I think I mentioned I'm back in the darkroom - finally. I love every minute I spend there. While I'm there I lose all track of time. I'm calm. I'm at peace. I'd say it's very much like the time I spend sitting in meditation - except I come away with pretty pictures other people can see.

It's the New Year. I've made some resolutions - the biggest one is to shoot with the cameras I shoot with the most - and sell off the others. I've actually sold A LOT of my camera gear - and I'm happy I did. The one great thing darkroom time does for me is allows me to evaluate my negatives from the last few years, and determine which cameras / film / focal lengths I shoot with the most.

What I found came to me as no surprise. I mostly shoot with the same cameras I've shot with for years - mostly my rangefinders - and a fair amount with my 35mm SLR and MF cameras. I shoot a little with my pinholes and view cameras - and I intend to do more with them this year. I mostly shoot b&w - and 80% of the time I'm shooting with a 50mm or 35mm lens. No surprise at all.

With that in mind, the other part of the resolution is to use what I have - no other acquisitions. Trust me, I have enough to keep me busy until I draw my last breath. I certainly have enough film in cold storage to last me until Mae enters first grade!

So - I suppose I can say that what I've been looking for over the last many years was always right there in my own backyard. It was fun looking elsewhere, but I have to admit the distractions probably impeded my progress a bit.

It's a New Year. I'm a stay-at-home dad and loving it (yes, it has it's major challenges -- but I'm not one to turn away from a good challenge)... I look forward to this year - I realize just how fast time flies - and how quickly our little ones grow up. My eldest baby will be 28 this year -- 28... Damn -- where does the time go??

Happy New Year!

Listening to: Walking after Midnight - Patsy Cline

Pretty things from my Pretty Wife