Near the end of 2008, I started to think about my photography project for 2009. Justin Korn basically wrote the same thing, wanting to collaborate with others.

We’ve chosen a theme:

For 2009, we came to the conclusion that we would discover and photograph our surrounding neighborhood(s). So, without further ado, I introduce to you the Photography Project for 2009 – 52 Weeks: My Surrounding Neighborhood(s).

My specific goals for the project will be to visit one neighborhood within San Francisco for 4 weeks straight. At the end of the 52 weeks, I will have published 4 images of 13 different San Francisco neighborhoods. Ideally each image will represent the neighborhood I am shooting, however the image can be of any subject within the specific neighborhood with no specific guidelines.

You can follow those involved with the project and I encourage anyone who is interested to join in as well via Tumblr and/or Flickr.

I’ll be around Los Angeles. If you’d like to join in, sign up!

Update 1/29/2009: I’m not going to revisit each neighborhood four weeks straight. (Example: If I go to Santa Monica one week, I’m not forcing myself to drive out there the following three weeks in a row.)

Brian Auer called me the other day about photowalking. We’re going to Newport Beach on Sunday, January 4th, 2009, around 1pm. Nothing formal, but we wanted to put the word out. (My phone number is on my contact page.)

Our band went from Phantom Scream to The Scarlet Paradigm by losing our singer, then finding a new one through Craigslist.

I’ve made lots of photography friends through Twitter, Flickr (specifically the Los Angeles group) and Photowalking.org (where it basically started at the end of last year).

I feel way more confident with my photography. Taking photos every day for the whole year helped immensely. Although it’s nothing to write home about, I’ve been able to monetize a little[1. Of course, that's the definition of an amateur.].

Wicked year, right?

*****

In a more detailed list format:

Photography

• In January, I upgraded from a point-and-shoot to a [used] Canon EOS Digital Rebel DSLR camera and committed to take one photo a day for 2008: A Year in Pictures. Five months later, I upgraded yet again to a Canon EOS 40D.
• My first paid event was a birthday party.
• I sold a few fine art prints.
• With the help of some photo passes, I also photographed a couple concerts (Finch and Rx Bandits) in front of the barricade.
• I hooked up Five Mile Town with a photo session because they love my photography. I also took some photos of them (from the stage) in concert.
• I went to Hawaii for my cousin’s graduation and vacation. While I was there, I took a little over 2,000 photos.
• I went to Las Vegas with Tobias specifically to take tons of photos.
• I had my first paid photo session with my coworker’s family. A few weeks later, I had another one with the help of Twitter.
• To wrap up the year, I was the second photographer in a wedding (thanks to Noel Besuzzi).

The band

• With the departure of Doc Bray and finding Chris Juede, Phantom Scream ceased and The Scarlet Paradigm took its place.
• After months of rehearsals, we had our first show for a New Year’s Eve party at AltPixel Studio. It was an awesome way to end the year.

Update 1/4/2009: Cody told me that I forgot to include going to Las Vegas just to take photos. My bad!

Until I get a post up about 2008, this will have to do. I’ll be jamming with The Scarlet Paradigm at AltPixel Studio for New Year’s Eve.

P.S. Have fun and be safe out there.