As 2019 winds to a a close, I have been reflecting on the year that was and on the many adventures I took both near and far. I’ve downloaded my “top nine” photos from Instagram, but find social media to be a funny place when it comes to what gets the love. So here are my personal top pics from the year.
Overall Favorite - Sunrise at Kirkjufell (above)
This is where Instagram and I agree. I personally feel this is one of my best images this year and it is also the most loved on social media. It was taken in early May during my first frigid sunrise in Iceland. This is one of the most photographed locations in the world, and its easy to see why. I was brimming with excitement as the sun began to rise above the horizon and I was the lone photographer there to capture the unique color of that morning. I went for a wider shot than what you typically see to include the sun and the lake on the edge of the mountain. It was a great first morning on this big adventure.
Favorite Waterfall - The Close of Estatoe
Considering how many epic waterfalls I saw in Iceland, you would think one of those would be my favorites, but this backyard beauty that I’ve photographed many times before takes the prize. There is something to be said about returning to the same location over and over to get the right lighting and to explore new compositions. I like the leading lines of the log and small falls up to the top of the image where the light was hitting just right. This location is now closed to public unfortunately. I’m glad I was able to catch it one last time.
Favorite Night Sky Image - Price Lake Reflection
I’ve been chasing these conditions at this location for a couple of years now and was finally able to get up near Boone on a clear summer night with no wind to capture the stars and their reflections in the lake. I was amazed out how well I could see the Milky Way with my naked eye. Although I didn’t get out to do as much astrophotography this year as I would have liked, this night made up for the lack of quantity with quality conditions. I also like the fire at the campsite over in the right side of the image.
Favorite Sunrise - Jim’s Mountain
This trip up to Grassy Ridge with the rest of the Jim’s Mountain Crew was so needed for me. Spending time in nature with a group of other photogs who all share the same passion filled my cup back up and reignited my desire to get out and shoot. I had spotted this composition the night before and new I wanted to shoot it at sunrise. When I opened my tent up the sky was already catching fire so I quickly scrambled down the hill to this spot. =
Favorite Sunset - Craggy Pinnacle
I caught a few blazing sunsets in 2019. Just a few. It seems the sky likes to light up when I’m driving home from work more than when I’m out on the trail. But that’s how it goes with landscape photography. You have to keep getting out there time and time again to catch the right light. There were many hours spent at dawn and dusk where the light never showed. But when it does like this one did at Craggy Pinnacle it makes it all worthwhile.
Favorite Self Portrait - Storm at Stokkness
Stokkness in Iceland is such an epic location and was one of the spots I was most excited about visiting. There have been so many amazing photos taken here that I was sure I would capture something spectacular. Unfortunately the afternoon I got here the conditions were really flat and I was struggling to get a good composition. I hoped for better conditions the next morning but woke to snow and thick clouds. After an hour of freezing my hands and my hands getting too cold to operate my camera I was about to give up. This is the last shot I took before jumping into the warmth of the camper. I get cold just looking at this photo but it has some personal significance for me as a symbol of perseverance.
The Journey Continues
2019 was full of adventure. In photographic terms there was some bright highlights and some deep dark shadows but I am excited about how far I’ve come as an artist and I look forward to sharing my vision for many years to come!
Thanks for your support!
Jeff