With the imminent arrival of each new year, we have thoughts of the year ahead and what we would like to do.
In terms of photography, I’d be very happy with a year of the same as 2022.
What is more likely with less restrictions related to Covid, is travel to another country may well be feasible this year.
However, in order to advance my photography further, I ought to set out some goals for 2023.
Here are some thoughts:
1. Improve my composition skills
I’ve mentioned before that I think composition is a weak area for me.
I need to take more time on location to think more about a composition.
I’ve bought the book The Photographer’s Eye by Michael Freeman in order to have a good reference.
I also already have some video tutorials I previously bought by Gavin Hardcastle, but I’ve done my usual thing of buying the tutorial videos in a fit of enthusiasm but not watching them all.
I’d like to see an improvement in my composition, although other than club competitions, I am unsure how I can benchmark it.
2. Improve and increase my wildlife photography,
When I’ve tried and got some half decent wildlife shots, I’ve really enjoyed it.
Some specific wildlife I’d like to get good shots of are below:
- Bittern and kingfisher
- Squirrel
- Gannets
- Hare
- Deer
- BIF (Birds In Flight)
Although it’s never about gear only, I will be improving my gear in 2023 in order to advance the capabilities of my wildlife photography.
I’ve already traded in my D500 DSLR and “Bigma” (Sigma 150-600) lens and have invested in a Nikon Z telephoto lens.
I am awaiting what Nikon has to offer in the first part of 2023 to see what will be my likely target, either an upgraded camera, or a wildlife specific mirrorless camera.
I believe the improvements in auto focus and faster frames per second shooting capabilities plus better quality “glass” (lenses) should yield higher quality captures.
Of course, my skills need to improve as well, and only time and practice will determine success level.
Ideally, I’d like to stick with Nikon but do not completely rule out adding a different brand of camera gear to my kit list.
3. Consider a workshop with a Pro Photographer
I’d like to attend a workshop with a pro photographer to nudge my learning along another step.
Going out on location with a professional always brings more learning and plenty to think about in order to improve.
Let’s see what emerges during the year.
4. Street photography
The club’s urban life theme got me into the joys of street photography, and I’d love to do some more.
Now I have the Fuji compact camera, this opens the door to that very aim.
Perhaps a trip to London or another big city will bring some better opportunities for some epic shots.
If there’s a trip to another country, I am sure that will motivate me to take more images, and hopefully with a different city and culture.
5. Expand my gallery and online shop presence
I need to get a lot more images on my website gallery, especially as I’ve reopened print sales.
Adding new images is something I’m very slow at doing. Mainly since each image that is published on Instagram and VERO is an edit for those platforms, not one done with printing in mind on a calibrated screen. For that I need daylight and we’re in the wrong time of year for bright daylight conditions.
Of course, I could calibrate my screen for a darker room but sitting indoors editing is taking time away from getting out and shooting images.
I need to get at least one or two products on my Etsy shop – I’ve registered and have chosen the shop option but it’s not public yet, I haven’t got anything on there, and I’ve not yet delved in to learn more about how I do it all.
When photography is a hobby, you’ve only got limited time to put in to these things.
I would like to produce a calendar but this needs careful selection of images and finding the right supplier and price point.
I briefly looked into this a couple of years back, and the calendars seemed pricey to me. Also, since I’m more likely to give away or sell a small volume, it feels more of an effort to sort it all out than I’m willing to put in right now.
Usually what happens is I start to see pro photographers on YouTube advertise their calendars around the Autumn/early Winter time and that’s when I should prep for it, maybe even in the summer time.
6. More goals which may be parked for now
a) Learn Photoshop
I’d like to delve in Photoshop a little more but in reality I don’t have the time. Also, while my editing is at a reasonable level of competency, it’s not essential.
I’ve become reasonably competent using Adobe Lightroom and the new masking and cloning/removal tools are making this less of an essential.
There seems to be folks who swear by Photoshop as the only software tool to produce quality images but I don’t view it that way. Sure, if you’re making composite image or arty abstracts with multiple elements then may be.
Certainly if I want to focus stack more (something I generally try and avoid) then you do need to venture in.
b) Do a residential photography workshop
This requires using some of my holiday which is usually maxed out anyway. Plus they can be costly so this is probably something that may have to park for a while.
Final thoughts
I think there’s plenty of goals there to aim for so off we go.
Onwards and upwards…