Looking forward to 2026.
Over the past year, I have felt that I have made progress in many different areas of my photography. My trip to Puerto Rico in January is what jump-started most of that progress. I made some of my favorite images of the year in just that week. When I bought my xt-5 and first got my hands on it after the trip, I was scared shit-less. I thought I had made one of those purchases that you regret soon after, maybe because I thought I wouldn’t be able to use it properly, or that my images would stay the exact same. It did feel like that for a bit. It wasn’t until I started my final photography project for a class I was taking in the spring that got me out of that mindset.
Images from Puerto Rico. all shot on fujifilm x100.
The process of making the images for my orb project went through many trials. Originally, it wasn’t going to be orbs at all, rather beams of light projected through fog. I had gotten lasers and a portable fog machine and made a few test images that ultimately I disliked. The orbs were the 2nd idea I had and I had little time to be able to pull it off. After trying to make papier mache orbs, I went with painting plastic balls with black paint. The project was meant to represent a visitor to our world. The orb also allows the audience to take space within the image, like a placeholder telling you where your perspective should come from. I feel like some of the images translate that better than others, and give off a unique presence while remaining mostly empty. I am proud of the project and will most likely continue it in 2026, though I have no immediate plan to do so. I think I’ll try balloons this time.
My favorite image from the project. Corpse.
Fujifilm XT-5 Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2
Film was something I picked up in 2025. I had shot a handful of disposables before, but never used actual film in a 35mm or medium format camera. I had a Ricoh TF-500 Automatic that I picked up from a goodwill for $5. I put a battery in and was surprised to find it working. the thing is practically brand new with no scratches, and it even has the inspection sticker it would have after it came off the assembly line. This little thing is fun, though I wanted something I could control like my other cameras. I couldn’t decide on a 35mm camera and knew that, regardless of what I would end up getting, I would want to make the jump to medium format immediately. I caved and got myself a Mamiya 645 shipped in all the way from Japan. The shutter dial broke off in transit, but I am still able to operate the camera as intended. should probably get that fixed.
Mamiya 645 Sekor C 70mm f/2.8 - Kodak Gold 200
I am going to continue with film in 2026. I have already purchased over 10 rolls of 120 film that I need to start shooting through. I still shoot digital along side film, the workflow is nice. I can shoot as many bad photos as it takes to get the juices flowing, and then pull out the Mamiya. I’m starting to shoot less anyways, which is a good thing. Film makes me slow down and be more methodical, and so far I have been happy with my recent work both digital and film.
Fujifilm XT-5 and x100
I want 2026 to be a great year for my photography and I am confident that it will be. I am going to shoot more portraits. Maybe actually trying to make money for once. not really a maybe, I really want to make this work. 2026 is going to be the new 2016. Back then I was making photographs and videos with more confidence then I have now and I had only a fraction of the skill. I want to get that drive back. The last few years I have let life happen to me rather than go at it head on, I regret that.
I’ll be turning 26 soon. certified unc and pushing 30. Hard. I still feel young, maybe too young. I won’t let it get the best of me, though sometimes, that stupid childish mind of mine comes up with some pretty great ideas. We’ll see. It is time to flourish, put one foot in front of the other until I am where I want to be, no matter how long it takes.
and hopefully get out of this basement.
I don’t want to live in a hole anymore.
Cheers.
3 seasons.
