What's been the highlights of your year, photographically speaking?

As far as the year goes, my highlights were deciding to bite the bullet and get a dedicated film scanner and learning how to use it. That in turn led to me trying different film stock (Ilford Delta 400) and liking it a lot. I also got my Nikon gear out of mothballs and thoroughly enjoyed making and scanning some lovely negatives. The final icing on the cake has been getting a Nikon F90x, something I never thought I would like but it was so rediculously cheap that as a second camera body and an intro to auto focus it has been a real find.
 
My highlight was probably being asked to be on the judging panel for a photography competition for staff at my university. The other panel members were a former pro photographer and a fine artist. It sounds small, but it was important to my learning because I'm extremely self-critical - don't think I've ever looked at a photograph that I've taken and thought it was anything special. Being asked to judge was a message that others seem to see me as a serious photographer. This brought more balance to my self-criticism and taught me to be more proud of my efforts. After seeing a series of images I did on postmodern melancholy, two of my colleagues have also been encouraging me to try for an exhibition locally. I know my work is not there yet but that colleagues (as opposed to friends, who are often biased) see me as a photographer showed me that my work is developing. And who knows, one day it might be good enough to show.
Oh and another highlight - starting to regularly post more on RFF instead of just reading.
 
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My highlight of the year and maybe my life is going to Istanbul, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Florence and Rome. All world class cities in their own right. The highlight of Istanbul besides taking many, many pictures was hooking up with Richard (semrich) and going around to see some of the sights- the Haya Sophia and Sultanahmet. Another excellent city was Prague, so exquisitely beautiful and fabulous and if you go there be sure to visit Jan Pazdera's old time photography shop and see what is for sale- many antique soviet and German cameras everywhere you look. And don't forget to have a taste of Pilsner Urquell beer, probably one of the best in the world.
 
Two photographic highlights for me: First, refining my development and scanning techniques to get the look I'm after with TMax 100. Second, discovering MF through the recent acquisition (thanks to a member here) of a Rolleicord III.
 
External validation of my photo skills (camera and darkroom) in my town's art exhibition/festival. (Second year in a row)

Completing a Hasselblad kit.

Being satisfied with the gear that I have.
 
Graduated college with degrees in journalism and history.
Chronic unemployment.
Haven't taken a newsworthy photo since April and that was only on spec and unpaid just to update my portfolio.
Sent out over 300 resumes for open positions and got only three interviews, none of which panned out.
Sold almost all my photo gear to feed myself and keep my phone hooked up. :bang:

This year was one of the worst I've ever known.

Here's to 2013.

Phil Forrest
 
In 2012 I was able to satisfy many of my "irrational wants". I found a Rolleiflex 2.8 with a perfect Planar lens, I got an original black paint Nikon rangefinder for my W Nikkor 35/1.8 lens. I also finally got an original black paint Leica M4.

I was also able to shoot, process, and scan a record number of negatives, and managed to get some good keepers.

A memorable milestone was traveling to Paris and photographing many of the places I had always wanted to see.

I hope to do more in 2013,
 
Phil_F_NM said:
Graduated college with degrees in journalism and history.
Chronic unemployment.
Haven't taken a newsworthy photo since April and that was only on spec and unpaid just to update my portfolio.
Sent out over 300 resumes for open positions and got only three interviews, none of which panned out.
Sold almost all my photo gear to feed myself and keep my phone hooked up. :bang:

This year was one of the worst I've ever known.

Here's to 2013.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

Sounds like the success I had after getting my degree in literature. I ended up enlisting in the Army to get a handle on my student loans.

Don't let yourself be pulled down. I got tired of trying to find a good job, so I started working for myself. I am the best boss I have ever worked for 😉 and after a few years of struggling, I am now doing much better.
 
Frontman said:
Sounds like the success I had after getting my degree in literature. I ended up enlisting in the Army to get a handle on my student loans.

Don't let yourself be pulled down. I got tired of trying to find a good job, so I started working for myself. I am the best boss I have ever worked for 😉 and after a few years of struggling, I am now doing much better.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I already did an 8 year stint in the Navy, the last tour was as a combat photographer. One would think that would get me somewhere in the media but it seems like it still comes down to who I know or who owes my dad a favor (I don't come from a family of means. First to graduate college.)
I'd love to start my own business but what I really want to do is tell stories through photos, video and writing. I hope I get a chance to do that one day. This year was just awful with my second bout of homelessness in my life. And I keep trying.

Phil Forrest
 
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