I find it somewhat difficult to write about 2017 as I feel it is something we already have too much of. The negativity, loss of hope, and the crazy news cycles makes you want to tune out. Is it so frequent now that our response is simply an emoji reaction so we can move on to the next distraction? Even though this post is about photographs from the year, I would be in denial if I said all this crazy stuff going on didn’t have some impact on my creativity and motivation.
I suppose it is just in our nature to begin to avoid negative feelings when it becomes too overwhelming, even if we are trying to channel it into some type of art. In a year of so much external stimuli around us, perhaps 2018 is a time, more than ever, to refocus inward. After all, it really is the ONLY aspect of our lives under our control.
Despite our environment being under constant threat, despite the many species having their very existence on tipping points, there is something that just causes life to move forward. It moves forward regardless, until it no longer can. This is just one tiny blue dot in a vast universe where we are still in our infancy of comprehension. Any particular year or sequence of events is really quite minuscule in comparison, or perhaps it is just the starting point for a larger sequence. Time, as that crazy-haired guy used to say, is relative.
I wonder the same things when looking back at photographs from the year. Is one particular image just a reflection of that moment and state of mind, or is it a catalyst for more to come? Does it exist in isolation, or is it part of some arching continuum? Perhaps one year’s time isn’t even enough to comprehend such questions, or perhaps all of this is just mental jibber-jabber. All I can say is I just go with my gut on picking out favorites from the year. I may not have any grand explanations for you on why, because I am just trying to understand it myself.
So with that, here are some moments from my 2017. This is now my 11th year in recording such a list. Feel free to explore the previous years or comment below on your own thoughts about how to interpret 2017. As you can see, I need some help getting my head around it. 🙂
In no particular order of significance (or insignificance for that matter) …
New Year’s Day 2017
A strange start to last year with turbulent open water, not much ice, and gunfire
A strange morning with a lot of open water, gunfire, and a turbulent bay created what would set the tone for the year.
Ice Bubbles
Is a moment frozen in time truly static?
Lake St. Clair Sunrise
Yes, there was a bit of light this morning
Spring Peeping
The Clinton River Watershed begins it’s spring awakening
Drifter
At the edge of freedom
Dunerise
A new day begins to form
Dune Dragon
Part of a new, ongoing series I started, where this particular shot was a catalyst – start with Part One to read some of the back story.
The Dune Dragon Yazi will rely on its combination of wolf and dragon instincts to fuel his aggressive nature.
Clinton River
Fall beauty on the Clinton River – a waterway where water quality continues to be under threat due to human fallacy and greed, yet can show beauty of the area
Exploring in the Pines
Exploring in the Pines, Shelby Township, Michigan
Recycling Life
Returning back into the Earth to begin again
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed this look back into 2017. Be sure to visit Jim Goldstein’s site where a collection of many 2017 favorites from a variety of photographers can be found. Also, I am deep, deep, deep into a complete redesign of my website. So deep, sometimes I wonder if I will ever surface from it. I have a tendency to constantly tweak. It’s about 50% done. If you wish to receive the “rebirth” announcement, please sign up for my newsletter below. My best wishes to you for 2018!
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I agree with you Mark. It’s hard to stay focused with all the news but on the other hand there is still plenty of great things to photograph like you have done here. I love the icescapes in particular. We don’t get much of that in California obviously.
It is unthinkable to me that a powerful group of humans care not at all about our precious, beautiful earth. It is hard to know what to think as we move inexorably on, and so I often choose not to think. It would be overwhelming to feel an appropriate response to what is happening, and so I go numb. The photos you share, though, are a comfort. keep them coming, and I’ll keep painting, because we must.
Indeed Melissa, we must. Thank you for the thoughtful comments. While maybe many people will voice that they care, what they are willing to do or sacrifice varies greatly. That is, until something impacts them directly.
This is a wonderful collection of images, Mark. The intimate earth details are particularly stunning. Last year was a difficult period on so many levels, but I’m hopeful that 2018 will be a vast improvement!
Wishing you good light and good health in the months ahead. Cheers, Russ
Much appreciated Russ and I wish you the best for this year as well.
Strong and thoughtful and quiet. ?
Thank you Suzanne!
Outstanding selection of images Mark! Recycling Life is my favorite, although they are all wonderful. Keep up the good work in 2018. And don’t forget to stay positive, hopefully the darkness we are all enduring through won’t last long!
Thanks Alan, Best to you as well
Mark, I hear you about the news. It did have an impact on me. I avoided FaceBook at lot. Anyway, let’s hope for a better year. I love your images you took last year. The intimates really speak to me. Well done!
A lot of people seems to be in the same frame of mind in avoiding FB. It can become a source of stress. Thank you for your comments.
I enjoyed your musings here – the commentary on what an intense year 2017 was, the noting of threats to our precious blue dot, and particularly, the step back into a broader perspective. The photographs are beautiful – best of luck with the dine dragon project, and may the redesign go smoothly.
Thank you Lynn
Mark,
Excellent selections as always, beautiful and inspiring. Hope 2018 continues to be an incredible year for photography.
Thanks much Derrald!
Once again Mark you’ve outdone yourself. An impressive body of work. Tough to choose a favorite, but Ice Bubbles and Recycling Life are particularly nice. Thanks for taking part once again in my Best Photos of 20XX blog project. I hope you have a great 2018.
Thanks so much Jim, and for continuing to compile your list with your busy schedule.
Excellent set, Mark. Love the title. Love how you push the limits of what is possible, what is different. I would say you are the master of near and close-up images, but your big views of the lakes are wonderful too. My favorites are the dunes and “At the Edge of Freedom.”
Thanks a lot David. I’m glad you stopped by to have a look.
You have presented a fine portfolio for us to choose from. Even though the year may have been of “Despair and Dragons” your work looks like ‘hope and triumph.’ Asking us to pick a favorite is almost impossible since they are all excellent. I hope that I am never asked ‘why?’ it was my choice, but I am going with ‘DUNERISE.’ Could not keep my eyes off of it.
Thanks so much George! No worries to pick a favorite among them, not a requirement. 🙂 Glad you stopped by and enjoyed the look.
Breathtaking images and I’m coming to expect that from you. Dunerise and the Bubbles were the images that grabbed me on the first pass. We’ll see what calls me when I look at them again later. My hope is for your 2018 to be a great year in spite of the craziness going on. For me you said it well with this line, “…perhaps 2018 is a time, more than ever, to refocus inward.” I also have noticed my creativity has focused more on my journaling rather than my photography, which could be our present craziness.
Appreciate the vote of confidence Monte. It is interesting the way people channel what is going on into something productive, I hope I can maintain that inward focus, even if it means dreaming of dragons, and ultimate swallowing of the sun! 🙂
It’s nice to see you back in the blogging game Mark.
I like the mystical and surreal quality of the ice bubbles shot. Real nice.
I wish you all the best with 2018 and good luck with the redesign. I don’t envy you with that 😉
Thanks for visiting Cedric. I am getting back into it.
The ice bubbles is my favorite, but love them all! O, and the top one
Thanks Ron!
Fine images, as always. The Dunerise is the one I love best in this group. The contrast in Ice bubbles is eye-catching as well. Maybe I’ll finally redesign my website this winter, long overdue.
I have been holding off on mine for such a long time. It is such a daunting task. But with mobile responsiveness impacting search so much (and more in 2018), it’s long overdue for me as well. Thanks Tom.
I hope your redesign will somehow let me give you Likes. I don’t always have anything to say except “These are beautiful photographs,” which they are. This time I also appreciate your narrative and links. This year has got to be better.
Unfortunately, my redesign is going on completely within WordPress. So if it is not working here for you, I don’t think it will change. I have received them on other posts, so I don’t know if it is something related to browsers, Jetpack, or specific to my own site. Thanks though Linda.
Nice work here, Mark. Your photos show a nice sense of progression and consistency that I find inspriring. Regarding the news, I find that it is my reaction to the news that troubles me, more than the news itself. It may be somewhat selfish, but ignoring anything that doesn’t directly impact me allows me to focus on things that are positive.
That’s the thing, it is hard for me to separate myself from a lot of it. Thanks though Tom for the nice remarks on the photos.
Hey Mark
These are really cool. Your selections have a really neat consistency that make a great essay here.
Dune Dungeon is just awesome but Recycling Life is my favorite. That’s just awesome.
Thanks for kind comments Carl. Happy New Year.
BTW – Dune Dungeon, is that from that game Dunes and Dragons? 🙂
A beautiful selection of images. I love the rich color tones in your photographs and the unusual sights you’re showing me. Keep up the good work, and all the best for 2018!
Thanks Alex.
You’re best of the year images are always spectacular and inspiring. Let’s hope that the news cycles improve in 2018. There is a chance….
They do say people that don’t listen to the news are generally happier! 🙂 thanks Howard.