What will 2017 bring?

2016 has received a great deal of criticism of late. Many argue the election results in England and the US is evidence of the year being poor, ignoring the large numbers of voters who supported these moves. Others say that there is a large number of celebrities who passed away in 2016. I never knew these celebrities outside of the roles they would play in the movies I loved.

Looking back at 2016 from a photography point of view, I learned a great deal both technical and artistic. I learned how to develop color film (C-41 processing), I developed some stronger darkroom skills and I learned a great deal about some of the photography masters. I went to a Josef Sudek exhibition in Paris and was able to see some photos made by William Henry Fox Talbot. I learned about an amateur photographer that became a magnificent street and portrait photographer shortly before his passing. I have since bought several books and a few of his works and am enjoying the legacy that Colin O'Brien left behind.

In terms of gear, I bought more. I am not proud of that but cannot seem to help myself. I decided to purchase a Leica ME camera and purchased a wide angle lens for it. I shot a ton of film and digital photographs and even managed to get a few printed in the darkroom.  Finally I shot my old Brownie Flash II camera which is something I have been planning on doing for some time.

So looking into 2017 what should be my goals?  After some careful thought here is a short list of what I would like to do...
1. Have some images professionally printed.
2. Build a book of my photographs and a book on some of our recent trips. 
3. Develop the skill of reading the light without a light meter.
4. Explore the dark end of the light spectrum. Leave more to the imagination.
5. Work with pinhole photography.

That is it. If I can accomplish these things I will be very happy with 2017.

In terms of gear, 2017 will be a year of consolidating my cameras.  What I mean to say is that I need to have my Hasselblad repaired, the OM-1, Nikon F3 serviced.  My Leica M6 also needs some CLA love. That is where my investment will need to go.