As the year — and the decade — comes to a close, I reflect on how things have changed over the past five years. I shed the old skin, entered a new profession, and found a new creative outlet. I try not to talk as much about my professional progress. As writing about technology became less of a professional focus, it is hardly surprising that I began spending more of my creative energies on photography.
Since the accidental start of my journey five years ago (thanks to Vincent Laforet), I have been taking small steps toward answering the why of my photography.
Earlier this year, I got a chance to spend time with visual artist extraordinaire Susan Burnstine, and the conversation proved to be transformational. Susan builds her cameras and her lenses, as they help her recreate her dreams. As she told me her story, I felt clarity and a release from conventional thinking about my photography.
When I look back at 2019, and I realize I became increasingly comfortable with the idea that my work is less about revealing and more about the mystery. It is about imagination — mine and yours. It is about an emotional state, not technical perfection.
Visually, it was an excellent year for me. I got to visit Leica headquarters and spend time with the creators of the beautiful lenses and cameras. I got to play around with two new products, the Leica SL 2 and the Leica SL Summicron 50mm lens. I was able to use those objets d’art to create images, which Leica shared with their community and on their website. I had the opportunity to visit many places: Japan, Porto, France, United Kingdom, and India. But it was the beautiful state of Utah that stole my heart.
Of course, the northern coast of California remains a favorite playground, mostly because it offers me a chance to wander and rediscover my inner self. This is evident in my visual retrospective of 2019. I have curated a list of photos that I feel are representative of my artistic self. Take a look at these images, and come along into my dreamscapes, .
Happy holidays everyone.
PS: In the past, many of you have asked me if you could buy prints of my photos. I have, thus far, resisted doing making them available, mostly because I don’t want photography to carry the burden of work. Nevertheless, it is very gratifying and humbling to be asked. Starting today, you can get the prints of these photos in single size 12×12 (if square format photo) or 12×16 (otherwise.) These artworks are printed on Moab Entrada Bright Rag and are fulfilled via SmugMug.
December 23, 2019, San Francisco