Last week of the year is for many people linked with balancing the past twelve months and setting up plans for the upcoming ones. I have to say, there have been many changes in my life lately, including buying and furnishing a house, a new home for me and my family. With new challenges at my work on the top and growing amount of standard children-related responsibilities, the spare time left for my biggest hobby – photography – has shrunk heavily. The outcomes are obvious – in 2024 I went photoshooting way fewer times than before, I was less active on posting new photos online as well. I’m way behind even my family tradition with calendar year photo books, where I haven’t yet finished the year 2023 (typing this on December 29th 2024, the odds of this being finished before New Year’s Eve are cold as a penguin’s tongue on a metal pole). Yet, in the past 12 months I managed to accomplish several photography achievements that I’m proud of...
My Very First Exhibition
Last spring, I finally managed to step out of the virtual world comfort zone as a co-exhibitor in the Colours of the World exhibition. I had been thinking of going out on a limb to present my printed photos in the real world for a long time, and I must say – I’m 100% sure it was not my last one. The feeling of seeing my prints live on the wall, getting feedback from other people and everything around was so fulfilling that I want more. More, more, more! 😃 Not sure if next year, but definitely soon. It was also an amazing achievement that we managed to collect 49,000 CZK (around $2,000) for charity purposes, money that went to Ulita na Statku, an organization that helps people suffering with autism spectrum disorder. A few weeks ago, we accepted their invitation to see the place and handed over a symbolic cheque. It was a very emotional and rewarding experience...
Exploring New Home Area
I already mentioned our new house, it’s located in very photogenic countryside. I see morning mists from our dining room at least once a week, it’s like a dream place for me. Unfortunately, after the move I didn’t have much time and energy for anything. One morning back in March I was up early, I took my camera and went out for a walk, ending at an amazing spot above fog with the sunrise beams turning it into a golden river below me. I put my camera on a tripod, composed, pressed the trigger and… nothing happened. My battery was dead as the camera had been lying in the backpack untouched for several months, and I didn’t bring any spare one. Since then, our household stabilized, yet I still don’t have as much time and energy as in the past, so I went shooting only a few times. From walks with our dogs I already have like 10 spots to go shooting when the conditions are good, so far you can check those few photos I’ve managed to take here… and way more to come! 😃
The USA trip
This year, I as well fulfilled a promise from the past. My mum got a trip to the US to see the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon from our family as a gift for her 60th birthday. My role was a guide, translator and driver, all in one. We had a long trip from Seattle through Yellowstone down to Utah and Arizona, ending in San Francisco, almost 7000 km on the road. The trip was not designed for landscape photography, we spent most of the golden hours and blue hours somewhere on the road, but I still managed to bring a few shots I’m proud of. Here is a small sneak peak, I plan to publish a full report soon… stay tuned 🙂
Night Sky Photography
I’m slowly exploring the world of night sky photography. Very, very slowly. It’s an area I’ve been eager to learn for a long time and I did my first baby steps this year. I managed to take a photo of aurora for the first time. I didn’t plan for it and don’t have any excellent exposition, but seeing such a colorful aurora for the first time was just astonishing. For the C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) comet, I planned more, but twice ended up staring into clouds. I got lucky on the third attempt when I was visiting my favorite Moravia. The comet was still visible to my naked eyes, it was not as bright as I recall Hale–Bopp when I was 9 in 1997, but back then I didn't know how rare such an event was. In this section I cannot miss finally getting a shot of Full Moon between the towers of Týnský Chrám in Prague. Not much of a night sky shot, but still another achievement from 2024 🙂.
My Hopes and Wishes for What’s next…
My biggest wish for next year is for my life to stabilize a bit more. My photography wishes for next year are simple – shoot more. I want to get back out with my gear and bring home new shots. I want to find some calm evenings when I will publish photos from the past 2 years as the pile keeps growing and growing. I want to continue exploring night sky photography, lately I got some more gear and cannot wait to give it a try. But first of all, I must finish the family photo book from 2023 😃.
To all my dear followers and supporters, all the best in 2025!
Tomas
PS: If you like my work, don't forget to follow my Facebook page or Instagram not to miss any of my newly published photos :)
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