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Looking back at 08
By Chris | December 28, 2008
I know it’s quite cliche to do a “look back” at the year that has just pasted. It’s so predictable, the minute after Christmas every media outlet does a special “look back”. Well, guess what? I am going to “keep up with the Jones” and do the same thing! So there!
2008 has been an exciting year for me. At about this time last year, I pledged to take my photography more seriously by more learning through books, blogs, youtube, and old fashioned practice.I must admit that it has paid off. I have seen my images improve over the last year both technically and creatively. Luckily, I had a good year financially to allow the purchase of more gear and an extended vacation.
Of course, there is always room for improvement as I am no where near the calibre of Chase Jarvis or Steve McCurry. Yet, I feel my images have improved a degree. Partly, it was the gear and partly for starting to develop my own ‘vision’. I really get a kick out an image that not just looks cool but tells a story that can put a smile on the viewers face. If I can get a smile, chuckle, or even a tear from the viewer, I know that the image did it’s job. I find satisfaction in that. That is the draw to photography for me.
So what is my favourite image from 2008? Well, I didn’t shoot a million shots this year like some pro photogs do but I have shot much more than I have in the past. Of course, the Thailand trip was like being a child in a candy shop. There I was with eyes of golf balls with camera in hand. I wasn’t just taking snapshots, I BECAME a photographer for four weeks. It was my goal to document our journey in an artsy photojournal way. I think I captured a few interesting shots. The shots below are my favourites of 2008.
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What’s my goals for 2009?
- I will learn more about off-camera flash, strobe, speedlight, or whatever you want to call it. I have been looking at many images created with off-camera flash. The effects are dramatic and the gear is light.
- Take more portraits of family and friends. I want to put my off-camera flash and reflector to work. I hear they are even willing to pay me!
- Subscriptions. There is one magazine that I love. I am wasting too much money paying retail price off the magazine rack. Photolife is a Canadian magazine that isn’t loaded up with too much advertising and the articles are indepth and informative. I am also considering a subscription to NAPP, the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, as well. I think it’s a little pricey but they offer tons of affiliated discounts and training.
- Portfolio. I should have enough decent images to put together a Flash based portfolio.
- Give this blog a new look to match the new portfolio. The new look also needs to be more browser friendly.
- On the non-photography front. In the financially challenging year ahead, I will upgrade my pipefitting and plumbing skills to offer a wider skill set to employers. I will be taking the challenge test for the Red Seal Steam Fitter ticket. Perhaps, a gas service course to brush up on my furnace servicing skills will be in the works too. I got to keep working to fund this very expensive hobby called, “photography”.
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