Welcome to the first day of October 2022! I can’t believe how fast this year has passed. My winter months will slow me down a bit (photographically), but I’ll still be spending my time working on my project. I have a few “winter pictures” that I want to make. We always have beautiful sunny days here in the winter. Coffee, the fireplace (wood-burning stove), and plenty of research and reading material will keep me busy until Spring.
There have been inquiries asking about workshops or doing a retreat here. First of all, I appreciate your interest. I do. However, I’ve announced a few times (mostly through my YouTube show) that I’m retired from teaching workshops and writing technical books. As far as retreats, those won’t be happening either.
The reason is twofold. COVID hit in March of 2020. Everyone went on lockdown. That put an end to almost everything (public gatherings) - including my workshops. In a lot of areas even today, that’s still an issue. And secondly, and more importantly, I’m devoting myself fully and completely to my projects and my own work for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been teaching, writing technical books, and trying to squeeze in personal projects for over 20 years. My personal work always ended up last on my list. I’m grateful for all of it but I want some real time to make these last few projects the best work of my life.
Everyone’s life is hectic and busy. It was the same for me all of those years. I was working a full-time job, teaching workshops, doing YouTube shows, writing technical manuals, and trying to make my personal work. I had a very crazy schedule at times. I always tried to fit family time, downtime, and simply doing nothing time in, too - it rarely happened, and it was a definitely struggle at times.
I’ve dreamed of living somewhere remote, not having a J.O.B. (Just Obey your Boss), making my own work, and spending time with my wife and family. That’s been my goal for more than two decades. I knew it would take hard work and sacrifice to make it happen and I was willing to do that. Jeanne (my wife) was on the same page and willing to work hard and make it happen, too - so we did!
I’ve never been happier and more grateful than I am now. I’ve never lived in a more beautiful, peaceful place than I do now either. Every day I see beautiful mountains and watch wildlife casually wander around the property - deer, bears, turkeys, foxes, etc. I see hawks and eagles riding the thermals in the sky above me - it’s dreamy and poetic.
It’s so quiet and peaceful here. I think solitude is very underrated. Living here, I feel like I’m really starting to understand Whitman and Thoreau like never before. I don’t need to “go camping” and “get away” on the weekend or holidays. I don’t care about conspicuous consumption, holiday weekends, or holidays in general. I lose track of days. Not caring is a wonderful thing and it gives freedom beyond belief. I’m humbled and grateful for it.
Needless to say that our move to the mountains changed my life in many ways. It’s given me an opportunity that I’ve never had before. To be completely devoted and give my full attention and consideration to my project, “In the Shadow of Sun Mountain”. I’m not sure if this is my last project or not. It doesn’t really matter. But it’s important to me to give my full attention to it, with no distractions.
I appreciate the people who come here and read my rants and ramblings. I really appreciate the email you send too. Your offerings of kind words, encouragement, and even references and resources are greatly appreciated.
Over time, this will be the only place you’ll find what I’m doing. I’m slowly, but surely, moving away from social media. I’ll keep my YouTube channel up for folks that want to search and find older broadcasts about some of the processes that I’ve demonstrated over the years. Facebook and Instagram will slowly go cold. I’ll leave the pages up, but direct people here if they’re interested in seeing what I’m up to.
There’s too much noise and too many distractions on social media for me. I'm more interested in slowing down, really thinking about what I’m doing, and making slow, deliberate choices about my (photographic) work and my life. Social media is the polar opposite of that. It feels like it needs to be fed an endless stream of meaninglessness and I’m just not into it. So bookmark this page, come back often and you can journey with me through this project. We both might learn some valuable lessons that aren’t available on social media ;-)
"The trouble is, you think you have time."
— Buddha.
“Calotype #12” A Whole Plate Kallitype (K1) print from a Calotype (paper negative).