Better Late Than Never

Before I get on with my first rant in newsletter form, let's get some formality out of the way. I'm Jason Coward, a software architect based in Durango, Colorado. I make it a habit to balance my tech life by hiking and photographing things that capture my attention or imagination. This newsletter is an alternative to social media for sharing those images and experiences. I will send these periodically to highlight new content from my website. This will include new articles on photography topics or just sharing images I took on a recent walk in town or hike through the mountains, as well as when I release new portfolios. If this isn't for you or your inbox, you can unsubscribe with one click at the bottom of this email.

With that out of the way, for my first edition of Rhythmically, I am sharing the first article posted to my new website. You can read it on the site and access the full-resolution images HERE or by clicking on any of the images in this newsletter.

Have a fantastic Wednesday, and thank you for coming along on this new adventure.

The first big snowstorm of the season

Following a solid but brief cold snap after Thanksgiving, winter looked bleak here in Southwest Colorado. A weather forecaster that all the locals follow because the weather apps rarely accurately foretell what happens around here was confident we would see a strong snow season but that it would arrive later than usual. He was not wrong.

Better Late Than Never

As grateful as I am for this snowstorm, I'd like to focus momentarily on being thankful that you are here reading this. For several years, I have shared my passion for photographing the beauty of my surroundings on social media. And frankly, it was wearing me thin. The amount of time I had to spend composing and posting to all the various platforms, trying to find what worked best for each in their quirky way, was becoming too much. More than that, I wanted a central hub to share my work. A place where I had autonomy and ownership. Most importantly, a place where I am not distracted scrolling through short videos aimed at capturing my already short attention span, hot takes on things that ultimately do not matter, and whatever the latest cancel culture focus is on.

So, welcome to my new website and newsletter. I aim to write more than ever before and share my photography, myself, and the beauty around me regularly here. I have been putting this off for a while now. And like this recent storm, putting this out there now feels better late than never.

Intentions

I'm not clear on how everything will proceed from here. I am exploring possibilities for expressing myself here in new ways. I've long been keeping my thoughts bottled up for one reason or another. But I am done with that. Damn the torpedoes. I am moving full-steam ahead and bringing those of you who are interested along for the ride. It is time to live intentionally. To create intentionally. To build new habits by jumping in to the lifestyle I want and creating systems to reinforce my intentions every single day.

Getting Out There

Getting myself out into the world, both in figurative and literal terms, is the goal. I've always struggled with marketing myself, and it is time to change that. I want to share the beauty surrounding me through the strange, quirky little window I see it through. At least with those who want to see it. And I want to quit hesitating to take that walk, hike up the hill in the snow, or head out on the cross-country skis. With my camera. And without. Making new connections, feeling alive, and making the most of every day here. I know I'm not alone in these feelings. The modern world is like a weight pushing down on our chest, often stunting our ability to get out there.

It's all in the details

I've always been a detail-oriented person, usually to my detriment. But it is who I am, and I embrace it. I try now not to let my overthinking about said details cripple me in a sort of analysis paralysis. Still, even in my photography, I try to focus on the small things many overlook.

Thank you

I'm excited to be sharing this with you, and I hope if you made it this far, you at least enjoyed these images and words a little. If you did, stay tuned as I share the thoughts and photos I collect during my walks, hikes, and other excursions. Here is to making the most of every day.