Have you noticed that pretty much every photographer publishes a “best-of” list at the end of each year? Hmm…not sure if I want to continue to cooperate on this. I never feel good about doing things that seem expected; just my personality. So I’ll do my own variation on the theme. I’ll post three of my favorites for the year. Not 10, and certainly not 15.
But here’s the hitch: if you have other ideas on the matter, images of mine that you’ve seen either here on the blog or on my website, by all means let me know and I’ll post them. They will appear with your name in upcoming Single-image Sunday or Wordless Wednesday posts. Just comment on this post with the link to the shot or describe it using its title/caption.
I love this first one for the exceedingly brief moment it represents, and the way it tells a story about the battle between storm and mountain range. The placid pasture with grazing cattle is just the sort of contrast that a story-telling image is made stronger for.
Knocking on the Door: An April snowstorm breaks over the Sierra Nevada in California.
I’m fond of this next one not only because I almost didn’t get up it was so windy and cold, but it’s one of my rare “planned shots”. I have been wanting to get a well-balanced shot of this barn and homestead in nice light for quite a long time. Also, the horse being outside on a very chilly dawn made me think it was meant to be.
The Old Gifford Place: An historic homestead lies beneath the cliffs of Capitol Reef in Utah.
I like last one a lot because while the sky is not overly colorful, it’s amazing the way sunlight can be aimed as a powerful beam when it is squeezed between cloud and landscape. And when that light is collected on a simple hillside of quaking aspen, where I had just barely reached an opening in the forest, it can turn your whole world golden.
Happy New Year everyone!
Golden light floods into a grove of quaking aspen in Colorado’s Cimarron Mountains.
All your work is awesome
3 great photos.
I love them like I like most of your great nature photos.
I’m looking forward to follow your work in 2016 – Happy New Year!
I can promise you that we don’t mind having another look at your beautiful images, Michael, and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2016. Happy New Year!
Thanks Dries, and Happy New Year!
Those are three superb images. I think I am partial to the top one – so much depth and color. Awesome shots.
Thank you Jeff. I’m partial to that one too!
Three golden shots for the year works for me. But what are you going to do next year??
Thanks Lyle, and that is a question I’ve been pondering. I only have one more night to sleep on it too! What are you going to do?
Oh I’ll probably keep doing what I do unless I get inspiration for something else.
No instant inspiration on New Year’s Eve? What you do is worth doing more of!
I remember that second shot, the horse and barn and remember that I wanted to stay camped out in it, it is that beautiful. i still feel that way!
Thanks so much Emilio. Camped out in the barn? That would be fun. Have you ever stayed in that campground that’s only a few steps away?
Well, to be honest, I hate camping ever since we camped out one winter in Yosemite without a shower for 5 days. Not the most comfortable of conditions! But still, that image is beautiful!
Thank you for letting us view such wonderful photos! I hope you’ll continue to do so in the future. In the meantime, have a Happy New Year!
Thanks a bunch for being a viewer! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Annette, have a Happy New Year!