 352: Saturday Morning Sunshower

Day 352: Saturday Morning Sunshower

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Next, we asked him how he kept himself motivated to take a photo every day for a whole year. Alessio answered: "It wasn't easy actually, but after 2020, I really needed to leave my comfort zone - my couch, my room - and feel like a photographer again. The funny thing is, I didn't decide to start a 365 Project until January 1st. I took a photo that day and thought, 'Well, I'm going to do this every day until December 31st!' I began to post photos every day on my blog, so my biggest motivation was to finish what I started. I didn't want to disappoint myself and be seen as a quitter."

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#4

Day 92: There Is Always A Hidden Treasure To Find In Rome, Just Walk…

Day 92: There Is Always A Hidden Treasure To Find In Rome, Just Walk…

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#5

Day 153: I’ll Be There For You, You’ll Be There For Me

Day 153: I’ll Be There For You, You’ll Be There For Me

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mistralok avatar
Mistralok
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best of the lot by far. Couple pictures are always either arm in arm, hugging each other face to face, or her cuddling him from behind. They are sharing this bench equally, and resting on and with each other. This is what true love looks like. Oh BTW, this is the song that's going through my head as I write this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvxagNIBVLU

We were interested in the challenges or obstacles Alessio faced during the 365 Project. He told us: "Some days it was quite easy to take photos, but other days were really hard because I wanted to maintain the quality of my work and didn't want to post a bad photo. Some days were frustrating because I couldn't find anything good to photograph, and on a few occasions, it was tough because I was sick and could only take photos from my window. But looking back now, I can see that every obstacle was a learning experience and something useful. So I'm very satisfied with the results of the project."

#6

Day 183: I Tried To Take Some Pictures In The Afternoon But It Was Too Warm And I Met Just A Solitary Man In The Middle Of The Square

Day 183: I Tried To Take Some Pictures In The Afternoon But It Was Too Warm And I Met Just A Solitary Man In The Middle Of The Square

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#7

Day 359: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (With A Vespa)

Day 359: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (With A Vespa)

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Next, Alessio told us about particularly inspiring or memorable events from the year he got to photograph. He said: "Yes, there were a lot, actually! First of all, I think about the Euro Cup that Italy won. They played a lot of games in Rome, so I took many pictures of football fans and celebrations for the win. Then, I spent a good part of my summer in Southern Italy, so the sea was an important subject of the project. Finally, I tried to highlight the passing of time, so there is a photo of Santa during the Christmas holidays and fireworks in the last photo of the project on New Year's Eve. I was definitely influenced by the days I was living, of course."

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#8

Day 89: First Day In “Orange Zone”, After Two Weeks Of Lockdown. A Feeble Light In The Darkness

Day 89: First Day In “Orange Zone”, After Two Weeks Of Lockdown. A Feeble Light In The Darkness

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#9

Day 197: Today, Walking In The Street, I Met Peter Pan And His Shadow…

Day 197: Today, Walking In The Street, I Met Peter Pan And His Shadow…

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We were also wondering if the photographer is planning to start another 365 Project. He said: "I don't think so. I'm not planning to start another daily practice like that for now. I have beautiful memories of this project, but I think it's so special to me because I did it once. If I still took a photo every day, maybe it would become boring or just pointless. I need to know where the finish line is to keep my motivation alive. By the way, I still go out to take photos quite often, but I also enjoy those days with no photos. I have less pressure and can focus on what I really want to photograph. It's important. If I had to do a 365 Project again, I'd try to do something different like taking a portrait of a stranger every day or explore a different photographic genre to experience something new or different."

#10

Day 58: If Anything Goes Wrong, Pizza Will Be My Constant

Day 58: If Anything Goes Wrong, Pizza Will Be My Constant

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#11

Day 127: Some Good News: My Swab Is Negative And Mourinho Signed For Roma. There Is Enthusiasm In The Air

Day 127: Some Good News: My Swab Is Negative And Mourinho Signed For Roma. There Is Enthusiasm In The Air

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Lastly, we wanted to know what the biggest lesson or takeaway from the project was. Alessio said: "After the pandemic and all the restrictions, I found a new kind of connection with people, human beings, and the marvelous treasures of daily life. I learned to see my city as a space where human stories intersect. Through street photography, I tried to capture the soul of life around me and the beauty of everyday experiences. I learned how life can be surprising and wonderful, even in the most common situations. We are often so focused on our 'big plan' that we forget the details, the little things that make life beautiful. Thanks to the 365 Project, I learned to savor those small moments of joy in a day with no great highlights. It's like a new way to pursue happiness, not easy to walk, but when your feelings are aligned with all the beautiful moments of life around you, it's really a gift."

#12

Day 76: Postcard From Garbatella. Third Day Of Lockdown, But Walking In The Neighborhood Is Allowed

Day 76: Postcard From Garbatella. Third Day Of Lockdown, But Walking In The Neighborhood Is Allowed

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#13

Day 139: Sweeping The Dust Of Time

Day 139: Sweeping The Dust Of Time

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#14

Day 209: Who Needs Hugs?

Day 209: Who Needs Hugs?

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#15

Day 228: I’m Back In Rome. All Around Me It’s Weirdly Quiet, Silently. Nobody Is Out

Day 228: I’m Back In Rome. All Around Me It’s Weirdly Quiet, Silently. Nobody Is Out

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#16

Day 348: Today I Just Wanted To Eat Pizza And Say Hi To The Sea, So I Went To Napoli

Day 348: Today I Just Wanted To Eat Pizza And Say Hi To The Sea, So I Went To Napoli

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#17

Day 101: Fifteen Minutes By Car And You Can Visit A Different Place, Outside Rome

Day 101: Fifteen Minutes By Car And You Can Visit A Different Place, Outside Rome

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#18

Day 189: Vimercate Is A Small Town In Lombardia, Not Far From Milano. I’ve Been There Just For A Night And A Few Hours In The Morning. I Miss The Sea And The Heat Of The South

Day 189: Vimercate Is A Small Town In Lombardia, Not Far From Milano. I’ve Been There Just For A Night And A Few Hours In The Morning. I Miss The Sea And The Heat Of The South

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#19

Day 57: Let’s Surround Ourselves With The Great Beauty

Day 57: Let’s Surround Ourselves With The Great Beauty

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#20

Day 166: I Love Street Photography. Sometimes You Walk For Hours And You Can’t Find Anything To Photograph, Sometimes You Just Walk Around The Corner And You Find A Good Scene, A Gift, A Treasure. It’s Pure Magic. It’s Exciting

Day 166: I Love Street Photography. Sometimes You Walk For Hours And You Can’t Find Anything To Photograph, Sometimes You Just Walk Around The Corner And You Find A Good Scene, A Gift, A Treasure. It’s Pure Magic. It’s Exciting

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mark-karolchik avatar
Mark Karol-Chik
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel the same. Every workday, I find an interesting scene at my job that I have to capture and share.

#21

Day 311: Sunday Morning In The Rare Old Times

Day 311: Sunday Morning In The Rare Old Times

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#22

Day 181: The Sun Is Warm, But If You Are Chasing A Dream, Don’t Give Up!

Day 181: The Sun Is Warm, But If You Are Chasing A Dream, Don’t Give Up!

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#23

Day 192: We Are The Champions, My Friends!

Day 192: We Are The Champions, My Friends!

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#24

Day 296: Mood Of The Day

Day 296: Mood Of The Day

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#25

Day 325: Street Portrait In El Born, Barcelona

Day 325: Street Portrait In El Born, Barcelona

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#26

Day 155: This Morning I Took Some Picture But When I Back Home I Wasn’t Satisfied. So In The Late Afternoon I Decided To Walk A Bit In The Neighborhood To Find Something Better And After Ten Minutes I Took This Image. The Teaching Is: If You Are Not Happy With Your Works, Try Harder And Walk A Bit More

Day 155: This Morning I Took Some Picture But When I Back Home I Wasn’t Satisfied. So In The Late Afternoon I Decided To Walk A Bit In The Neighborhood To Find Something Better And After Ten Minutes I Took This Image. The Teaching Is: If You Are Not Happy With Your Works, Try Harder And Walk A Bit More

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#27

Day 39: Sometimes Our Thoughts Branch Out Into Our Winter Melancholy

Day 39: Sometimes Our Thoughts Branch Out Into Our Winter Melancholy

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#28

Day 69: Anybody Who Talks About Roman Hedonism Has Never Spent His Youth In Monte Mario

Day 69: Anybody Who Talks About Roman Hedonism Has Never Spent His Youth In Monte Mario

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mark-karolchik avatar
Mark Karol-Chik
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an interesting photo- it looks like his shadow is extending its arms, whereas the walker is not.

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#29

Day 273: Something Is Rotten In The State Of Garbatella

Day 273: Something Is Rotten In The State Of Garbatella

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#30

Day 73: Last Day In “Yellow Zone” (Tomorrow Will Be “Red Zone”: Lockdown). Swab Day

Day 73: Last Day In “Yellow Zone” (Tomorrow Will Be “Red Zone”: Lockdown). Swab Day

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#31

Day 95: Last Day Of Holiday

Day 95: Last Day Of Holiday

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#32

Day 345: You See, In This World There’s Two Kinds Of People, My Friend: Those With “Loaded” Cameras And Those Who Dig. You Dig

Day 345: You See, In This World There’s Two Kinds Of People, My Friend: Those With “Loaded” Cameras And Those Who Dig. You Dig

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bearfloor1 avatar
Barry Patterson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Either something very nice or something very scary is going to happen in someones garden.

#33

Day 292: Hey Quentin!

Day 292: Hey Quentin!

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