2016 was a very good year. I traveled to places near and far, challenged myself, accomplished some big goals, and experienced many 'firsts'. This is a year end review told mostly with my photography.
The cover image was captured on my birthday, January 1, 2016 just before sitting down to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Jake's in Del Mar, California. This year's birthday was celebrated the same way.
Travel
Trips near and far. Many for the first time.
First time attending the post Rose Parade float viewing.
Two weeks later we returned to Los Angeles for a Van Morrison concert at the Shrine Auditorium. It was our first Van Morrison concert and first time at the Shrine. The following day we toured around Los Angeles, which included a first time visit to the Bobby Kennedy memorial. I captured this image of Kennedy's engraved portrait with a reflection of a tent seen in his face. The tent was occupied by a couple living on the streets. I read the tent's reflection as a tear.
Tucson, Arizona
In March I traveled to Tucson to work an Adobe sponsored event as the resident Adobe 'expert'. The job opportunity was a first, and the realization of a major career goal.
The day started early by photographing the desert at sunrise, another first for me on many levels.
Pauly Pavilion, UCLA
Two days later I worked the same event in Los Angeles on the campus of my alma mater, UCLA.
Central Park, New York
We spent two days in New York on our way to London for our first European vacation. It was my first spring visit to NYC.
I met Abraham and gave him a print of the illustrated-photo portrait I created of him, title 'Abraham Sings'. We didn't know each other. He didn't know that I had created a portrait of him. It was an awkward and emotional meeting, and very rewarding.
Travel is good for the soul, and relationships.
Europe
For our first trip to Europe we took an eight day tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and spent four additional days in London on our own. I came home with a lot of photos. Here's one from each location we visited.
Back in the homeland
Oregon
Portland, Oregon
We spent three nights in Portland which included a visit to the Pittock Trail. and Mt. Hood National Forest, Cascade Locks.
Blythe, California
The last trip of the year was a single day drive to the desert for business. I spent the morning in search of photo ops while Blaise worked.
We drove through Glamis on the way home. I've never been. Unfortunately we were not able to pull off of the road for photos. I captured this from the window of our moving car. I must return for a closer look.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A year for noteworthy achievement.
PePcon Conference Speaker
I presented two sessions at PePcon in San Diego. This was my first time speaking at a conference, and something that had been on my goals list for several years.
Second Degree Black Belt
I trained, tested and earned a second degree black belt in Taekwondo marital arts.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim
I completed a two day, north rim to south rim hike of the Grand Canyon with my good friend Carey.
Adobe MAX
I gave a presentation at the Adobe Community MAX Summit, attended by Adobe Community Professionals, Adobe User Group Managers, and Adobe Employees.
Also at MAX, I TA'd for three different sessions and worked two different Adobe booths in the Community Pavilion.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
A creative year for drawing
Friends from out of state visited in February. They convinced me to join them on a safari excursion at the Safari Park, something I hadn't previously done. (surprising because I live only two miles from the park). The close encounter experience inspired me to begin a series of zoo portrait drawings with Adobe Draw on an iPad. I completed eleven zoo portraits during the year.
The zoo portrait series motivated me to visit the park more often than in recent years. I spent long periods of time photographing different animals.
Here are some of this year's photographs that became illustrated zoo portraits
I spent an hour photographing Lemurs on a day when they were uncharacteristically active. I captured some great portraits, but realized later that Lemur's are defined more by their tails than their face. I still haven't captured the right image for a drawn Lemur portrait.
Lake Hodges
A year of sunrise hikes
My friend and I have a standing commitment to hike twice week. We made it to the trail more often than we missed. My camera was with me for most of them, but I didn't shoot every time out. Here's a photo from each of the mornings that inspired me to take my camera out.
Close to Home
I did a fair amount of photographing people and places close by, something I admittedly should be doing more of. I am extremely lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
The background image is a sculpture at the UCSD Extension campus where I teach. I've been photographing this sculpture for four years now. This was taken on May 11.
I photographed Crusin Grand in Escondido twice which is not nearly enough.
I spent a very enjoyable morning walking the city of San Diego with my camera before meeting family at Petco Park for a Padre Game. It felt like being on vacation.
We celebrated my parents anniversary at the track. I spent some of my time taking pictures while the rest of the family picked ponies.
2016 was an exceptional year indeed.