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| Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River, Page, Arizona. (click to enlarge) |
I've posted this information a few times over the years but I think it is worth repeating. I hope you find it helpful. |
It is the end of the calendar year and there are several things I do at this time of year that you might find helpful to ensure your photographic success for next year. Here are my suggestions as to a few things you may want to check and consider as the new year arrives. You may have other things you do as well. If so, share them with us in the comments so we all can benefit.
1) Pull out all of your gear, make an inventory of it in case of loss or theft, check everything for good working order and clean your gear thoroughly.
2) There might have been firmware updates for your cameras and/or lenses (especially those Chinese and Korean lenses) that you missed. It is a good time to check the manufacturer's website and complete those updates so you now have the latest and best functionality.
3) You might want to also check and reformat all of your spare memory cards and charge all of your spare batteries as well.
4) Check and reset the internal clocks in all of your cameras to synchronize them. Camera clocks are notoriously inaccurate.
5) Check all your camera's settings and reset them to your default settings so the next time you pick it up, you know exactly how everything is set.
6) If your camera has the ability to program a group of settings, usually designated C1, C2, C3, etc., you may want to review those to make any changes to reflect your changing photographic needs or changing preferences you might have.
7) Change the copyright settings (also symbol) in your cameras if your cameras allow you to include copyright metadata and you use a specific year. Then make sure that the information is "enabled" or "attached" to each image file as they are created.
8) If you use Lightroom Classic, change your import metadata settings to reflect the new year's copyright. You might also want to check your IPTC data to ensure all of your personal information that will be attached to your image files is correct. This may apply to other editing software as well. I also create a new Lightroom export preset to reflect the new year. That way, I can include the year and copyright into the title of each photo I send to this blog, Instagram or otherwise publish. There then will be no question who is the owner and that your images are copyright protected.
9) It is also a great time of the year to thoroughly check your computer, run a complete virus scan, clean the registry of obsolete items, clean the trash/recycle bin of items, optimize or defragment your hard drives, etc. I hope you regularly back up all of your images and documents with at least one copy on-site and another off-site. If you don't now is a great time to do that as well.
1) Pull out all of your gear, make an inventory of it in case of loss or theft, check everything for good working order and clean your gear thoroughly.
2) There might have been firmware updates for your cameras and/or lenses (especially those Chinese and Korean lenses) that you missed. It is a good time to check the manufacturer's website and complete those updates so you now have the latest and best functionality.
4) Check and reset the internal clocks in all of your cameras to synchronize them. Camera clocks are notoriously inaccurate.
5) Check all your camera's settings and reset them to your default settings so the next time you pick it up, you know exactly how everything is set.
6) If your camera has the ability to program a group of settings, usually designated C1, C2, C3, etc., you may want to review those to make any changes to reflect your changing photographic needs or changing preferences you might have.
7) Change the copyright settings (also symbol) in your cameras if your cameras allow you to include copyright metadata and you use a specific year. Then make sure that the information is "enabled" or "attached" to each image file as they are created.
8) If you use Lightroom Classic, change your import metadata settings to reflect the new year's copyright. You might also want to check your IPTC data to ensure all of your personal information that will be attached to your image files is correct. This may apply to other editing software as well. I also create a new Lightroom export preset to reflect the new year. That way, I can include the year and copyright into the title of each photo I send to this blog, Instagram or otherwise publish. There then will be no question who is the owner and that your images are copyright protected.
9) It is also a great time of the year to thoroughly check your computer, run a complete virus scan, clean the registry of obsolete items, clean the trash/recycle bin of items, optimize or defragment your hard drives, etc. I hope you regularly back up all of your images and documents with at least one copy on-site and another off-site. If you don't now is a great time to do that as well.
Our computers are an integral part of our photo editing workflow and neglecting your virus software, recommended maintenance and/or backup of your files can be a recipe for disaster.
10) Lastly, but something I think is important. Take some time to thoroughly think through what you want to accomplish photographically for 2026. What is it that you want to photograph, where do you want to go, what new techniques do you want to learn, etc.?
10) Lastly, but something I think is important. Take some time to thoroughly think through what you want to accomplish photographically for 2026. What is it that you want to photograph, where do you want to go, what new techniques do you want to learn, etc.?
Now is the time to make plans and create a road map on how to accomplish your goals. Set some photographic goals for yourself then break them down into steps so you can incrementally achieve them, i.e., create a clear path forward. It's easier to start with the end in mind, then work your way backwards, step by step, to where you are now.
You may want to make a list of what gear you may need and don't already own to accomplish your photographic goals. You can save a bit of money if you know what you will need and wait until that gear is on sale. Most of the time different manufacturers put their gear on sale the same months year after year. That is when I typically have bought my gear. Today, I tend to buy manufacturer’s refurbished cameras and lenses or used lenses from KEH, MPB, B&H, Adorama or UsedPhotoPro. All are reputable and you may save enough money to buy an extra lens. You may also realize that there is gear you no longer use nor want. Selling gear that is no longer in use is a good way to offset the cost of new gear that you need.
11) Just one more. An important bonus suggestion. Do everything you can to have fun with your photography this year. This may be my most important suggestion. If you aren't having fun with your photography, then you are doing something wrong.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
All content on this blog is © 2013-2026 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.
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