My 2016 photography started off a bit ominously: a blizzard hit NYC so my wife and I headed out into the streets. I had a blast, met some other photographers, and got the new year off to a great start despite the weather.
Next up was my around-the-world trip from NYC to Lisbon (colour, black&white) to Tokyo, and back to NYC. I spoke at conferences in Lisbon and Tokyo on iOS development, and made sure to make time for photography. The trip was two weeks long, so I made sure to bring an adequate and varied supply of film.
Who says a six-hour layover in Dubai has to be boring?
Tokyo was amazing (colour, black&white) – though I didn't have enough time to see everything I wanted to, I still had a great time with friends. I had been looking forward to visiting some camera shops, and indeed I ended up buying a Rollei 35 compact film camera.
Back in New York, I struggled to shoot. Things just weren't inspiring, and I was under a lot of stress at work.
A quick trip to Warsaw for a conference, and the first trip I've done on film alone – black and white only!
The fair weather of Summer helped me get over my photo rut back home, as did getting out to see Manhattanhenge with some friends. I started focusing less on a scene and more on leading lines.
Here's where I noticed I was playing with... non-conventional photos. Some had no discernible subject, or were intentionally obscured. I like the style, and I plan to do more experimenting next year.
Artsy's offsite is always a fun time to bring a camera – the change of pace from the city helps shake things up.
Ashley and I visited the Brooklyn Navy Shipyard with a friend. A lot of my photos didn't come out as planned, but I still had a great time.
I visited Seattle for the first time in August to attend a conference. I had a few days of sunny weather to traipse around the city and visit some cool cafes and markets. Seattle felt like a mix between Toronto and Vancouver; it's the most I've felt at home in a foreign city.
I hadn't realized how homesick I was until I flew back home for my sister's wedding. I miss my family a lot, and I'm looking forward to seeing them again early in the new year.
Back in NYC, I started focusing on some different themes: looking for striking shadows, strong lines, and umbrellas. I dunno what it is about umbrellas, but they just look so cool! Look forward to an umbrella photo post before too long.
It was about this point that I bought a large format camera, a beast of a camera that shoots 4x5 inch negatives. It's not the easiest to shoot with, but it's oddly satisfying. Looking forward to using it more once the evening sun comes back.
The fall had me step in for a friend and give a workshop in Verona. I didn't have a tonne of time for photography, and the time I did have was subject to rain, but I had my tripod and I made the best of it.
My final trip was to Crans Montana in Switzerland. I was "lucky" enough to see their first snowfall of the year in a three-day blizzard. Good thing the weather eventually let up so I could get some photos in.
Finally, back in NYC I made sure to grab some photos of the foliage before winter set in. Central Park was a great place for photos and people-watching, I definitely need to visit it more often.
2016 has been for me, like more years, a mixed bag. Lots of good things, lots of bad things. I'm starting to accept that things will never be perfect and to make the best of sub-ideal situations. Expressing myself through photography definitely helps.