Year 2017 will soon be history and the calendar will birth 2018. Blink twice and it'll be Valentine's Day. Without wings time flies!

Who doesn't know that the older we get, the faster time seems to go? Also, let's not forget the parallel adage: Time flies when you are having fun. However, as we age, time flies whether we are having fun or not. C'est la vie. However, as photographers (OK... phonetographers too), it's all fun.

Now, I'll bet that you did it! Made New Year’s resolutions. Everybody makes them! The only question is how many resolutions you made for 2018? Ten? Twenty? More?

Resolutions like: Start a meditation practice, eat fewer calories, read more books, watch less TV, exercise five days a week, treat a mermaid to lunch, loose a 150 pounds, get organized, spend less time on social media, become more romantic. Anything resonate?

These popular resolutions are all fine and dandy but there are others that are... ahem... (IMO) more important.

You did get a new camera for Christmas, didn't you? Great. Here are a few important photography-related resolutions to consider.

1) 'I resolve to first read the camera manual.' You must! The first rule of photography is knowing how to use your camera in any situation. Command and control is paramount. 2) 'Resolve to make more photographs.' Photography is about the way you see the world. That does not mean you have to travel. There is much in our own backyards. Think about photographing something new in a familiar place. 3) 'Resolve to fail a lot.' Doing so means that you are simultaneously learning a lot. Knowing what not to do is as powerful a lesson as learning what to do next time. 4) 'Resolve to value content over quality.' An emotion that an image evokes is more important than technical precision. 5) 'Resolve to learn a new shooting technique every month.' Approaching a subject with a fresh perspective motivates creativity. Now list a few personal resolutions regarding photography that are important to you.

If interest prevails, I have a few ideas to execute in 2018. For example, photo walks. Photo walking is a communal activity of photography enthusiasts who gather in a group to walk around with a camera for the main purpose of making photos of things that interest each photographer. The aim is to practice and improve one's own photography skills rather than a specific focus on documentary photography. Then followed by a photo critique not intended to be critical but provide helpful tips if warranted.

I am also considering monthly photo assignments based on themes. Examples, black & white, street portraits, food, vintage signs, abstract & conceptual, textures, golden hour, reflections, shadows, mermaids, graffiti, etc. If there's sufficient interest, I'll establish a new Facebook group for displaying photos submitted.

If you're interested, very important to send me an email with two words in the subject line: I'm in! No email means no interest. If you have other ideas, tell me. Email address is below.

BTW, if Santa forgot to bring you a new camera, hurry and collect all your Master Card and Visa gift cards and go buy one.

Say what? What are my New Year's resolutions? OK, since you ask, I only make resolutions that I know I can execute. Accordingly, my 'one' resolution is don't make any resolutions! I'm assured success!

Wishing you and yours a joyful, healthy and peaceful 2018! And happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions, or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com