Wow, what a trip this has been.
Right now, if you were sitting with me, you would see in my eyes and hear in my voice an excited happiness and at the same time, a deep sadness. As I consider this year and the journey I began last January 1, I would not have imagined what this year would mean to me. It has been a year of personal pride. I have shot thousands of photos, at least one each day, making these 365 days a this long and often difficult trip. I have endured personal family angst and deep sadness, losing a dear sister-in-law to a horrible disease, pancreatic cancer, and quite suddenly my father in law.
But I have also witnessed great happiness with the news that my daughter would be getting married, at her shower and then at Melisse and Tif's wedding. I have loved and played with my terrific wife, Pat, who suffered lovingly with me during this trip. I have had love, happiness and joy with my wonderful children and their significant others and with terrific friends. This year, with my camera in tow, I reunited with old friends at a 50th high school reunion. I have also made new friends through my photography.
And what did this year do for my photography? I'm not certain what you might think, but I think my photographic eye has changed. I see more now, even without my camera. I have become more mindful of the human drama that occurs around me. Through my camera I met people all over the world who allowed me to capture them forever. I have met children alone and with and parents; couples, single adults, and homeless people. And I have captured death.
Through this adventure, I have become much more aware of the interplay of man and nature. I have shot sunrises, sunsets, the moon, rivers, lakes, oceans. I have shot buildings showing them within the context of nature and nature within the context of man's buildings. I have seen and enjoyed a variety of religious centers: Hindu and Buddhist temples, churches, synagogues.
And I have done all this with my three basic cameras: my Nikon D200, my Panasonic Lumix SMX-ZS6, and the camera of the year, my iPhone4. And given that latter camera's sudden emergence on the real photo scene, I decided to make my last post this self-portrait taken a few minutes ago with my iPhone 4.
Thank you, if you have followed this journey with me. I have loved and appreciated each of the many comments and statements of support I have received. I was often surprised by how many of you were actually following me on this passage.
I am currently considering a project for the coming year. It will certainly not be something that occurs with such regularity. I will give each of you the opportunity to join in with me on it, when I decide.
If there is a photo that you particularly liked from this year, please let me know. I will send a print of it to you as my thanks for your joining me on this trek.
All the best for the coming year, 2012, to each of you. May you find happiness and be free from suffering. May you be joyful and free from the burdens of age and sickness. Most of all may you find peace and share it with others.
Mark
Right now, if you were sitting with me, you would see in my eyes and hear in my voice an excited happiness and at the same time, a deep sadness. As I consider this year and the journey I began last January 1, I would not have imagined what this year would mean to me. It has been a year of personal pride. I have shot thousands of photos, at least one each day, making these 365 days a this long and often difficult trip. I have endured personal family angst and deep sadness, losing a dear sister-in-law to a horrible disease, pancreatic cancer, and quite suddenly my father in law.
But I have also witnessed great happiness with the news that my daughter would be getting married, at her shower and then at Melisse and Tif's wedding. I have loved and played with my terrific wife, Pat, who suffered lovingly with me during this trip. I have had love, happiness and joy with my wonderful children and their significant others and with terrific friends. This year, with my camera in tow, I reunited with old friends at a 50th high school reunion. I have also made new friends through my photography.
And what did this year do for my photography? I'm not certain what you might think, but I think my photographic eye has changed. I see more now, even without my camera. I have become more mindful of the human drama that occurs around me. Through my camera I met people all over the world who allowed me to capture them forever. I have met children alone and with and parents; couples, single adults, and homeless people. And I have captured death.
Through this adventure, I have become much more aware of the interplay of man and nature. I have shot sunrises, sunsets, the moon, rivers, lakes, oceans. I have shot buildings showing them within the context of nature and nature within the context of man's buildings. I have seen and enjoyed a variety of religious centers: Hindu and Buddhist temples, churches, synagogues.
And I have done all this with my three basic cameras: my Nikon D200, my Panasonic Lumix SMX-ZS6, and the camera of the year, my iPhone4. And given that latter camera's sudden emergence on the real photo scene, I decided to make my last post this self-portrait taken a few minutes ago with my iPhone 4.
Thank you, if you have followed this journey with me. I have loved and appreciated each of the many comments and statements of support I have received. I was often surprised by how many of you were actually following me on this passage.
I am currently considering a project for the coming year. It will certainly not be something that occurs with such regularity. I will give each of you the opportunity to join in with me on it, when I decide.
If there is a photo that you particularly liked from this year, please let me know. I will send a print of it to you as my thanks for your joining me on this trek.
All the best for the coming year, 2012, to each of you. May you find happiness and be free from suffering. May you be joyful and free from the burdens of age and sickness. Most of all may you find peace and share it with others.
Mark
f2.4 | 1/30s | ISO 800 (no flash) | iPhone 4
