A Year of Changes

From rural Alberta pursuing my Grain Elevator Project, to Waterton Lakes National Park on my wedding anniversary, to Montana just for the hell of it.

Twenty twenty-four marked a year of changes for me. After eight years on the platform, I decided to retire as a YouTube creator, and at the same time commit myself entirely to the digital format after being known for my film photography for so long. I did not make this decision lightly, and had many false starts over the years, but the reality is that while analog photography can enhance the user experience, the cost and time consumption, coupled with gear failure and (admittedly) user error caused too many disappointments after important projects. Vlogging on the road can be a burden to creativity because everything happens in fits and starts and shooting film compounds that. Shooting landscapes became so much easier after my departure in March and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted. Not even kidding here, probably fifty pounds.

Sometimes I miss the charm of film, and I may go back to it in some degree later in life, but the reality is I have more time for shooting, a greater budget for traveling and the ability to relax when I get back, rather than spending a week in the darkroom.

And without a studio or darkroom taking up space anymore, my wife and I opted for a condo in a trendy part of town, allowing me to explore my creative side as soon as I walk out the door. I was also able to make several trips with a new (to me) car. From rural Alberta pursuing my Grain Elevator Project, to Waterton Lakes National Park on my wedding anniversary, to Montana just for the hell of it.

I will always look back on 2024 as a turning point for the better.