2025 In Review
And just like that, we’re almost at a wrap for 2025. In terms of life, there were feats, and many challenges. One thing that I am so grateful for is my relationship with my Cariño. If you want to hear about that, well too bad because you get the scraps at the surface level only : ) You’re here for photography anyway.
First, I looked into my Notes app to find 2025 goals and found a nearly blank page with a question mark on it. In hindsight, a lesson for both you and me, WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN. Write small, achievable goals, and review them quarterly. We’ll review this at the conclusion here.
2025 Photography Accomplishments:
Traveled more! I visited Guadalajara and Guanajuato, Mexico. I traveled once to Seattle, WA, though I had a second work trip that got cancelled last minute. Close to home, I traveled to Carmel by the Sea for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sequoia National Park for Crystal Cove, San Diego Zoo, Palm Spring and Los Angeles.
Limited my focal length. If you saw my previous post, I am using a 35mm lens almost exclusively. I have dabbled in some 50mm, and 105mm, and I’m honestly not too sure what equivalent focal length my medium format lens would be, but the intent is to see a scene a derive just how close I need to be to capture what I want.
Began taking (and posting) more video. I’m not really camera shy, but I lack practice. Also, anyone who says different is lying, but editing video takes a lot of time. There are so many components and if you miss the audience in that first 6 second window then they’re gone. Anyway, the important thing is getting the practice and sharing the experience.
I’m taking a photo editing class! Sure I had to pay for it, but I do feel I’m getting good information out of it. Is it needed? No and Yes, in that order. No because the information is out there! If you look for it or find someone that can tutor you, then you absolutely do not need to spend a dime. The alternative, if those resources are not available, is to simply play with the tool. Everything is there and some exploration will allow you to succeed. In my opinion that takes a lot of time and that is why I decided to pay to streamline. It personally is not the best path because there is no one-on-one direction, but it did give me a resource to immediate knowledge.
Dabbled in many different film stocks. For a while now I’ve been trying to find what reflects Me as a person. It’s not preferred by many, but I absolutely love high saturation. For this my favorite has been Kodak Ektachrome E100, but it does cost more to develop since it is an E-6 film. My alternatives when my gear cannot keep up with the seasons are Cinestill 800T and Portra 800. Also, for bright and sunny days, I like the look of Phoenix 200. Not even Harman liked Phoenix; so much dislike that they released a Phoenix 200 Mark II. That’s okay. I will stay on Phoenix 200 Mark I island.
As you can see, these are all over the place. Achievements? Sure, but no true direction. I’ll see you in the next post for 2026 Q1 Photography Goals.
