It was the 4am Project’s 2nd birthday on the 24th April, the date of the last global event, and 100′s of photographers across the globe took part in the birthday celebrations by leaving their beds and heading out into their neighbourhoods to capture their view of the world.
Some photographers had their cameras for company, some got together with friends, and whether solo or in a group, they all contributed to a global photography collaboration. This event alone resulted in over 1000 photographs being submitted, and since the project began two years ago, there are over 6000 quality images from over 40 countries! Amazing!
So, without further ado, sit back and enjoy April 2011 the view of the world before dawn….
I’ll have to kick off with the event I organised in my home city of Birmingham UK. I got together with Project Brutal and the iconic Central Library (which may be demolished) open it’s doors to over 40 photographers! I’ve blogged about it in more detail over on my Karen Strunks blog, but here are just a few of the highlights.
Steve Cooper captured some 4am roof top footage too!
Not only did Mr Underwood take photos, he recorded the Sounds Of A Dying Library at 4am. Well worth checking out. Who knew a building could make such sounds in the middle of the night!
Enjoy some more 4am photographs taken from other parts of the world!
It’s always great to read and hear the stories behind the photos, and why people set their alarms to get up and take part in the project.
I love this video from Andrew Stuart who says of himself….. “The one where Andrew talks nonsense and makes little sense at a time when you are (or should) be asleep”. Great beach setting.
Andrew has also made an audio boo too!
And Andew sums the appeal of the project perfectly in his blog post. “It’s something else the 4am project gives. I very much doubt anyone would say “yes, i’ll drive 100 miles across the country to take photos alongside a person i’ve never met, in the middle of the night, for no genuine reason”. However, the reason of it being in tandem with a lot of other photographers, insomniac or not, busy or quiet, and of different levels of interest, ability and style, even though you are not quite present, means the project thrives.”
DJ Leekee didn’t let a broken tripod stop him from getting some great shots!
Gollyslater wrote about the 4am Project in a blog post titled ‘How social media takes a great idea global’.
The Fab MJ blogged about how everything fell into placefor him on the night after telling himself “up you get and do what you’ve been banging on about for the last few years”!
Matt Appleby talks about what he has learnt from the 4am Project. “I’ve met some interesting new people, added a few more flickr contacts and got a great insight into how social media can take a simple (very good) idea global. It was also lots of fun”
There is no doubt that perceptions of familiar day time views change at 4am. Whilst everyone else is asleep there are photographers across the world embracing not just a collaborative project, but the secrets of the scenes that 4am holds.
What’s happening next?!
Well, you’l be pleased to hear that the 4am Project is set to continue! As of now, I am planning the hold the next global 4am event in the Autumn, September/October time, so watch this space or keep on eye out on twitter for announcements too.
I’ve also got a LOT of other plans for the project that I would love to realise. For the last two years, not only have I been working behind the scenes running the project, but also coming up with ideas to help it grow and reach it’s full potential. There is an AMAZING archive of images online and it would be great to see them off line too in a touring exhibition for example. That’s just one (big!) idea, and there’s plenty more. I realise I’m going to need help if I want to develop the project and take it forward, so I’ll be reaching out to companies that are a good match for the project and are in-line with it’s ethos, and have the ability to support the project in it’s development to see if they wish to sponsor the project.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the project! And for all your enthusiasm and great feedback too. Here’s to the next 4am Project event!
![Chiado/Cais do Sodré [4amproject 4:00am]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5089301830_b84736b12d.jpg)
