These are early days in my photography journey. I am still experimenting and haven't settled on a favorite genre, subject or style. I believe that elevated photography is simply a problem-solving activity of how best to capture a subject and scene. I am a pretty determined problem solver so I can usually take a good image through trial and error and brute force. However, I will further develop my sense of what a good picture looks like and improve my photography skills so that I consistently create meaningful images.
The Truffle Pig
2024 Self Assessment and Plans for 2025
While I am still on the steep part of the learning curve, I feel that my ability to compose images improved this year. I started looking for specific characteristics that often resulted in keepers which were:
1) Interesting, well-defined subjects
2) Shooting into light, use back-lighting or side-lighting
3) Context to support, explain or complement the subject and negative space, room to breathe
4) Visual cues can complement and increase visual interest, but are not always necessary
My technical photography skills need improvement. I’m a truffle pig. I have a nose for composition but capturing the image is messy. It’s like trying to keep a 250lb pig from eating the truffle they searched long and hard to find. I don’t always think through camera settings, don’t quickly respond to changing conditions and often take way too many pictures. I started using camera settings to simplify capture, but more practice is needed.
I developed an editing workflow to prevent competition judges from picking apart my entries, creating a series of diagnostics in Photoshop that check exposure, contrast, color, luminosity, saturation, etc. After regularly seeing the changes suggested by Photoshop, I started developing a sense of what a good picture looks like and will use this understanding to enhance images' mood or meaning.
I learned how bad I am at preparing pictures for print by screwing up a travel photo book of our trip to Utah. Determined not to repeat my mistake, I created a Provence travel photo book that I am happy with. In 2025, will develop a working relationship with a photo lab and continue making prints and photo books.
In 2024, I took an important step from practicing photography in isolation to becoming more social. I started talking to strangers when taking pictures and candid portraits became a new favorite source of pictures. I joined two camera clubs and did several photo walks and online training sessions with Hunt’s Photography. In 2025, I will continue participating in Hunt’s events and facilitating the monthly peer reviews for Newburyport Arts’ Photography Interest Group. Finally, I greatly appreciate people who have kindly offered their time and expertise as mentors and hope to continue those relationships.
I study artists and other photographers to develop a sense of good taste and appreciation of good composition and presentation. The images collected in ‘2024 Favorite Pictures’ combine both meaning and composition. I remember vividly when and where each was taken, who I was with and how difficult it was to capture each image. This collection will act as a reminder of what I enjoy and will hopefully motivate me to pick up my camera in 2025.
I need to shoot more thoughtfully, more often. I took nearly 12,000 pictures in 2024, but nearly half of the pictures were take during three or four important events. I need to get out more often and go to places where compositions require thought and observation. In 2025, I will try to get out every week, create projects monthly and go to at least 4 extraordinary locations.