2010 in Retrospect

I feel kind of funny  writing this post. I’m feeling that this end-of-the-year, beginning-of-the-next band wagon is awfully crowded.  But it’s something I want to do, if for no other reason than to reflect on the year just passed and learn what I can apply to the new one just started.

As I’ve worked on my website over the past year and compared the work I’m doing these days to the works from four and five years ago I see definite signs of growth.  I’ve had many powerful influences over the years who I’ll not attempt to list here, except for my brother Roger.  One doesn’t learn photography in a vacuum.  While each of us is striving to find our own voice there is a long period of gestation where we are best served when we learn from and let ourselves be influenced by other photographers whom we respect and admire.  I feel that after five years there have been a few brief flashes of individuality where my personal style is just beginning to express itself.

Workshops

I’ve been involved in teaching in one way or another ever since my college days when I was a chemistry lab assistant at Texas Lutheran College (now University).  I’ve always felt that teaching was in my bones.  So it’s natural that I would conduct photography workshops.  Teaching is about sharing what you’ve learned, not keeping it to yourself.  And photography workshops provide an opportunity to give back the things I have picked up along the way.

I’ve had the very good fortune to be able to work with Jack Graham over the past two years, another photographer who is passionate about sharing what he’s learned.  His fifteen years of leading workshops has been a shining example for me of how they ought to be run.  With Jack as a model and my own teaching experience and training I have developed a unique approach to working with the fine photographers who attend my workshops.  Jack and I will no longer be doing workshops together in 2011; it’s time for me to leave the nest and fly on my own.  But he and I will continue to get together in free moments to do what we enjoy the most, shooting together.

Death Valley

The 2010 Death Valley workshop saw a second year of flooded playas.  When I first saw the shallow lakes in 2009 I couldn’t believe my eyes.  They were six inched deep and spread out over literally miles of salt pans.  I thought 2009 was a once in a lifetime experience.  Then it happened again in 2010 and with the rains we’re having this winter it just may happen once more. 

Eastern Sierra

The Eastern Sierra workshop of 2010 was a very special group of people.  The delight of the group was 12 year old Meghan who not only kept up with our grueling schedule but relished in the photography and captured some beautiful photographs.  The photography was great and the bonds of friendship that formed were particularly strong.

Utah Super Workshop

The Utah super workshop consisted of two back to back workshops – 3 1/2 days in Zion followed by 3 1/2 days in Bryce.  This was probably the most fun group I have ever had the privilege to lead.  If we went a half hour without someone in the group making a wise crack, well, the photography must have been pretty intense.  More strong bonds of friendship grew from those seven laugher-filled days.

Napa Workshop

We wrapped up the year in Napa Valley and the Central California Coast.  As with most workshops we had a diverse group of very talented photographers from all across the country who made the most of the many beautiful opportunities we had, photographing the vineyards of Napa Valley and the rugged California Coast both north and south of San Francisco.

Joshua Tree Gathering

Every year I like to really give back to the local photography community by hosting the Joshua Tree Gathering.  It’s a weekend of photography, camping and friendship in Joshua Tree National Park.  One of the highlights is the pot luck dinner Saturday night (besides the obvious – the photography).

Minnesota

My brother Roger and I try to get together once a year for a weekend of photography.  It had been five years since I was back with him in Minnesota so that was where we planned the 2010 shoot.  We were joined by his good friend Travis Novitsky up in Grand Portage on the North Shore of Lake Superior.  I don’t know that I’ve ever felt as connected with Mother Earth as I was up there.  It was really a remarkable feeling.

What Lies Ahead?

I’ll be returning to most of the same workshop locations of 2010.  These locations are so incredible that returning year after year never gets old or stagnant.  There’s always something new to discover.

I’m very excited about a new workshop I’ll be adding.  I was asked by some teacher friends to hold a workshop in mid-summer.  I gave some thought to locations that would be appropriate for a July or August workshop and came up with that amazing stretch of California Cost along Highway 1 – Big Sur,  That’s shaping up to be a fantastic experience.

As for my own personal growth I continue to study with the photographers that I admire. This spring I’ll be taking a workshop in the Eastern Sierra out of the Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop (Galen and Barbara Rowell’s gallery).  The workshop leader is none other than David Muench.  I’m very excited.  David is a master of capturing the essence of a place and I’m hoping to absorb some of that.

Photography can be a personal journey of discovery and in 2011 I’m asking the question, “What am I really about?”  I’ll be striving to not only understand the answer but searching for ways to express it in my photography. 

May 2011 be a year of glorious light for you.

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