May — A Year in Photographs — People

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Gaze — Day 129

Of all the months I’ve been shooting, May has been the most challenging. Photographing people is difficult—especially in the street photography sense. This month has also been the most growth for me. And probably also the most fun because of that growth. I’ve become much more comfortable with feeling uncomfortable photographing strangers and am excited to continue doing so.

“Allow yourself to feel comfortable with your discomfort.”

— Adrian’s Life Rule, Rule 7

While next month I’ll have a new theme, I and going to continue this theme of People onward as a sub-project of #AYearinPhotographs.

April — A Year in Photographs — Architecture

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The Rookery Building — Day 103

Architecture bring together two of my favorite subjects: geometry and design. Of all of human kinds achievements, without architecture, we would still be living in caves, huddled around fires, and at the mercy of nature. Not only have we found ways to survive in every climate of the world through out creations of building but brought one of humanity most noble qualities, art and design to what otherwise would simply be function.

“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”

— Frank Gehry

Chicago is one of the architectural capitals of the world and I could not have been more excited living here this month for this theme but I was also fortunate to spend a week in Mexico City which has an incredible list of buildings, both ancient and modern, worthy of being captured in photographs.

With only thirty days in April, it was a challenge to decide which photograph each day to feature — there are so many that have not been shared. In Chicago alone, I’ve only scratched the surface of architectural beauty, not to mention Mexico City. I could photograph either city all year long and never find all the treasure.

No doubt I will continue photographing architecture throughout the year but enjoy this months series of external, internal, and architectural detail photographs.

If you find yourself in Chicago, visit my curated Chicago architecture guide in Apple Maps featuring the locations of all Chicago buildings photographed in this series and many forgotten or hidden gems not commonly showcased.

Shot on FujiFilm X-T5

March — A Year in Photographs — Macro

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Hibiscus Stigma — Day 60

Macro photography is some of the most fun you’ll have with your camera and lens. Seeing the things of the world through the perspective of a macro lens reveals details and an adventure one can’t see with the human eye alone.

While many photographers like shooting with natural light, being able to control and create the conditions of excellent lighting nearly always enhance the photographic subject. In macro photography, it is virtually a law of nature that you’ll need lighting. Shooting at an ƒ16 or ƒ22 any creature that moves or a flower in the breeze will almost certainly give you a blurry or muddy photo.

March is a long month and lighting is an exercise I love to enjoy. Macro photography is also something one can do at home, in the wild, or in one’s own backyard. While I move onto April and into another favorite subject, architecture, I sadly leave behind a month of macro photography.

Shot on FujiFilm X-T5 with the Fujinon 80mm ƒ2.8 Macro lens.