MCP Project 12: Develop Your Skills as a Photographer
For 2012, we want you to grow as a photographer. We are transitioning from MCP Project 52 (from 2011) to MCP Project 12 for (for 2012). We will not be using the Project 52 Flickr Group going forward and are moving it into archive mode.
What is MCP Project 12?
MCP Project 12 gives photographers the opportunity to take more photos, be creative and have fun. Hobbyist and professional photographers can join us by capturing images based on our monthly themes and share with the MCP community.
At the beginning of each month, for the next 12 months, we will introduce a theme on our blog. You will have up to a month to brainstorm, develop your ideas, and take your photos. If you prefer a weekly challenge, like Project 52, challenge yourself to use the theme in multiple ways. You may upload up to four images per month.
Where are the themes listed?
The monthly theme will be listed in two places.
- On the MCP Project 12 Home Page. (That’s where you are right now.) Bookmark this page in your browser as the “Home Page for Project 12.” We will add the new theme to the list each month. We will also link the month to the new blog post where you enter your photos.
- On the 1st of every month we will introduce a new theme (for January it will be on the 2nd). This post will be under the category “MCP Project 12.” You will enter your image(s) on the monthly posts.
Themes:
January 2012: Theme – RESOLUTION ~ Visit Archived Photos from Month One
February 2012: Theme: Love (Alternate Theme: Leap) – Participate Here Starting 2/1/12
How to participate:
- Enter a comment on this post and let us know you will be joining in. You can participate every month or just a few. Join in at the beginning or start later in the year.
- On each monthly Project 12 Blog post, there will be a linky tool to submit your photo. Photos can be linked back to your Blog, Flickr or other photo hosting site.
<<< Learn how to add your images here. >>>
The guidelines:
We plan to keep things as relaxed as we can for 2012. To help things run smoothly, here are some “rules.”
- Photos need to be taken in the month you are participating. Do not use old photos which happen to work well for a topic.
- Unlike 2011, all photos must fit the theme for the specific month. Be creative and interpret the theme as you wish but make sure it was taken for the theme.
- As of now, we are not limiting the amount of images, as long as they fit the guidelines. This could change. Ideally we would like to see one to four photos per photographer each month. If you want to share more, and each is unique, you may upload these too.
- Collages of multiple images are welcome if all photos fit the theme or tell a story related to it. You are welcome to use tools like our Blog It Boards to display these.
- We would love you to edit the photos in Lightroom, Photoshop or Elements using MCP’s actions or presets. This is not a requirement. We welcome your photos whether edited or not.
- No pornography, nudity, violence or any content deemed illegal by the United States Government. MCP Actions and its designees reserve the right to remove any photo or photos deemed objectionable.
- Images must be taken by you (in other words – you must own the copyright)
- By uploading to our project, you maintain copyright but give us permission to use the photo on our Blog/Facebook, in the context of Project 12. If we want to use a photo for anything else, we will contact you and get your permission in writing. Please consider watermarking and branding your photos using tools like our Finish It action set or Free Facebook Fix Photoshop actions (which can be used for photos anywhere on the web).
- We will not sell our mailing list, but will extract emails from Linky submissions and the comment section of Project 12 posts to communicate with participants, send reminders, etc. If you no longer wish to receive them, you can unsubscribe at any time.
How can we see other photographer’s images?
- You can see all photos on the blog post at the first of each month on the Linky Tools. Just click on the thumbnail images. You are welcome to leave a quick note or “like” for the photographer too, but unless they ask for critique, keep it simple.
- On the last day of every month, we will have a special post from one of our team leaders and possibly an occasional surprise guest. We will share a few of the many photos that spoke to us, moved us, or impressed us in some way. We cannot feature everyone’s images, but we’ll share a small selection of inspirational photos with all of you. We may do additional posts during the month featuring an image – or might mention your photo on the MCP Facebook Page. Watch for these.
How can I get feedback on my photos before I upload them for submission in MCP Project 12?
While you work on your images, you are welcome to post photos to the MCP Facebook Wall and ask for advice and feedback from MCP fans. Alternatively you can post to the comment section of monthly blog post with your photo(s) and ask for ideas, critique, etc from participants. The
How can I contact you with my questions about MCP Project 12?
If there is something we did not cover above, please leave a comment in the “comment section.” If your question is personal, you can also send an email at: mcpproject12@gmail.com.
most important way to grow your photography skills is to practice, practice, practice. Now is your chance.
We want to thank our corporate sponsors for MCP Project 12, Tamron USA and MCP Actions.
If your company wants to take part in sponsoring MCP Project 12, please contact Jodi at jodi@mcpactions.com.
Next Post: MCP Project 12: {Month One} Resolution
I’m in! (So I guess it’s the 11 project for me LOL)
I’m in!!!
I’m in and so inspired! I’m new at this and very enthusiastic about taking bunches of pictures with my brand new Canon
Looking forward to join this journey!
Please count me in!
My photo resize didn’t work!
I will be participating! Can’t wait to get started this month!
Count me in- Sounds like a lot of fun!
I just found this! 11 month project for me!
I’m in!
I’ll give it a try!
I am in! I can’t wait. Thank you.
would luv to join!! count me in!!! i really need this, i”ve been in a slump….need a new camera too;)
I am in!
I’m looking forward to challenging myself with these projects.
[...] am involved in MCP Action’s monthly photography challenge. You may remember last month’s theme, Resolution. I submitted this photo. This [...]
I plan to participate
I’m still here! I just need to find a way to visit y’all *and* get everything else done that keeps calling my name.
(lol) Now if only I could find the “theme” for February…man, I hate being a newbie! 
I’m in for the remainder of the year.
Count me in
I’d like to join in!
Count me in!!!
I’m joining. a month late but still super excited about this project. i’m a beginner so i’m looking forward to improving my photography skills
Is it too late?
Count me in!!!
Just the kind of challenge I was hoping to find! So glad I started a conversation about photography with a new acquaintance ~ she suggested this site.
I want to do this
count me in!
Ready to go try this, first time for me.
I would love to participate! I have left my first entry on the February page
…better late than never
I in!
I want to be a part of this!
I am in! Maybe I will do better with a monthly challenge than I am with the weekly ones!
[...] So here it is. Here is my pledge and the challenge I would like to put to you. My own version of Project 12 as inspired by MCP Actions. [...]
Count me in for Project 12!
Krystyn
KBS Photography
I am in, a bit late, but so excited about particpating in your monthly events
Joining very late and not sure if I will get pictures in this month but looking for something just like this.
Never too late to join!
Live and love your vision… And so happy to see you take this step!
Enjoy!
I’d love to join
I’m in…only a month late, but I’m in!
Ready to go!
would like to join in on the fun…..
I’m in for the 10 Project!
Count me in. Sounds fun.
Let’s go
I’m in!