Well Christmas is over for another year and, as has become something of a tradition for me, I'm writing an end of year summary on the blog. Hmm.... What can I say about 2023 other than it was pretty fantastic?
My year began in a fairly prosaic way, doing local photography in Paris as well as doing some street and urban photography in Hamilton, On.
 |
| Holiday Light Display, Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, On. |
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Back in Canada, my son, Greg purchased a camera, a Canon EOS RP as an upgrade from the Canon EOS M3 I had passed down to him when I went to the Fuji System. Greg has been doing on-line video editing and has also jumped into the realm of still photography. He has become a member of the Paris Photo Collective. In addition to having a great eye behind the camera, he is a Lightroom wizard who has shown me a few things in the world of post processing. Turns out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
 |
| Photo by Greg Barker |
 |
| Photo by Greg Barker |
 |
| Photo by Greg Barker |
The Paris Photo Collective has been fairly active this year. We've consistently held meetings in venues as diverse as a heated loft at the home of one of our members, the common room in the apartment building of one of our members, a photo studio operated by one of our members, Le Petite Marche, the picnic shelter in Lion's Park, the Paris Public Library, and, most recently St. Paul's United Church in Paris. What can I say? We really get around! This is a group that can hold an impromptu meeting in the parking lot of a donut shop!
The Collective also had our first group showing at the Dog-Eared Café. It was very well received. A second pop up show organized by Adam Tipler took place at the Norfolk Night Market -Christmas Edition. This group cranks out some pretty awesome pictures and this is the year we started to get the work out there!
I can never write an end of year summary without including a note of thanks. In the past, I have written that photography is a solitary endeavor. While it's true that the actual act of making a photograph is usually a solitary experience, progression in the craft only happens with the kindness and support of an amazing community of people. Thanks to the patrons who have liked and purchased my pictures. Your appreciation and support mean a lot to me. Thanks to the members of the Paris Photo Collective who are not only a group of really good photographers, but also a group of really good friends. You guys are amazing! Thanks to the gallerists and curators for providing us venues to show our pictures. I couldn't get the work out there without you. Thanks to my friends and family who are not only incredibly supportive but also insanely patient when I want to take "Just one more shot!" Thanks to a community that celebrates the arts and the creative experience. I am truly blessed.
