My Photography and Hiking Goals for 2024
Explore Landscapes #18
I like to spend New Year's Eve each year reflecting on the past year, but more importantly, thinking about the year ahead.
I break down the year into quarters and set some short-term goals for the first quarter (typically no more than three) that I want to achieve. These tend to be business and personal/health goals. I also write out a bucket list of things I want to do, experiences I want to have, places I want to visit, and people I want to catch up with. I then repeat for the next three quarters. Setting quarterly targets is a lot more motivating and satisfying as they're more timely, are more likely to happen, and they kind of set the drumbeat for the year.
So, in no particular order, here are the goals (relating to landscape photography and hiking) that I want to achieve during 2024:
Spend more time mentoring and teaching photography.
Engage, interact with, and support my landscape photography community in-person and online.
Post to this blog/newsletter regularly (twice a week).
Plan at least one weekend photography trip each month during 2024.
Plan at least two longer (1 week+) photography trips during 2024.
Visit four new (to me) National Parks in 2024.
Walk/hike 1,000 miles during 2024.
Hike one Mojave Desert peak each month during 2024.
Reduce the amount of photog gear I carry in my backpack and never use.
Slow down and shoot fewer, better images.
Shoot more 'intentional' black and white images.
Get out and shoot more video and time-lapses.
Get more creative with my compositions.
Get closer and lower to the foreground.
Enjoy the landscape.
Wishing you all the best for 2024; stay safe, and enjoy your photography.
Until next time, explore, experience, and enjoy our wildlands responsibly. Think before you geotag. Adopt the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace and practice Responsible Nature Photography.
Bye for now,
Jon
