As 2017 comes to an end, I think about what I achieved, what didn’t quite work out and what I’m looking forward to for 2018. The year has gone by very quickly. There were plenty of significant work events and a number of personal changes to my life. All in all, 2017 has been an interesting one. I’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on my year and coming up with some goals for 2018. But before we get into that, lets see how 2017 went based on what I set out to do.
Highlights of 2017
Photography
It’s the second year I’m running Travellinglens.co and it’s a fun and process as it has helped me become more intentional about the photos I share and the stories I tell. While I didn’t hit my goal of writing and posting 100 blog posts by the end of the year due to travel and life commitments. I’m still pleased with what I did manage to share.
It’s my second year of using the Fujfilm X-T10 and I’m still loving the Fujifilm ecosystem. I’ve done a lot of travel in 2017 (more on that later) and my camera has served me well. Thanks to Fujifilm Australia, they have been kind enough to lend me some lenses and the X-T2 to travel with, which has been a blast. I look forward to spending more time in 2018 editing my backlog of photos from 2016 and 2017 and sharing some of these travel and photo experiences with you all.
I read a bunch of photography and creative books which has broaden my photographic knowledge, given me more creative inspiration and ideas. I enjoyed using Instagram to share my photos, especially while travelling. It was easy and convenient to upload some of my favourite shots from my camera to my photo, and edit using VSCO. I was also featured a few times by Fujifilm which was fun and I appreciated the recognition.
Travel
On the travel front, I spent around 2 months travelling and exploring in 2017. I visited Malaysia twice. I spent a week exploring Tasmania. My friend and I landed in Launceston, drove down to Freycinet National Park then onward to Hobart. The trip was a good mix of relaxation, eating, hiking and exploring. I also managed to do two road trips in WA. I spent the Easter long weekend down in Denmark with friends wining and dining. I also made a trip down to Margaret River recently for a weekend away.
The big trip for 2017 was my month away in the UK and Iceland. I spent two weeks in the UK with family, exploring London and Edinburgh. We did manage to organise a couple of day tours to check out the Scottish highlands, Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge. Separately I also spent a day each in Oxford and Cambridge with some friends after Iceland. Our 14 day road trip around Iceland was an intense and epic drive. We saw endless waterfalls and some amazing landscapes. From giant glaciers to some of Europe’s biggest waterfalls. The highlight was witnessing the dancing lights in the sky that was the northern lights. It was definitely a memorable trip away. I’m definitely glad I had such a compact camera system while travelling, otherwise I don’t think I would have taken as many photos as I did.
What didn’t work out in 2017
- I was hoping to complete a 27/27 challenge where I shoot daily using the 27mm f2.8 lens (my favourite) for 27 days, but again the year got away from me with some personal commitments and changes in life circumstance. I’m not really sure if a photo challenge is for me, but I wouldn’t mind putting it down as a “maybe” goal for 2018. Or convert the challenge into some sort of personal project.
- I didn’t hit 100 blog posts by the end of 2017 as I aimed to do due to travel and personal commitments. It was a tough challenge to rise to and while I only got half way there, I’m still pleased with what I did share.
Goals for 2018
- My travel (and in turn photography trip) plans for 2018 include a week in Malaysia to visit family and friends, 2 weeks in Japan for Cherry Blossoms and exploring that beautiful country and lastly a 2 week trip to Eastern Europe for a friend’s wedding and hopefully exploring Eastern European cities for the first time.
- If I manage it, I want to hustle up a trip down to Albany with some friends to hike Bluff Knoll, probably the third quarter of 2018 as my overseas travel plans are all happening in the first half of the year.
- Write and post 70 blog posts in 2018
- Get through my photographic backlog from 2016 and 2017, which includes some big trips (New Zealand, UK, Iceland, Tasmania). As I get through my photo editing I’m intending to share my favourite shots and stories on the blog.
- At the end of the year I would like to refresh my portfolio images as I’m sure I’ll have some new favourites from recent years to add to the mix or replace some old photos.
Have a safe and merry holiday season. I hope you get to refresh and set yourself a few goals for 2018 as I have. I’m looking forward to another year of experiences and challenges. Thanks for stopping by today.
J.
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