Looking back on 2017 [Part 03]

Welcome to the final Part of this 3-Part review of what my 52-Week Photography Challenge was like. I will keep it short, I hope.

The year’s most important event was of course, my first solo exhibition, which was in collaboration with The Hub Karen. It was also my most scary undertaking since I started off on this photography journey. But, it was also one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had so far.

Thanks to all the guys who were able to pass by, even by accident. I look forward to more of such in the near future.

What did I learn out of all this?

1. Consistency The single most important thing I learnt was that consistency beats inspiration and all that ‘creative juices’ hullabaloo. There were times I felt spent and inadequate, but I still carried around the camera and kept my eyes open for opportunities to shoot. Not breaking the chain became more important than anything else, and the more I pushed myself through the low moments, the more I found subjects and locations to shoot.

2. Inspiration is just an excuse So, don’t wait for inspiration to slap you in the face. Get out there and shoot. Chuck Close said, “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightening to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful lot of work. All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself.”

I can confirm that this is 100% TRUE. Try it, and thank him later.

3. Networks Find like-minded peers and shoot with them. You both get to learn a thing or two from each other and you may end up getting some fresh ideas for your next projects. Don’t be afraid of trade-offs, but be sure that your end of the stick isn’t simply branded ‘exposure’. If there’s no value on your end, keep walking.

Speaking of networks (and sharing your work), some of my Nairobi images were showcased in a recent publication by Footprints Press. We connected via Instagram and were able to work something out.

4. Personal Projects Create your own briefs and execute them, to the end. Fail and try again. Fail again and throw yourself at it until you’re able to do it with your eyes closed.

Case in Point, my ongoing Half Life project. It’s a series of images showing the day-to-night transition of Nairobi’s Skyline from different perspectives.

Below is a collection of a few of those.

5. Gear Matters If you know what you’re doing, and if you’ve been doing it for a while [read, YEARS], then the kind of gear you use helps keep, and even improve, the kind of work you throw out there.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t make use of what you already have.

I made most of these images with a refurbished Nikon D5100 [bought in 2013], a Nikkor 50mm lens [my favorite] and a Samyang 14mm f/2.8 [also a gift, from a good friend]. The extra set of equipment included a panoramic head to make the panoramas. I was also able to [occasionally] borrow a full frame setup to try out on a few assignments.

So, make use of what you already have in your hands and of course, take care of it so you can get the best out of it.

I hope this helps you do more with what you have. It may be a post on Photography but I am certain the same can be applied in any creative field.

As long as you’re breathing, head out and create.

Most importantly, show your work. If you can’t share on the available public platforms available, ask for feedback from the people around you who are exceptional at what they do. And please, don’t ask for reviews on single images. Submit a series, or a full portfolio. That way, they’re able to give you more concise feedback.

Last image of 2017 and first of one of 2018, all rolled into one.

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What next? I’ve started the 2018 edition of Project 52 and I’m currently on Week 13 – 39 more to go. I’m hoping to make this an annual adventure and hopefully shoot less of the easy-to-reach locations that I am comfortable with and venture more into the unexplored.

Special thanks to my wife Eva, my No. 1 fan [like she has a choice] and also Mutua, Kevin, Eric & Shiro, for letting me borrow their [beloved] gear to try out new stuff every once in a while.

#lookingback #yearinreview #mutahichiira #httpwwweyeconicmediacoke #wwweyeconicmediacoke #eyeconicmedia #eyeconicmediablog