100 Posts - Where Did They Come From !

Great time in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom this week.
But this weeks article is about looking back

There is something challenging about milestones. I was surprised recently to discover that I was approaching 100 blog articles. Last week's post was my 100th and that seemed as good an excuse as any to take stock and make some changes. I started the blog nearly four years ago, but only got serious about the process in the last two years. Starting in January 2011 I committed to publishing on a weekly basis and despite the strain of trying to come up with something (ANYTHING) to talk about every weekend, the process has be rewarding. As I have worked to keep the posts interesting and constructive, I have discovered that I have learned more than I could ever teach in my short articles. My research often involves finding the actual basis for many of the photographic techniques that I have learned through painful trial and error. As a result I have been able to refine my own skills. 

Taking Stock

Reviewing the 100 articles, I have become aware of certain themes that recur throughout my posts. The most prominent of these is my frequent rants about "Getting it Right in the Digital Camera". My articles about photographic and post-processing techniques usually come back to the idea that the digital image in the field should be crafted to provide the best raw material for the digital darkroom and not the prettiest image on the card.

 

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Arlington Crossing
I'm not telling where I was standing

I have also enjoyed sharing information about many of my favorite locations. I have never understood the tendency of some photographers to horde their prize locations like precious trade secrets. The photographic art doesn't stem from the location, but from the magic of each individual's interpretation. When I see a beautiful, fresh interpretation of one of my favorite sites, I first curse the bastard, and then try to learn from his or her vision. It can be a struggle to get beyond the cursing phase, but it's been worth the effort. 

Ice Bound Harrisville New Hampshire

Sadly, I have discovered that too many of my articles involve my whining about disappointing conditions. No snow, no fall foliage, too much rain, too little rain, and the ubiquitous, bad light, but I live in New England, if I only shot in perfect conditions, I would get out two or three times per year! The goal is to convert the whining into a discussion about how to get the most out of any conditions.
　

Change is Good

What's in a Name?
I have always felt a bit self- conscious, about the title of my Blog. "Jeffrey Newcomer Photography" was a quick selection of convenience when I was signing up for the blog, but it has always seemed a bit too narcissistic. 100 articles seems a good time for a change, and given the flow of my discussions, I have decide that "Getting it Right in the Digital Camera" may be a better hook upon which to hang the blog. 

Getting a Grip: Indexing

Blog Index

It has always been my goal to create a body of material that can serve as a source of reference for developing photographers, but scrolling down through four years of articles, I was struck by how difficult it is to find anything in that disorganized mass of topics. I have sweat blood for many of these articles with the hope that fellow photographers will find them valuable and it is painful to see them lost in the pile. It seems obvious that the only way to make this information useful is to organize the articles in an index of related topics. This will take time to perfect, but in honor of the hundredth, I have made a start. I have placed a Blog Index on my ancient main gallery site. I have started by listing most of my articles covering technique for "Getting it Right in the Digital Camera". I expect to organize this into subheadings. I have grouped many of my "location" articles in a separate section and split them between New England and "Out of Town". Down the line, I will be considering other topics to help with the organization. One will certainly be for quick tips and tricks. I'm not sure about a special topic dedicated to whining.

Teton Sunset

Thanks to all my readers. Please stay tuned and let me know how I can improve the Blog. I am particularly interested in your feedback about the index, but be kind, like everything here, it is a work in progress.

Getting it Right in the Digital Camera Blog Index