There are lots of oddball "events" - one for nearly every day of the year - conjured up by people with too much time on their hands. Things like National Bloody Mary Day, or Talk Like Shakespeare Day, or Balloons Around the World Day. 

But Quitter's Day? Apparently it's a thing, albeit a recent phenomenon, having bubbled up on social media (naturally) a few years ago. If you're in the dark just as I was, here's the deal: roughly 80% of the people who make New Year's resolutions abandon them by the second Friday in January, now christened Quitter's Day.

That would be tomorrow.

While I'm aware the failure rate for resolutions is significant, I had no idea the majority of those who ring in the new year pledging to change something or achieve a goal don't even make it two weeks before giving up. That's quitting at warp speed.

If you kicked off 2025 with some sort of aspiration, I hope you're able to stick with it. More power to you.

I'm not one for resolutions, but the idea of Quitter's Day sent my mind in a different direction. I thought about how easy it can be to walk away from your camera, especially this time of year and particularly if you live in an area where winters are harsh.

Maybe after all the preparations and activities and events associated with the holidays, you're feeling like spending a few weeks chilling out, doing as little as possible. Extracurricular diversions? No, thank you. 

Perhaps merely looking at the forecast makes you shiver. Sitting in front of the fire with a good book or three while deep winter sets in sounds like just the ticket.

It could simply be that your mind is on other things as you get back into the swing of your post-holiday routine.  

Whatever the reason, whether intentional or not, you take a break from photography. You don't mean for the camera to collect dust, but a week turns into a month, then two months, and suddenly it's spring and you realize you haven't made a photograph since December. 

Don't let this be you. 

We get rusty when we fall out of the photography habit. Skills atrophy: both technical and creative. I've been out in the field with people who stepped away from their cameras for too long and regretted it. Invariably they end up fumbling with their gear while trying to remember how to manipulate various controls; techniques are forgotten; their creative vision isn't as sharp. Frustration levels blow through the roof. The newer one is to photography, or to recently acquired gear, the more pronounced will be the decline.

The solution needn't be some sort of belated New Year's resolution involving your camera, and a 365 project is unnecessary. These sound to me like obligations (see above: Quitter's Day). After all, the point is not to quit! 

Instead, try this: keep your camera out where you can see it. If it's in plain sight, you won't forget about it. 

Simple, but surprisingly effective. 

Having your camera somewhere within easy reach will gently remind you to use it; to keep your head in the game; to continue to exercise your photographer's eye. Remember, you are surrounded by subject matter. You don't even have to go outside if you don't want to.

Point the camera out a window, or look for interesting objects around the house. Check out your utensil drawers. Open the fridge. Peruse bookshelves. Scan the garage.

Think creatively.  

The images you capture don't have to be keepers. You can use these opportunities to experiment with new techniques or to become more familiar with your equipment. 

Sessions need not be time-consuming. Spend as much or as little time as you have available.

If you opt to head outdoors, so much the better. Winter is a terrific season for nature and landscape photography. The light is low, shadows are long, the air is clear, and there are fewer people to contend with. Conditions during and after storms can be especially magnificent: falling snow, hoarfrost, ice, and fog.

When the roads are dicey, forget about the car. Explore what's within walking distance. You might not have to go any further than your own yard.

Whatever the subject matter and wherever it might be, keep shooting. Don't quit on your camera over the winter.

BASHFULAfter hiding behind dense fog following a temperature inversion, Grand Teton emerges into view. Its peak, decorated with fresh snow, shines as the sun breaks through and begins to light it. The pines form a shape which mimics that of the mountain.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

About the Photographs
I prefer to do my winter shooting outdoors. Since I'm fortunate to live near Grand Teton National Park, it's my location of first choice - though in the winter months it can be difficult to navigate. It gets very cold, snow is abundant, and access is limited. That said, it's beautiful (when is it not?) and well worth the effort.

The Grand here is a little bashful, although the fog behind which it has been hiding has mostly lifted. Its magnificent peak, decorated with fresh snow, shines brightly as the sun breaks through and begins to light it. I made this photograph following a temperature inversion which created a fabulous, opaque white curtain. Heavy morning fog in the Tetons can hang around for hours; photographers need to be patient.

If you'd rather steer clear of Old Man Winter, I am quite serious when I suggest there is no limit to what you can shoot from the comfort of your own home. For example, I've seen some interesting abstracts created using tableware as the subject matter. Here, I've shared an image from a series called Color My World. The elements used to make these photos are quite simple: sunlight and water. The only other items required are a table, food coloring, glassware (wine bottles, vases, glasses, etc.) and a location near a window. 

In Local News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday announced proposed revisions to grizzly bear protection and management. Bottom line: for the time being, the bears will continue to remain protected, while ceding more management authority to the states. This is certainly better than outright delisting, but it remains to be seen what the final outcome will be.

The ruling is temporary. A public comment period of 60-days will be forthcoming. Expect lawsuits from some or all of the states involved (MT, WY, ID, WA). They want the bears delisted. Period.

For now, though, a sigh of relief.

I'll keep you posted.

You can read more about the proposal here.