Do you feel you improved compared to the previous year?
2019 marked a significant period of personal growth and improvement in my photography journey. Initially, I became adept at shooting in manual mode, which allowed me to have greater creative control over what aspects of the photo would be emphasized. Additionally, I mastered the use of manual focus, which was admittedly a coping mechanism for the baffling auto-focus of the Panasonic G85.
I also started exploring unconventional perspectives, steering away from the most “obvious” shots. This approach led to the creation of more visually compelling and unique images.
Finally, to reach the next level in photography, I recognized the importance of having the right equipment. Consequently, I invested in my first professional lens, the Olympus f/2.8 12-40mm, which significantly improved image quality when compared to the stock lens that came with the G85. Additionally, I discovered the value of prime lenses and learned when to best utilize them. Among my favorites is the Olympus f/1.8 17.5mm, which came an indispensable tool for taking landscape shots.
What were the most important lessons you learned during traveling?
After several photographic trips, the most poignant lessons were –
1. Always carry extra batteries, and make sure they are fully charged before leaving.
2. Bring a laptop and a hard drive to backup files periodically during your journey.
3. In especially dusty areas (such as the Grand Canyon), a lens cloth and liquid cleaner are essential for ensuring clean shots.
4. Experiment with different settings and angles to capture the perfect shot, and don't hesitate to try a few more variations afterwards.Did you re-edit any of the 2019 photos for this website?
Although the photos in this collection are nearly five years old, I made a conscious decision not to re-edit them. There were several compelling reasons to consider re-editing, such as the significant improvement in my editing skills and the potential benefits of AI-based image processing for denoising and sharpening.
Nevertheless, I opted to preserve the historical accuracy of these photos by leaving the original editing intact. Imperfections not only add character to the images but also serve as a timestamp, much like the distinctive “VHS” look that’s synonymous with the 1980s. Applying modern AI techniques to photos taken before AI was widely available would deviate from the authentic archiving process.
Having said that, I may re-edit and share some of these photos on social media in the future – particularly the night shots that could benefit from advanced denoising techniques now available.