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! Yippee!
Hi, My name is Ashley and im excited to start this project
I am a young aspiring photographer and I am looking forward to getting some real critiques hopefully. Its hard to get honest opinions and you can’t learn unless you know your flaws.
I am in for sure!
I’m on!!!
New camera for Christmas = I’m clueless, highly motivated, and want to learn.
Always have used a point & shoot before. High learning curve for me.
Better start working on the “resolution” photo!
I’ve never participated in something like this before, but I think I’d like to try.
Sounds like a fun project. Would love to participate.
FYI Photo web site above under construction
I might be a little late, but count me in.
Count me in!
I’d love to try this!
Yeseree!
I am excited to start this project!!
I am in!
Hi, I am Consu, I live in Cambridge. I want to learn how to use my camera in a proper way and I need a challenge to be more systematic.
My passion is taking pictures of birds…I hope to put some fair picture up
I just got a brand new camera and I think this would be a great way to get my feet wet! =)
I’m in ~~~
i’d love to join in on the fun!
I will be joining in! Sounds fun.
I will be joining in. Sounds fun!
I’d like to participate, too.
I will try my best. Taking on 3 other projects as well. I was really lazy last year so I want to go for it this year and stretch myself photographically.
I’m planning on joining you! I’m so excited about the challenge.
Excited to join this!
Excited to join this:)
I will be joining Project12. Thank you!
Looking forward to the projects.
Thank you,
Wow, so many people joining! count me in too!
I would like to participate! Count me in
I’ll be joining! Excited to begin the new year focusing on resolutions… with my actual resolution! (Photographing more than just brides & families).
I’m in!
I’m joining in – Thanks!
Sounds interesting! Count me in! And thanks!
I’m in for project 12. Putting the final touches on my resolution entries!
I will be joining your project 12. I look forward to the challenge. Thanks for this opportunity.
hmmm…getting old. Can’t remember if I responded to this yet or not, but this sounds like a fun thing to try. Count me in!
I would love to participate!
I will try this out, what do I have to lose
Joining in… better late than never, right? Now to get going with a week left..
Ok…I’m joining up…hope I can complete all the themes.
i would love to participate! this sounds so fun and like a great way to challenge my skills and push me in new ways. can’t wait!
I’m in!
I’m in!
Gonna TRY it!
Need a challenge!
Sounds fun! I’m in.
Count me in!
I would love to be a part of this!
I’m in!!
I’m a bit late but, definitely in! I really want to try and get every month completed.
This is awesome, I am a hobbyist and would love to have this as a guide to help me practice and learn. Thanks!
This looks like a fun challenge! I’m in.
Awesome! I need inspiration. I’m in starting in Feb!
Should be fun =)
I’m a little late, but I’m in!! I’m still new to the business. I think Project 12 will be a perfect challenge for me, and I, hopefully, will grow from it! I’m excited!!
I would like to participate and see what it’s all about!
This is fantastic. I’m in.
im in
thought that i had responded…not sure…i’m in
This sounds like a great challenge! I’d love to participate!
Thank you!
Great way to keep the creative juices flowing …
Would love to give this a shoot. Great way to challenge yourself.
This sounds like a lot of fun!!! I want in!
sounds great -thanks!
Can’t wait! This looks really fun!
I’m in!
I am truly interested in this. Love taking photos but not good at retouching & finding the right things to take pics.
Maria
[...] taken photos of my Bible before, but I took this one for a specific reason… MCP Actions Project 12. It’s basically a themed photo challenge every month. The theme for January is [...]
I’m in! Yippee!
I’m in!
I’m in attempted this last year on my own and failed miserably!
But my resolution for 2012 is to take more pictures!!
Count me in. It sounds like fun.
I would love to participate. I am now in this challenge.
I’ll give it a go! I need to inspiration/motivation. Thanks for this!
I’d love to participate! Thanks for your site and time!
Looks like fun, count me in!
I’d like to do this too!
I’m excited to join in with the fun! What a great way to challenge ourselves as photographers.
I’m in! Sounds like fun
so much good info on here!
I’d love to participate
Count me in! Hope to participate all themes 
Better late than never:) Sounds like fun!
Yay – I’m in!!
[...] to develop your photography skills. So, check it out. You might want to join in there. Check out MCP Project 12. It’s a great idea and one I may take part in later. But, for now…my goal is to [...]
I want to join the MCP Project 12!
I’m late but I’m in!!
I’d like to do this too. I’m in!
Would love to participate – link not working though – just need to leave comment here?!* Can’t wait – so glad I caught this before the 1st of Feb!
After a bit of difficulty uploading- im in!
[...] in growing your photography skills this year or just want to have some fun, check out the MCP site here and sign up for the project. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
I’m a little late, but I’ll be joining in!
I would really like to improve my photography skills and this seems like a fun way to do it. I would like to join.
I’ll try to do some now and then! I enjoy looking at them… why not join in?
I really would like to try this out. I am a bit computer/blog challenged and lead a busy, busy life but I need to get out there and be challenged. I need my camera in my hands and it has sadly found a home in its bag and I’m not happy about that! I hope to be able to upload some photos this month! Thank you for the opportunity!
I will be joining in the fun!!!
I’d love to give it a go! I like to have a reason to take photos other than just for the heck of it. This will require intention, so thank you!
I’m in!
I would love to give it a try, having camera difficulties, but we’ll see what I can come up with
Yes, I want in. This will give me a chance to develop my skills. Thanks MCP!
Love to be challenged and Looking forward to getting creative
I am in, too….New as I am, I sure will have a go.
Will read how to load a pic up tomorrow as it is now time to go to bed! Sounds, like I might enjoy myself here in M(C)P
Such a wonderful idea. My resolution is to get more creative this year, and this would be perfect. Can’t wait to start brainstorming ideas, and look forward to seeing everyone else’s interpretations!