I'm really proud of this photo. To me it signifies a slow and steady progression in my photography. Learning the technical aspects of photography isn't hard. It's like learning to use any other technical tool. Developing a personal style of editing and shooting though, is much MUCH more important and difficult.

In the past 12 months or so I have been doing what a lot of new photographers do which is creating images that are based on their influences. Though I have been shooting as long as I can remember, most of what I was doing was very casual. It wasn't until 2017 that I decided to dive in deeper and get more serious about pushing the quality of my images.

Along the way the quality of my shots has increased tenfold and I have finally found my comfort zone in the post editing process. However, I still struggle with finding a unique perspective through the lens. It is easy to mimic what we see and what is popular. Just like when I was learning the guitar as a kid! You learn lots of different songs, other peoples stuff, the riffs and licks, and you add all those tricks to your toolbox. But eventually you start using those tools to create your own music, and to develop your own style of playing (which is precisely what I did). Creating a more unique perspective and shooting differently from the masses is what I have been struggling with. It has only been recently that I have started to really come into my own from a shooting and editing style.

I've been in a bit of a shooting break since returning from Alaska. Being primarily into shooting landscape, and having visited some amazing places, when I come home, its hard to find inspiration and drive to shoot in Michigan. It seems as though it takes mountains to move me these days. Creative ebbs and flows though, and I know i'll feel it again soon.

Cheers,
CB