It's the last day of the year and I've successfully taken a full year of images.  Some days it's been only one photo; most days it's been a number of photos.  As I look over the kinds of shots and the various experiences that I've had, I had a couple of musings....

• I tend to prefer nature type photos.  My most memorable experiences are associated with being outdoors, hiking, and enjoying the beauty that surrounds me
• My two photo workshops this year filled me with inspiration and prompted me to take several types of shots that are different
• I really, really like my Canon 5DM3.  It feels like a good friend and it's been with me on so many different trips and experiences.  I appreciate the quality of the images that I get with this particular camera.
• While I really like my Canon 5DM3, it really doesn't make a difference about the camera.  Some of my more intriguing shots were taken with my P&S cameras.  It's all about capturing the moment and having something with you at all times to capture those moments.
• More so than before, I am taking fewer and fewer photos of people.  I've had a couple of experiences where I've been taking photos and people assume that I am taking photos of them and they are not pleased.  Now, I ask permission and enjoy taking special events of people that I know.....but I usually don't post those pictures to this blog or to my Photo-A-Day collection

What does this suggest for next year:

• First of all, I am committed to another year of Photo-A-Day.  I've really enjoyed the past two years and it does stretch me photographically and it gives me something tangible that I can look over, show friends, and feel great about the experience of capturing images for a year.
• Secondly, I want to explore some areas that I have ignored or passed over in the past year:  especially self-portraits and photos of others.  Another two areas are night photography and long exposures
• Thirdly, I am going to write a book about my 2013 experiences with Photo-A-Day.  I will select between 40 to 50 photos and share my stories about their origins and any insights that resulted from taking the images.

And, during the month of January I plan to take some sort of self-portrait.  One big area that is lacking is using the tripod and taking photos of me.  So, January, here I come.......

PAD Oct 10 ME Finally, at the Oregon GardensOne of my favorite photos from 2013. I set up the tripod and took this shot after spending a wonderful day at the Oregon Gardens.

Have a great New Years....