Photography has been a lifelong passion, but since 2009, it’s become a money-sucking hobby—along with all the benefits that come with it. In 2015, I developed an addiction to aviation subjects—those massive, powerful birds in the sky. And when COVID hit, it taught me to push my boundaries and capture whatever subjects I could find. No day behind the camera is ever a bad day.

For me, photography is a continuous journey. I’ve missed countless shots, but each one has been a valuable lesson. Add to that the mistakes that somehow made it out of the camera, and you’ve got a rich learning experience. Just like a growing child, my approach has gone through phases—yes, at one point, I was into clown HDR.

I’ve also developed a fascination with the software post-processing side of photography. At least for now, I’m not interested in turning photos into graphic artistry. I prefer to focus on the main image and subject, and I’m especially intrigued by what AI will bring to the table—anything that helps focus on the subject, removes distractions like runway signs or random people, I’m all for.

To document my photography journey, I’ve been running a blog since 2010: [kurtpankopfphotography.blogspot.com](kurtpankopfphotography.blogspot.com) (with occasional long breaks between posts). Nothing gets deleted, it’s all there.

Looking toward the future, I’m excited about the next stage of life. With more time on my hands and the work grind soon coming to an end, I’ll have more opportunities to get out and explore. Aviation will always be my first love, but I plan to branch out—big birds, landscapes, and maybe even exploring the mysteries of IR (infrared) photography. Anything to get me out of the house.

And just to clarify—*Still NO WEDDINGS!*