I’ve been a casual photographer for much of my life. I remember receiving a 110 film camera around age 3 or 4, and going through roll after roll of film. I have some vague memories of getting up close and personal with my subjects (read: family), and then feeling equally puzzled and excited for how the film would magically turn into photos.

These days I mostly stick to my mobile phone. After all, the best camera is the one you have on you. But when I’m feeling intentional, I’ll carry my Fujifilm X-E3 with me. It’s a great piece of kit, and I’m almost always shooting with the tack-sharp Fujinon XF23mm f/2 lens.

Here are a few of the photos I’ve taken during periods of fleeting seriousness. None of my photography is particularly good, but I have some excellent memories tied to the images below. I’ll post more as I dig them up, but here are a few at least to keep this page from being blank.

2013

Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii by Nam Jun Paik. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. - One of my favorite parts of living (briefly) in Washington D.C. was the access to many amazing museums and galleries. This was one of my favorite installations to view and I would try to see it weekly. I really enjoyed sitting nearby and watching the CRT screens reflect back the neon glow as they cycled through their synchronized media. At a distance, this work is an electrified depiction of our country’s states. Up close, it’s a fascinating presentation of technology I last saw as a child.

Pigeons at the Howard University Campus, Washington D.C. - When I lived in D.C. I lived very close to Howard University. I really enjoyed exploring the campus and seeing what new places I could stumble on. I like the geometry and colors in this one.

Walking Home in Columbia Heights, Washington D.C. - One of my favorite things to do is people watch. I’ve always wanted to get into street photography, but I’m too shy to inject myself in a stranger’s business. Still, I’ve caught a few passing moments of people’s lives that I find interesting, or at least visually pleasing.

2019

Woody Pass, Washington - Taken on my last night of the Pacific Crest Trail. I remember seeing the light fade with every switchback down (and then up). This isn’t technically the last pass of a northbound hike, but it’s where I slept last on the PCT. As the days since completing have turned to weeks and months and years, I remember less and less about the trail. I’ve forgotten all of the aches and pains I was experiencing at the end of the trail. I’ve forgotten the muscle memory I used to setup camp at night and pack my things the following morning. I’ve forgotten the taste of my thousandth toaster pastry, or which energy bars didn’t make me gag. But I remember meeting a friendly father and son at this campsite. I remember the color of the sky as I drifted to sleep. I remember counting down the steps until my last climb. I remember being in love with the simplicity of that world.