It’s not rocket science

The idea behind 366 pictures was very simple. Every day throughout 2012 (and 2016 too) I published a photograph that I took on that day. The pictures were published on the site with an accompanying explanation or story.

Who took the pictures?

All the pictures were taken by me, Simon Jones (pictured above). I’m a story-hunting traveler who has published content online since the heady days of the 90’s when people still used dial-up internet and great big beige computers! You can find other sites by me here or check out my blog for more of my pictures and words.

Why 2012?

There was no significance to the year. I had wanted to do something like this for a while and it just so happened that after spending time relaxing at a friend’s house in New Zealand, I had the opportunity to get this project up and running. By chance 2012 happened to become an interesting year for me as I traveled in a very unplanned way around the world taking in the many different landscapes and cultures of the 20 countries I visited.

Why 366 and not 365?

2012 was a leap year. That was handy because 365pictures.com was already taken.

What camera was used to take the pictures?

I used a Canon Powershot G10 up until March 25th. It had been my daily camera for more than three years and it was pretty beaten up so I changed to the Canon Powershot G12 in Malaysia. That camera failed toward the end of the year and was replaced with another G12 after a very brief time using a cheap Nikon camera.

How were the pictures chosen?

It was often very difficult to choose a picture as I often prepared a few photographs for publication, knowing of course, that I can only choose one. I generally asked myself which picture told a story. After that, I chose the picture based on its composition, color, and general interest. Sometimes, though, I just chose a picture for the simple reason that it captured a key moment of that day for me. It was often very difficult to decide so on a number of occasions I asked strangers in café’s (where I often work with my laptop) which picture they might choose.

Are the pictures photoshopped?

I did use Photoshop to crop the pictures and make minor cosmetic changes (like removing lens artifacts) where necessary. It was my aim to keep post-processing of the pictures to a minimum simply because I didn’t want to spend hours at the end of the day working on my computer. Occasionally such work was necessary and at those times the pictures were ‘worked on.’

Were the pictures always posted on-time?

On the whole, the pictures were posted on, or right after, the date the photograph was taken. However, toward the end of the year, due to an exhausting travel schedule, I did behind. The backlog took a few days to clear but the photographs that were published were all strictly from the day they were taken.

Use of the pictures

The photographs you see on this website are all copyright and cannot be used without first obtaining my written consent. The pictures are monitored by a copyright protection service, so it’s very likely I will find any unauthorized use. If you wish to use any picture from this site please email me.

Spelling and grammar errors

While I enjoy writing and do my best to do so without faults, I am prone to making spelling and grammar errors. I blame this on my early education, but excuses aside, I ALWAYS appreciate it when people take the time to let me know when I’ve made a mistake. That way I can correct it and hopefully learn something. So please, feel free to correct me.

How does this site make money?

It doesn’t. Like so many of my internet ventures, this site is a labor of love.

How can you afford all this travel?

I build and maintain websites for companies and organizations. This can be done from any location throughout the world so back in 2010 I decided to give away most of my stuff, pack up and store my valuables, leave my rented apartment with just a couple of bags and pursue a life on the road for a while. I watch my budget very closely, but also throw caution to the wind and follow my heart because as long as it’s still beating I don’t intend to miss a moment!

What am I doing now?

After 2012 I was exhausted. I returned to Australia and rested for a while enjoying a slower pace of life and many a cup of Melbourne’s finest coffee here and there. I’ve had a few more adventures since then, including exploring Vietnam by motorbike, you can find out about those and (maybe) where I am now by visiting my blog at beforeiforget.co.uk.

How did you feel when 2013 came around?

It was strange not having to find a picture on January the 1st. It was a beautiful day in New Zealand and I was in the habit of looking for the ‘picture of the day.’ At the same time though, it was nice to be able to have a break as the project was very time-consuming. That said, it was a LOT of fun doing 366 pictures. The experience changed my life, broadened my understanding of the world we all call home and fuelled my desire to continue living a life full of stories and experiences. I saw beauty before 2012, but this project pushed me to find something beautiful in my day, every day. It made me take notice of the world that might otherwise pass by unnoticed.

Am I still taking pictures?

Absolutely yes! My camera is never far away, I use my iPhone more than I would like, but you know what they say, the best camera is the one in your hand!

What about 2016?

I did this all again in 2016.

Is this something you’ll do every leap year?

I missed 2020 because of other commitments and COVID-19, but you never know. It’s really an amazing thing to do, a challenge, and an incredible way to turn up the wonder of your life, so maybe I will do it again.

Some of the pictures are crap!

Life is like a box of chocolates, right?