New Year's Resolution

Fog at Kymijoki III / Nebel über dem Kymijoki, originally uploaded by Tilman..

I was not thinking I would do that, but with my photo mojo gone at the moment, maybe, more hopefully, this will be a way of getting myself focused and motivated during 2008. So here my resolutions for 2008:

1. Have my camera more often with me
I have to try to find a way of taking my camera with me wherever I go as much as I can.
2. Learn to use my equipment better
This is not only my cameras and lenses, but as well my flash.
3. Have a more effective work flow
Improve my usage of Lightroom and Photoshop.
4. Be more creative and learn to see
Trying new things and not only focusing on nature and landscape. I have to see if I have a chance to do some sports photography again and I would like to do some portrait and product photography.
5. Take some courses
I was thinking about taking at least one course just for the experience and fun and maybe even join a GAF (group of auto didactic photographers) group in the autumn.
6. Participate in some competitions
For the experience, fun and of course the challenge!
7. Have at least one photo trip somewhere abroad (outside of Switzerland and excl. Finland)
I'd like to go somewhere, where I have not been before and try to capture it, maybe combine it with taking a course.
8. Take my photo "business" to the next level
I already have registered a new domain name (still keep it a secret). I still have to register it with the commercial register and do all the administrative work and then will take it from there...
9. Blog more!
Yes, I really try to blog more and if I don't have a picture of myself to present, I hope I can show some from my contacts at Flickr.
10. Enjoy photography
Just appreciate the motivational side of photography, take pictures, get inspired by seeing pictures taken by others and enjoy 2008 from a photographic perspective!

Photo captured by D2Xs, 17-55AFS on Lexar digital film

2007 - A year has past

Frozen Mirror, originally uploaded by Tilman..

The year is almost over. Has it been a good one? Hard to tell, but I think I can complain.

From a photographic perspective, I wish I would have had more time to take pictures and I wish I would have a bit more variation in my pictures. Overall, even if there only have been few opportunities, I feel my image quality has improved. However I'm still not happy, but of course will I ever be? At the moment my mojo is a bit gone and I have to find some ways of motivating myself. I'm glad that I got a bit more active on Flickr and in addition found some other photographers that are willing to have a critical look at my pictures.

From a personal perspective, I definitely had my ups and downs and there has not really been any highlight(s) this year. I somehow got a bit more moody and I still don't know why. Hopefully, taking pictures can and will help me. Otherwise I'm happy the way things are. I probably would be a bit more happy if we could move back to Finland or maybe Sweden or Norway. I'm just more a scandinavian person. There is nothing really wrong with Switzerland, there actually a few reasons to be there, but when you are not really happy than it doesn't help so much. Frankly, just coming back from Stockholm and being in our cottage in Finland now, I think I have never been in that good spirits since moving to Switzerland than while I was living in Finland for 9 years and during this time I spend as well a lot of time in Sweden. Unfortunately as much as I want to, at the moment I have to be in Switzerland, but some day I'll be back up North.

I'm not yet wishing you a happy new year. There will be another post with my resolutions for 2008 tomorrow.

Photo captured by D2Xs, 17-55AFS on Lexar digital film

Where is the snow... (Part 2)

Where is the snow... (Part 2), originally uploaded by Tilman..

Yes, I'm now in Finland. I was not really expecting the winter wonderland that I was used to, but this...?

Where is the snow? The weather forecast is not promising either. It looks like it will be a green Christmas after all. Hopefully there will be at least some snow for New Year's...

Photo captured by D2Xs, 10.5mm on Lexar digital film

Joulu terveisin / Christmas Greetings

Joulu terveisin / Christmas Greetings, originally uploaded by Blickwechsel.

Getting closer to Christmas. I'm actually counting the days until we are going to Finland. Luckily the shops were open today in Bern, so we got a lot of the present shopping done and one big stress factor off.

I just wish there would be at least a bit of snow to get more into the Christmas spirit. Hopefully this will change next weekend.

Happy Holiday, Hyvää Joulua, God Jul!

Photos captured by D2Xs, 17-55AFS & 60 Micro on Lexar digital film

Where is the snow...?

Where is the snow...?, originally uploaded by Kleines Monster.

Yes, where is the snow?

We have the middle of December and have not really seen any snow this winter. Spending Christmas and New Year's in Finland might improve the situation. Although at the moment it seems to be the same gray and wet weather up in the north as in Switzerland.

I just have to keep the fingers crossed and count the days (7 to be precise) until I hopefully will be at the winter wonderland Finland.

Photo captured by D2Xs, 17-55AFS on Lexar digital film