January 20, 2014

2014 Photography Goals


It is always exciting to turn over a calendar and start with a fresh slate and a new box of chalk. I have taken a critical eye of where I stand with my photography, and inventoried my skill set. I’ve got firm footing in several areas, but I am lacking in others. With pressing health issues no longer an overriding priority in our lives, I can take some time now to embark in a couple of new directions.



Charleston, South Carolina

Should I be content? Perhaps. But it is not my nature. I want to learn and have fun with this medium. I want to get out, experience life, and see new things. And I want to best capture what I see, at least in my mind’s eye, with digital photography. 

Start with the end in mind.
~ Stephen Covey ~

I want to practice some more with HDR (high dynamic range) photography. So far, I’ve only dipped my toes in the waters. I also would like to try some nighttime and long-exposure photography. Panoramas really interest me, so I’d like to do more of them when faced with wide landscape vistas. I’ve had a new company approach me to try out some of their editing software, so I need to give them a test run. Also, Mr. Jim bought me a Wacom tablet for Christmas so that I can use during my digital darkroom efforts, particularly for brushwork. And let me tell you, there is nothing like a new electronic gadget to bring a sense of stupidity and helplessness to your day!

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered,
you will never grow.
~ C. R. Lawton ~

I have, once again, signed up for lynda.com training on a monthly basis (see link on sidebar). I also have an abundance of photography training courses at my disposal through an annual membership with KelbyOne. This is the time of year that I really hunker down and watch training videos. And I have to practice what I learn, which requires hands-on time with camera equipment and using my computer in digital darkroom techniques.

Change is the end result of all true learning.
~ Leo Buscaglia ~

There are only so many hours in the day. Something has to give. So I will slow down the frequency of my blog posts for the next couple of months. I will also be reducing the amount of blog visiting and commenting. Please notice that I didn’t say that I would stop altogether! This is not a blogging break. It’s just a little slowdown so that I can spend more time learning my craft.

You can’t wait for inspiration.
You have to go after it with a club.
~ Jack London ~

The calendar has changed for you too, so where do you plan to go with your photography this year? Are you content with what you know and the quality of your images? If yes, then let me give you a high five! If you are not content, what do you want to learn, and how do you intend to go about getting it done in 2014?

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important
as what you become by achieving your goals.
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

12 comments:

  1. i am not content at all, but have also not made the commitment to find a photography class and drive to dallas to attend. i am a beginner and need an instructor.

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  2. I have no doubt you will achieve all your goals. Your photography just keeps getting better and better all the time

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  3. I am not content. I have determined to learn "the basics" this year. I mean the real basics...like venturing out from the automatic setting and getting some control over the shots I am taking.

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  4. You go girl! Slowing back on the blogging is a good idea for getting things done. I want to practice more on food photography and of course outside of the auto settings.
    Judith

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  5. I don't think your photographs can be any better, but if you say so! :)

    xoxo

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  6. Best of luck (and persistence) to you in chasing your goals this year. I am hoping to grow my photography this year, but don't have specific areas in mind. I just want to have fun and end up with good pictures of the people and places I love best.

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  7. Now that my home commitments have changed I am hoping to dig out my camera again this year and get back to photography. I enjoyed it so much and now I may have the time.

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  8. No, I'm not content. I'll continue to read and practice as I have time. Loved the quotes you included. I'm hoping to improve other areas as well, and photography is not first on the list, much as I enjoy it.
    Best to you as you learn.

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  9. I am so glad you have time again for something you really enjoy. I find myself not at all interested in photography, I work to get presentable pictures....I often think it is odd that I have no desire to really understand photography.....Of course my interests are always changing....We'll see. I love looking at photography though, so it will be fun to follow your journey!

    CArol

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  10. We are never too old to keep on learning.. Congrats on feeding your passion --and continuing to get better and better. I love Photography--but I have SEVERAL passions (one of which is Genealogy that takes up TIME)... Guess I just need more hours in the day.

    Two inches of snow here --and SO pretty. BUT--going down to about 5 degrees tonight... Gads.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. I can't wait to see where you go from here!

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  12. I've had fun shooting fireworks with long exposure. I really want to learn more about manual photography, yet time for classes seems to be lacking with my busy schedule.

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!