52 Week Photo Project: Let's Do 52 Challenge With Paint the Moon { Photoshop Actions }

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Alright “Let’s Do 52er’s,” thank you so much to those of you that participated in the 2011 project. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all your work and was blown away each week as I browsed through all the wonderful images. I am honored you chose to join us on this journey and be a part of this fabulous group. While I may technically be the host, there would be no project without you, so I hope you consider it to be YOUR project! Also, if you’re getting here a little late in the game – no worries! Join anytime!

For those of you that are planning on joining us in 2012, welcome (or welcome back to the many familiar faces)! I hope you enjoy the project as much as the rest of us, and find the group to be inspiring, fun and something that will challenge you to stretch your creative wings. I also hope you learn a thing or two along the way. I really want the project to challenge you and to stretch not only your photography skills, but your creative thinking and help you hone your personal style as well. At the end of 2012 I hope you can look back at the photos you’ve taken and burst with pride at the memories you’ve captured, the growth you’ll see in your photography and the challenges you’ve conquered.

I also have a little treat for our members. I’ve created a very special FREE album template to place your Let’s Do 52 photos in and at the end of each month you’ll receive that month’s page(s). At the end of the year we’ll all have an album to print or share as you wish – a treasure to commemorate this journey and to remember the beautiful year that 2012 is sure to be!

For those who want to show off your commitment to the Let’s Do 52 group (or who have been chosen as a Pick of the Week and want to grab the special button), please see the button page for easy code to copy and past on your blog or site.

Another goal this year is to make the project more interactive. I want to find ways to include more of you in the process. This is as much your project as it is mine, so if you have interest in contributing to the project, whether as a moderator, coming up with theme ideas, or if you just have an idea you’d like to share, please email me and let me know how you feel you can best contribute. If you’d like to be a moderator, or have any suggestions, below is a short listing of what I would please ask that you send me.

Moderator or Contributor Information (if you’d like to offer themes or other suggestions or help behind the scenes):

Contact Info: Name, e-mail, phone

Location: I’d like to know where in the world you are.

Website Address/URL or Facebook page: I’d love to check out your work!

What you think you can add to the project, or what suggestions you have for the project. In other words, would you like to moderate, have a great theme idea, maybe you have another great suggestion. I want to hear your ideas for making this the best 52 project possible.

Lastly, if you want to be a moderator, please tell me in as few words as possible why you want to be a moderator, and why you think you’d be a good fit. While being a moderator is not technically a job (although it’s not a paying gig, those who have helped in the past have been known to get Paint the Moon perks throughout the year), I do need to make sure anyone that takes it on is committed and in it with me for the long haul. I’ll only be choosing a few moderators, so if you wanting to be a moderator, please be able to commit time on a regular basis. Those who help moderate and possibly write blog posts will be credited with links to your photography site.

Together we can take the project to a whole new level. Once again, please email me if you’d like to be a contributor to the project.

For those new to the group … just a few points to remember:

??If you want to post your image to share with everyone as well as have a chance at being a “Pick of the Week,” be sure to sign up for Flickr (free and easy photo sharing site) if you haven’t already. You can find our Let’s Do 52 Flickr group here – so come join in! If you would rather not post on Flickr, that’s okay too… remember, this is YOUR project. You may alternatively share on our Facebook wall or just follow along on your own. You can now also check out our Flickr group’s photos right from Facebook.

? We’ll have fun themes every week (two to choose from – or if you feel ambitious, do both!), but you can choose whether to follow along with the theme or go on your own. The first theme is usually more emotive and open to interpretation than the second theme, so those who want to stretch their creativity may do so and those who want something more literal as their theme are happy too. And if neither theme/idea sparks your interest you are always free to go on your own with whatever idea you have that particular week. We’ll be adding in some fun challenges, features and tutorials as well to help keep you growing in your skills and revving up those creative juices!! Each new set of themes will be posted on Sunday.

? Post a photo each week … and feel free to join us at any time! And, please, this is supposed to be fun … so no beating yourself up if you miss a week!

? Whatever camera you use to take photos for your project, it’s up to you. And no special processing is necessary (unless you are posting on the Facebook wall or would like a chance at starring on the blog, then you’re encouraged to use PTM products for processing). Pros, amateurs and newbies alike are all encouraged to join in! We never stop learning and growing … that is the beauty of photography!

? Photos may be used on the Paint the Moon blog or Facebook page Please include any information and/or links you want included in case we feature your photo, including if you’ve used Paint the Moon actions or textures in your editing (though not required).

? Be sure to keep checking in on the Paint the Moon blog and Facebook page for articles, inspiration and the weekly themes!

? Invite all your friends to come join us too … especially with those who have a passion for photography! The more we can get to support and inspire one another the better … pros and amateurs alike. So share the info via your favorite social networks, blogs, Twitter, etc. because the more we get to play along the more fun we’ll all have! There are buttons for all our members who would like to put one on their blog here, and those who have their photos chosen as Picks of the Week can grab the special “Pick of the Week” button to display if you wish. Note: no blog needed to participate!

Let’s get started … for the first week of 2012 the themes/ideas are (pick one or choose your own if you desire):

I am so excited to kick this project off for 2012 and cannot wait to travel this journey with all of you!!

Important links (note that there is also a special group just for kids so that you may participate in the project as a family):

Original Let’s Do 52 Flickr Group (for us big people)
Original Let’s Do 52 Details (again, for us old folks)
Paint the Moon Facebook Page – Come Share, Be Inspired, Ask Questions

Let’s Do 52 – Kids Click Too! Flickr Group
Let’s Do 52 – Kids Click Too! Original Blog Post