Looking forward, looking back
Can you believe it's 2025? Time is flying.
Reflecting on the past year on New Year’s Day is helpful. Did I achieve my goals? Is there something I can improve upon? Am I on the right track? These questions matter, and it’s easy to grind on auto-pilot if we don’t consider where we’re heading.
2024 was a challenging year for me. I worked a lot — too much, really. I organized two exhibitions, produced a photography speaker series, and co-curated a documentary film program. I also burned the midnight oil at my day job, which was more demanding than ever this year. Still, it was a fun, rewarding, and, above all, a fulfilling year.
I guess that’s the point of these projects: to challenge ourselves and expand our creative potential. My New Year’s resolution is to take it easy in 2025 and prioritize balancing productivity and downtime. I know many of you can relate.
I would love to hear from you. Do you have a New Year's resolution?
I was initially planning to curate a winter pictures mix for this holiday post, but I woke up thinking it would be good to reflect on last year instead. I published some good stuff in 2024 and thought you might enjoy revisiting the highlights over coffee this morning. So, I’ll postpone that winter picture feature for a few weeks. That means you still have time to submit your favorites! Email is always the best way to reach me.
Some of my readers unsubscribed this year because I focused too much on all the programming I organized here in Madison. That makes sense. I appreciate the feedback and will find a better balance in 2025. I still plan to program photography events in my local community, but I want to keep the newsletter interesting for those who read from other parts of the globe.
I don’t pay close attention to my stats, but I was poking around yesterday and was happy to see that FlakPhoto is read by nearly 33k people across 50 U.S. states and 171 countries. That’s awesome and inspiring. Thank you for looking!
I especially want to thank the 419 of you who support me with paid subscriptions. You help keep the lights on, and I appreciate it.
Okay, I’ll get to it. Below are five of my favorite posts from 2024. If you find something you like, please share the link with a friend. Word of mouth is how FlakPhoto grows, and every little bit helps. Happy New Year!
FlakPhoto Year In Review 2024
German farmers and fallow fields
In which I get back on the horse and find myself tumbling down a rabbit hole about one of August Sander's most famous photographs.
Charles H. Traub's Do's and Don'ts
A photography teacher's lessons for inspiring lens and screen artists.
One more thing…
The element of surprise is part of the fun of putting out an open call. I was excited when Freddy Christensen showed me his work. I think you’ll agree that his drone images are lovely.
I asked Freddy about his photography, and here’s what he had to say:
I’m Freddy Christensen, a drone photographer born and raised in Qaqortoq, the southern part of Greenland. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the special magic that appears during our dark winter months: the way fleeting daylight softly illuminates the snow-covered landscapes, how the sky meets the icy horizon, and how the colorful houses stand out against the vast snowy backdrop.
Despite the limited daylight, Greenland’s winter is far from dreary. A stillness accompanies each settlement, yet it’s never empty or lifeless. You’ll see faint glimmers of orange streetlights in the distance, watch boats quietly resting in partially frozen harbors, and feel a peaceful and awe-inspiring calm. Through my photography, I strive to capture those contrasts: the untouched wilderness paired with the warm, tight-knit spirit of our communities.
I hope that by sharing these images, people from all around the world can get a glimpse of Greenland’s unique winter charm. You’ll sense the rugged isolation and the welcoming coziness that define our towns. These photographs are an invitation to explore and connect with the beauty, resilience, and warmth of Greenland’s winter life.
There are plenty more views of these Greenland landscapes on Freddy’s Instagram. Please check him out when you can; he’ll appreciate the follow. That’s all for now, friends. Stay warm, and take care! ❄️
Thank you for sharing Freddy‘s work - so beautiful!
As far as you highlighting the local events you have been a part of, I thought the balance there was great and loved hearing about them. There are many places I can see photos and I would rather read about your personal connection to photo art and how you engage online and with your community.