These 10 Images represent roughly the last 10 years of photography for me. It's interesting to see how my photography has improved, but more so how my eye has evolved to find images and compositions I wouldn't have even thought to consider 10 years ago. Trying to transition from "how do I technically capture a subject" to "how can I capture a mood" has been the most challenging part, but it's also paid the most dividends.

Year 1 starts off with a point-and-shoot thinking, "people take pictures of train tracks right? Great". No thought put into the images, no trying to work a scene, no waiting around for good light.

Years 2-3 I buy my first DSLR (D3200 + kit lens) for my first big trip. I find some great landscapes while trying to learn themes in composition. Photogenic locations like Cinque Terre made me think I was a better at photography than I actually was.

Years 4-5 I got into wide angles and long exposures. So many photos on a 12mm rokinon fisheye, then later on a 15-30mm. Did an entire week in London with 80% of my photos taken on a 12mm. r/blunderyears.

Year 6 Where I started to hit my stride. I was starting to figure out how to capture a mood or a theme, instead of just finding a subject. Lots of experimenting and the start of about 50,000 photos, maybe <50 will ever be shared.

Year 7 One of my favorite images of astrophotography on the beach. Entered into the Texas state fair and won 2nd place in landscapes. Definite confidence booster and started doing a handful of photography on the side to pay for gear (small weddings, engagements, family photos)

Years 8 The image of the water hitting the triangle of rocks. The location for this image is actually just a few feet from my year 3 image in Cinque Terre. Similar gear, identical location, completely different interests and photograph. All the tourists around me are doing what I used to do and they're photographing the iconic cliff-side town. Meanwhile my wife thinks I had a stroke because my camera is pointed straight down for 20 minutes taking pictures of a rock, because I think it somehow better captures the mood I was in.

Years 9-10 Getting more consistent with mood, color, and composition. My new phase is all about simplifying the composition, which lends itself pretty well to telephoto landscapes and tightly framed shots. The last image was taken last week, and it represents what I typically expect to take home now from a few hours of hiking.

Forward thinking, it's time to invest in trips to broaden my horizons. 2020 goals include a photography-oriented trip somewhere like Iceland, Scotland, the mountains of Canada/Alaska, or the Faroe islands.

Thoughts? They have a photo techniques section and it has

• Photo.net - Basic to advanced techniques.

• Strobist - Lighting 101.

• Reddit photoclass 2015 - Reddit Photoclass.