I just completed the first month of my 2014 photography project, and I have to say, it is NOT easy to take pictures every single day. You will see that I missed quite a few days this month. However, I don't feel that bad considering I still took around 1000 pictures in January with my Canon.  I also missed a few days when I was sick with the flu. This is only the first month, and I need to remember that integrating photography into my schedule at such an extreme level is not supposed to be easy; it's a complete lifestyle change. 

However, I do want to try to get better about consistently being more creative regarding the subject of my pictures. You will see I got pretty lazy on some days, and as a result there are a LOT of pictures of my cats. I think my sub-goal for February is to take pictures with more variety.  So for next month I am enforcing a rule where I can only take pictures of items within my home once a week.

There are a few pictures I am especially proud of from January:
01/02/14 - This was my first action shot with this lens. I caught Lucy mid yawn as she is rubbing her head up against the wall. Plus it evokes an emotion in me every time I look at it --- pure JOY!
01/06/14 - This was one of those days that I realized late in the evening that I still hadn't taken any pictures. I looked around my house and wasn't feeling inspired... until I looked up and saw the old Christmas lights. I had to stand on my counter to get the picture!
01/11/14 - This painted cave was completely in the dark because the entrance was blocked off by a gate. I sneaked just the lens through one of the openings, and used all the Manual settings I could think of to increase the light in the picture. I didn't have to adjust the picture in post at all!

Anyway, without further ado, here are January's photos...

Last year was all about getting my shit together. Saving money, getting my career on track, getting healthy and fit, etc.  I feel like I succeeded in that respect, and then some.  Last year also brought many positive changes in my life that went above and beyond the resolutions that I set for myself. 

I found myself in a very healthy and loving relationship, which has driven me to find even more balance and mental health in other aspects of my life. I also found myself with a new climbing partner who has become a very good friend and another steady/reliable/healthy force in my life.  I didn't have any specific plans to leave my job at Bernstein, but I found myself dropping everything and going to work for a start-up firm with my ex-boss (now, once again, my current boss).  The largest takeaway from 2013 was that action and self-evaluation are the only things that will give you the life you want. It's not just going to happen to you. You have to proactively work for happiness. 

That being said, I want 2014 to be a little different. I plan on continuing my 2013 goals; now that they have become part of my routine and lifestyle I imagine it will be relatively easy. There is one fundamental aspect of my life that is missing, where I am falling short and left feeling incomplete. I have decided to dedicate 2014, the year I meet my 30s, to be all about creativity.  Last year I found my footing, and now that I feel like I am on solid ground I can dedicate my energy to nourishing the right side of my brain (even if that's just a myth you know what I mean).

I have a couple of projects in mind to accomplish this goal.  The first project is to start painting more. So this past weekend I purchased paints, brushes, canvas, and a palette to get the ball rolling. I even have my first project in mind: my take on the Yin Yang fish (according to Wikipedia they are also known as dead-and-alive fish).  The image on the left gives you an idea of what I am aiming for. Hopefully I will have something to show you guys in a couple weeks.

The biggest challenge for me when it comes to my relationship with art is learning PATIENCE. I rush everything. I just want to see my final product, the results of my labor, immediately.  While I think this approach can give me an artistic advantage because I'm not "thinking too much" about my art, more often than not it creates sloppy results.

The second project, which I've already jumped headfirst into, is writing a novel. I don't want to get into too many details, but I will say it could be categorized as Biblical/Historical Fiction.  Writing a novel has been on my bucket list for years and I feel really optimistic about tackling this venture this year.  Another project that will be a constant test of my patience.

Last, but definitely not least because I will be committed to this every single day for all of 2014, is my third project. Over the holidays I was gifted a 50mm f/1.8 lens for my Canon Rebel T2i camera.  It was initially recommended to me by a photography teacher as the most purchased lens on the market right now, and I have to admit, it has definitely lived up to the hype. It has no zoom capabilities, which really forces me to move around to get the shot I want. Forced creativity!

I will be using this lens every single day of 2014.  At the end of each month I will post one photo from each day, which will catalog my daily life and will also illustrate the path I take as an amateur photographer.


Well, that's it for now! Wish me luck. :) 

This beautiful picture was taken in Kalymnos, Greece.  I dare you to look at this picture and not want to climb here.  A quick Google images search proves that this photo is just a small taste of the wonder of Kalymnos.

     

Finally Climbing.com posted a highlights video from the Psicoblock competition that took place in Salt Lake City as part of the Outdoor Retailer summer show.  Enjoy!