JANUARY, 2018 UPDATE
by ag
On January 1, 2012, I posted my first pictures on Pixetera. It was the start of a yearlong photo/day challenge that immediately turned into a one-or-more photos/day project. Twelve months later I remember being ecstatic that I had accomplished my goal and could now relax, relieved of my self-imposed obligation to take and post images on a daily basis.
Much to my surprise, however, I continued to photograph quite regularly, such that my Pixetera posts have averaged out to one every 1.5 days over the past six years. It’s fun to look back and see where I started and where I am now: Some of the early work I still marvel at; some, I wouldn’t think of posting today. Still, I’m generally pleased at the way the work has progressed.
The reason I’ve been going backward in time is because I’ve started to develop another website where my images can be organized in a way that’s more meaningful than straight chronological blogging. At this point I’m pretty much resigned to the likelihood that the book I’ve been fantasizing about for years will never get done — mostly because of expense and time, but also the necessity of leaving so many photographs on the cutting room floor. Those won’t be problems on the new site, called alighting. There’s also a satisfying sense of continuity in sticking with the medium that birthed Pixetera. Having started my professional career when slide shows were all the rage, I have a special fondness for backlit images.
The downside of all this is that after six full years of picture taking/making, I need to back off a bit from Pixetera: Between eking out a living, railing against our fake president, getting alighting off the ground, cooking, cleaning (on rare occasions), and nourishing an inner self, something had to give. I’ve also been aware of encroaching burnout, a sure impediment to producing fresh and exciting work.
I’ll still be taking photos, just not posting them as frequently as I’ve been doing since 2012. Instead, I’ll be aiming for once every 7-10 days. At the same time, I expect to continue following my blogging friends daily — one of life’s great pleasures I hope to never relinquish. Some of you I’ve only become acquainted with in 2017. You should know that in a year filled with so much destruction, loss, tragedy, and profound disappointment in what this country has become, you’ve become bright spots in my day.
As a consequence of posting more infrequently, I’ll be ending my memorial to terror victims. My fear is that in a worst-case scenario, such posts will take over Pixetera now that the number of photos will be reduced. For better or worse, I don’t have it within me to create another blog chronicling the blood that’s shed in the delusional and horrific perversion of religion.
Here’s to the better angels of our nature in 2018. I like to think that one of them lies behind the photographs we take and why we’re so moved to share them.
I will be sorry not to see your photographs every day, Alan, but I absolutely understand about cutting back. In fact, I admire you. I fantasize doing that myself, but daily posting seems to be a habit hard to break. I look forward to alighting. Thank you for the last paragraph in this post; it’s hope-giving.
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Thanks Linda, and happy New Year’s Day to you. I was starting to feel like photo blogging was an addiction that I needed to break. Curious to see what happens in the space that opens up.
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I shall miss one of the brightest spots each day but I completely understand your predicament. I also fully understand the consequence of not having enough time to do everything you want to do. I think you should enjoy the time and continue to send us a few of your photos without the need to feel that it has become a chore.
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Amen. Thanks Ken.
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Although this year I have decided to star a 365 photographic project, I understand perfectly your decision. At some point it becomes necessary to take a break in our journey an take stock of our personal progress.
Go your own natural rhythmic pace.
All the best
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Merci bien Marcelo. I have to say that following your journey will be even more fun now that it’s no longer mine :)
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I like your annual posts, you’re good at getting to the point, but it’s not too spare. I get you about needing to back off something, and though I’ll miss the treats, maybe they will be all the sweeter for the infrequency. I hope you’re mostly on the 7 day side of every 7 – 10 days. ;-) Can’t wait to see what you’re up to with alighting, another great title (along with Pixtera and many of the titles you’ve come up with for posts). Your own better angels shine here, and will continue to shine as a bright spot to my day – or week. (And if you think of it, keep us posted on the inner results of stepping back, I’d be interested to hear how it feels). Best to you, Alan!
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Thanks Lynn for all your support and interest. I’ll be happy to keep you in the loop regarding developments.
Funnily enough I took a photo today that I’d be tempted to post but think I’ll wait. Wouldn’t want to make a liar out of myself :) or fall into old habits that get me into trouble.
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Pixetera is on my short list of blogs I check for new postings (nearly) every day. I always look forward to seeing your latest work. It will stay on the short list even with the understanding that the posts will be less frequent. By a similar token, each time I posted for the past year or so, I looked forward to seeing if it would elicit one of your wonderful comments. Thank you on both counts.
I hope you will direct us to ‘alighting’ when it is ready. Best wishes to you in 2018, Alan.
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Thanks so much Mic. At the very least, you can still count on me being a regular visitor to your site. I just hope that I’ll be able to maintain the quality of my comments so I don’t disappoint. (Since they go hand-in-hand with the quality of your photography, there’s probably nothing to worry about :)
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Much looking forward to your new site. Best of luck with the project.
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Thanks John. I’m looking forward to it too :)
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