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

[lynnb]

What's been the highlights of your year during 2012, photographically speaking?

Perhaps it was taking on a new photographic challenge, and succeeding?
Changing your approach to photography or to the subjects you photograph, leading to better pictures?
Learning new techniques and skills that made a significant improvement in the pictures you make or print?
Acquiring new gear you've always coveted?
Enjoying the company of other RFF members?
A successful book launch, or exhibition?
Taking some special images that you know you will always be important to you?

Feel free to share the things you've done with photography that will make 2012 memorable to you. I'm sure there are lots of stories here just waiting to be told!

 

[lxmike]

Well after 35 years of lust i finally got an M2 that is my highlight of 2012

 

[thegman]

Highlights for me were..

Properly deciding on film, I've been thinking about digital for a while, got a D7000, sold it and decided I was set on film. It's kind of relaxing to not always be second guessing myself now.

Got a Rolleiflex GX and a Zeiss Super Ikonta III, both great cameras.

As far as actual photography goes, fairly disappointing, took some so-so stuff, but nothing I'm particularly happy with. Next year should be different though.

 

[daveleo]

Although I bought some new gear, the years highlight is that I made some (6, I think) pictures that I am extremely happy with.

 

[lynnb]

My picture taking highlight was the huge seas along the Sydney coast on 06 June. It was a spectacular sight with 30' waves, and resulted in some memorable photos.

Getting back into processing b&w has also been very satisfying, I'm now shooting a lot more film, and making some nice prints. I'd like to thank all the helpful people on RFF who freely make available their knowledge and experience - including Roger and Chris Crawford, amongst others.

Buying a Yashica TLR was also a highlight. I've wanted a quality MF camera for some time, inspired by the outstanding work posted here on RFF; already the few prints I've made have left me wondering why I waited so long. Printing more and printing better was one of my goals for 2012, and it's definitely been a highlight to achieve that.

Another highlight has been the friendship and support in this community. I am often touched by the kindnesses I have seen and experienced here. Thanks to all for being such a nice bunch of people.

And finally, it's been inspiring looking at the work posted in the Gallery each week. Some really excellent eyes and minds at work here.

Cheers,

 

[Richard G]

1. M9
2. First post to Gallery here
3. First pick in the weekly Gallery picks
4. Making my own picks each week
5. Corresponding with one RFF member
6. Meeting another, the OP!

 

[Don Parsons]

Participating in the RFF Postcard 2 exchange!
Buying my 6 year old her first camera.
Holding a camera that truly felt comfortable in my hands-the Olympus OM-d. Haven't pulled the trigger on one yet but probably will next year.

 

[johannielscom]

Replies crack me up.

Ask a carpenter what was your nicest work-related moment this year and he answers 'I got myself a really cool new hammer!" 😛

Yes I got me some gear and I like it. I use it to get work done. It does the job as long as I do the job myself.


Me, I started two projects in this year. One on my old high school building that will be demolished, one on hidden poverty in modern-day Netherlands. It has taken me some time to develop myself in a sufficiently capable photographer to even start working on them.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Arles.

Cheers,

R.

 

[kbg32]

Produced a new series that culminated in a book, as a portfolio.

 

[astro8]

Quite a lot for me this past year.

At the beginning of the year I took some photos of my wife that I can't ever see myself bettering...but that won't stop me trying. 😉

I've started shooting and developing b&w film and find it both interesting and rewarding. I'm lucky enough to have a couple of film Leicas and a Pen-FT with some wonderful lenses.

Lately, I've discovered colour and it's liberating. I always shyed away from it but through some RFF threads and the Gallery I've found a new road to explore with my beloved R-D1.

The overall highlight though, as Lynn says, has been the friendship and support. You are definately the nicest, most generous, most interesting bunch of people I've never met. 🙂

 

[froyd]

With all the recent threads about gear vs final image, I'm reminded that 2012 was an important year for me because it helped me realize that even when a camera helps you produce your best work, it might still not be the right tool.

This was somewhat a sad realization for me because I had always wanted an M4 and after finding one with a Summaron 2.8, I gave it my all to learn to love this camera, giving myself a full year to acclimate to the Leica.

In the past 12 months, the XP2, Summaron, M4 combo produced what I can honestly claim to be the best images I took in a long time (in 35mm). Yet, I also learned that using the M4 is not for me and I'm not happy using it, no matter what results I get from it.

I don't regret my year-long experiment, but I looking forward to moving on.

2013 will be "my stick with film or try digital" year. Looking forward to the experiences!

 

[thawkins]

Spending a weekend in New Orleans with my M3 and several rolls of Ilford B&W film.

 

[DennisPT]

I gave myself another chance to shoot digital this year but I found myself enjoying more when I shot film. At the same time I have a hard time adjusting to the post-Kodak UC/VC era. Hope next year will be better.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Busy year, survived cancer, had first experience with Leica M2, M3 which I thoroughly enjoyed, rode motorcycle cross country with M2, covered DNC convention in Charlotte, sold first picture through NY syndication house I just signed a contract with, got to spend another Christmas with my beautiful wife and kids.

Good year.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Mackinaw]

Probably buying my first 4X5 camera, a Busch Pressman. 4X5 has a certain "look" that I really like. Still learning the camera and format, but it's great fun.

Jim B.

 

[kingqueenknave]

1: I had a photo-essay published in the Fall issue of Tin House Magazine.

2: Experimented with digital for a few months, still shooting film.

 

[cjm]

My highlights from this year:

RFF Postcard Exchange 2
Photographing a monthly live story telling show
Photographing my travels to New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Palm Springs, etc

 

[JeffL]

Started doing my own C-41.

 

[Calzone]

Ordering a MM.

Averaging shooting and processing 60 rolls of film a month. (About half medium format)

Exploring East Harlem, Harlem, the South Bronx, and Randels and Wards Islands.

Downsizing my camera gear and being solicited by an art dealer for some trades for vintage Bruce Davidson prints.

The past NYC Meet-Ups held every month over the last year. Always a good time of sharing and brotherhood.

Cal