Well, gosh damn, it’s 2021 and most of us made it across the finish line. I say this because nearly 350,000 Americans lost their loves during 2020 … many unnecessarily. It didn’t have to be this way. It really didn’t. For those of you who lost a loved one or friend, you have my greatest sympathy.

Yes there was a hoax in 2020, but it wasn’t the pandemic or collusion, or all the so-called fake news put out by the mainstream news media. No, it was the cruel joke perpetrated upon those who somehow believed there was a true president and a functioning government during the past four years that cared about this country and the American people. But the good news is in less then three weeks our long national nightmare will be over. And yes it won’t be easy. One of few accomplishments of Individual 1 was to sow discord in our nation in ways that few could have dreamed possible.  We will all have to work at this and better times will be ahead!

Okay, so what about our photography?  2021 is going to be a great year if we decide to really live a fully “photographic life”. The vaccine is coming but we will still need to be careful during the coming months. But dammit it’s a new year so let’s make the most of it!  Commit to doing whatever you need to do to keep your head in the game until you feel comfortable about making the types of photographs you normally do.  And if the virus isn’t a problem for the subject matter you focus on, then get out there and make pictures!

But wait, there’s more!

If you’re not doing anything but reading this and thinking about all the great things you could be doing, get off your chair and do something … anything! How about this? Sit back down, grab a pad or journal if you keep one and write down a plan of everything you want to do this year. That’s right; write it down!  Here are a few ideas. For starters learn some new things from most convenient knowledge source readily available to you … the Internet, and then go through you photographic library for inspiration. What about the library? It’s open on a limited basis. I was just there this week doing research for a project. Same thing for galleries and museum; you can safely visit them.  While they’re also open on a limited basis they also have a lot of great information available online. Buy some books you have wanted for a long time. I just did! Get your camera equipment serviced if necessary.  Now how about giving your darkroom a good vacuuming, and clean it of any unnecessary clutter. It’s not your messy bedroom, it’s a neat and dust free working space. If it’s not being used get rid it. Sell the stuff or donate it to someone that can use it. Are your film speeds and development times correct? Are you caught up making your proof sheets?  Have you even gone through your recent proof sheets to see if there are some keepers worth printing?  What about going through your older proof sheets to see if there are some hidden gems you never printed? Have you thought about printing at all?

Now define some achievable photographic goals. That way there can’t be any excuses. A couple of long-term projects and some shorter ones that can be more easily accomplished might well make sense. And of course be open to any random opportunities you learn about or that just pop up from an impulse you have. Try to keep things within two hours of where you live. No need to travel far. Forget about it another potential for an excuse. Think hard and creatively! There’s plenty of good stuff nearby if you open your eyes and heart to all the possibilities! Write it all down!

There will be plenty of ups and downs in 2021. Sure there will. But we can live truly photographic lives right now. Things will become more normal and we will be making the types of pictures we love … normally. Yes, 2021 is going to be a really good photographic year. I know it will be for me because I want it to, and I am going to do all I can to make it so! I hope it will be the same for you!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and photographically productive New Year.

Stay safe,

Michael