Documenting a year in words is one thing, but remembering to shoot something magical everyday is quite another.

So what inspires someone to take on a 366-day exercise?

“I have always been interested in doing a project such as this,” said Gareth Lewis. “Something about capturing a year of life, in images, has always appealed to me. It has been done before, but as far as I am aware not in Bermuda.

“It was also a way of forcing myself to stay active with the camera; to always be on the lookout for an image, no matter where I was or what I was doing.

“It also honed my ability to find something interesting among the day-to-day, places I see on a routine basis. I am fascinated with the idea of capturing time, freezing moments — the simple power of the camera; the ability to capture a moment that is now and will never repeat itself, at the click of a button.”

He added: “Once I’d got a few months into the project I was sure that I would make it and resolved at that point to book an exhibition space, as I knew that something like this would have to be shared with the people of Bermuda.

“I also had a book in mind, and still do, but time and financial restraints are, for now, keeping this on the back-burner.”

The show, ‘Bermuda 365 + 1 Leap Year of Life on the Rock’, opens in the Edinburgh Gallery tonight, although showing at the gallery has had its constraints.

“It has not been easy fitting them into the narrow space, but I think I will make it,” said The Bermuda High School For Girls Head of Languages.

“I have placed each photograph within a template onto which I have added the date and exact time that the image was taken, which I felt was an important part of the display process.”

Mr. Lewis added: “There was no theme to this project, I would have liked to, but it would have put too large a constraint on me.

“Merely securing an image every day was taxing enough, especially if the working day was long, the rain had come in and the light had gone.

“I generally kept my eyes peeled wherever I went. If I saw something of interest, but perhaps was not in a position to stop and capture it, I would habitually make a mental note and return another day.

“I actually had a little book in which I had noted places and one-off events that I should not miss.”

So was he ever in danger of shooting the same thing twice?

“Yes, of course, especially living and working somewhere so small.

“In fact, I probably did, but no photo is ever the same and this was something that I realised as the months ticked by; that even if I had taken a ‘commute’ photo on a ferry already (one that I would call a ‘cop-out shot’), I could and would always manage to find something original.

“I might end up with 50 images of each day, and would often sift through all my previous shots and ensure no repetition. The final selection process for the chosen 366 was a real headache.”

On subject matter he said: “People and places, architecture, events, weather...

“I think I have captured the Island in its entirety, from east to west (although certainly with an unavoidable bias to the west, where I live) and that it paints a genuine picture of the Island at work and play.”

Mr Lewis studied Management Studies and Spanish at Leeds University, in the UK, and worked at CedarBridge Academy from 1998 to 2000.

He then returned to the UK for the impending arrival of his and wife Fiona’s first son. The family returned to Bermuda in 2003 with his wife and their two sons, Cameron and Ben, to work at BHS.

He is also a keen road-runner and is currently in training for his sixth Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby.

At BHS, he teaches Spanish to all ages and levels. He is also involved with the senior football team, dramatic performances and often takes photographs for official and unofficial school events.

When asked how he got into photography, he said: “My interest was truly sparked when I first came to Bermuda. This place is inspiring, its light, its colours, its beauty and variation.

“I enrolled on a Community Education photography course run by Lloyd Webbe in 1999 and my love for photography took off.

“When back in the UK, I completed a two year HNC in Photography and Digital Imaging. Since returning to Bermuda, I have maintained my interest when time has allowed and have had some success in local competitions.

“I have had work published and won chapter awards on both Moods of Bermuda books; I had two images chosen for the Kaleidoscope Art Foundation’s 2008 ‘A Day in the Life’ contest, and recently won both the BSoA photojournalism contest along with the jurors’ and people’s choice awards.

“I also enjoy candid portraiture and often take photo shoots of friends and family to build up a portfolio.”

Lastly, Mr. Lewis said: “I’d like to say thanks to Fiona for her continuing support and advice, to Subha for her help cutting, fixing and hanging the show, and to Loris Toppan of Colourlab who has done such an excellent and efficient job with all the printing.”