A Year in Photographs 2023 — A Journey's End

A Year in Photographs

365 Days, 12 Themes, 1 Creative Journey

Museo Soumaya — Day 98

I started writing this entry with some grand idea that there was a lot to say, stories to tell, and great insight I learned. While I do have many stories, evolved creatively, pushed myself hard to achieve this tremendous goal, and want to share so much of my journey, I didn’t find that I could completely convey what #AYearinPhotographs has meant to me nor engage it all in just a few paragraphs.

Instead, I intend to keep this short because, perhaps, minimalism is a certain type of valor. A photograph every day for a year is an undertaking. One sets out, like every journey, with the first footstep and from there, the Universe leads one on. Simply put, it is a lot of work. Sometimes hours spent crafting one photo—it is easy, and it is hard. One is excited to do it and one will be tired.

Then it is all over and there is pride, sadness, love, and even bewilderment. And it is absolutely something that I recommend everyone should do—whether it be photography, writing, music, art, cooking, fitness, or whatever your passion may be. Do it. Journal it. Blog it. Share it.

It is a wave that washes over you and you’ll either ride it great distances or it will stay your feet, and you will be left behind. It is a commitment that if you hesitate for merely a day, you can never draw level. But when you reach the end of every day, every week, month, and the year, you have an accomplishment that only those who have traveled this path can truly appreciate.

Over 11,000 photos, 365 days, 12 themes, thousands of kilometers, two continents, four countries, and one singularly fantastic camera later, #AYearinPhotographs comes to close.

Here’s to the journey’s beginning, the path, the light, the shadow, and to the journey’s end.

Until next time.

A Year in Photographs 2023

“Go out and shoot!”

— Adrian’s Life Rule #56

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Shot on FujiFilm X-T5

February — A Year in Photographs — Minimalism

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Minimalism is one of my favorite photographic styles, philosophies, design methodologies, lifestyle, and anyone who knows me would agree that I seek it as one seeks water and food.

Perhaps it is misunderstood, however, that minimalism is boring, stagnant, clinical, or bland. Far from it. Minimalism is the approach to perfection.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

— Antoine de Saint-Exupér

I chose this theme for February because I journeyed to Joshua Tree early in the month and thinking it would be easy to find minimalism in the desert landscapes but found I was wrong. It was a significant challenge — and in fact, minimalism is always a challenge. Having nothing left to take away sounds like very small and very simple task but the irony is achieving minimalism is quite complex.

A Year in Photographs — Series 2

In 2017, I embarked on an adventure of photography—a photograph every day for 365 days. A Year in Photographs (2017) became suddenly apparent to me it was years ago and I had no such great creative project of my own since.

Starting tomorrow, January 1st, 2023, I start a new journey of photography starting in one of the most photogenic places there is, Lucca, Italia. Join me on my journey with my camera wherever it may take me.

A Year in Photographs 2023