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

August — A Year in Photographs — Lego Adventures

A favorite toy of mine as a child was Lego. Countless hours of construction, play, destruction, and reconstruction took me on adventures to the past, future, mythological, and science fiction. I’d wager part of my love of filmmaking steps from creating worlds and journeys with my Legos.

Earlier this year, March specifically, I spent a month of #AYearinPhotographs doing some of my favorite work in macro photography and was sad when the month was over. I wanted to continue doing more macro photography but it is a rule of #AYearinPhotographs that I can not repeat a theme in a single year. But I couldn’t help but be drawn back to doing some macro work—enter, Lego.

Lego Adventures evolved from both my childhood love of miniature fun and joined my love of macro photography. Most of these were shot using a Laowa 15mm ƒ4 Macro lens—a bizarre but amazingly fun lens with which to photograph. You can focus so closely that your subject is just about touching the front element. On the other hand, a more cinematic look sometimes is best and such a Fujinon 80mm ƒ2.8 Macro lens joined the fun.

From wizards to astronauts, location shoots and home-built sets, August is a tribute to one of the best toys ever invented.