True story, I started this post with some placeholder text of “blah blah blah” so I could go back and look at some of my recent yearly favorites posts to avoid being a repetitive idiot. After reviewing 2016-2018, I have some news for you – I think I can already check that box.
The fact is, post writing has been difficult this past year, writing in general actually. The old biological hard drive in my head is in need of some serious defragmentation. As much as I repeat in my head – post more, post more, post more – it is met with equal resistance of “that sucks” “that’s lame” and “who wants to waste time on that” – and “wait, there’s pizza?” I know I need to just plow through it and do it more, easier said than done.
One thing is without question. I am forever appreciative for those who visit here time and time again to leave a breadcrumb, like or a comment. Many have been doing this for more than a decade!! That is amazing to me, and it is really difficult to find any suitable words to express that gratitude.
Favorites
Since I have been doing this yearly thing since 2007, I have always wondered if my yearly favorites would have enough staying power to withstand the test of time and my own changing aesthetic whims. They have never been a “best of” because I rather hate that characterization.
For the most part, even with the emotional distance of time, many still hold a special appeal to me. I would guess about a 25% or less fallout if I had to repick favorites from any of those years, but there would be some.
And as I wrote in 2009, photographs can be a lot like music. Some songs remain favorites no matter how many times you listen to them. Others fade away in relevance.
This year my picks seem to be clustered in time periods; Feb-March, May, and October. What happened all the rest of the year? Well, I produced a lot of crap. There is one good thing about not producing a lot worth showing in a year, it makes picking “favorites” a rather simple process. 🙂
And with that, it seems I subjected you to “blah blah blah” after-all, so I’d better get to it for 2019 picks…
(from the collection: Nature Details • Patterns • Fragments)
Frozen Raindrop on leaf
A Winter ice storm hit us in Feb 2019 and created the rare treat of some frozen raindrops. A frozen raindrop also made it into my very first collection of favorites back in 2007. They are typically the result of pure luck in having a lot of factors align; having the right mix of weather conditions, having the opportunity to seek them out, and being able to find a decent photograph before they melt (which they tend to do quickly). A fleeting state of one of the most precious elements of the universe, and one we often take for granted.
Frozen Lake Twilight II – Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair is increasingly unpredictable during winter. It has been my go-to place for some unique winter landscape photography for more than a decade. Even if winter seems to get a “slow start” there, it always serves up some unique compositional elements to play with. And of course, winter twilight in Michigan is unbeatable.
Ice stacks at civil twilight
Wow, yet another lake ice photo – surprise, surprise. Again, changing ice conditions on Lake St. Clair, combined with opportunities for good light and an uncluttered horizon create the potential for some occasional keepers. I will also remember this particular day as I left with a very wet and cold foot. A patch of ice not too far from this spot was not as thick as I thought. I normally will not even chance to go this close to an open water area, which is just the other side of the ice ridge here. But, I could easily see the bottom, estimating only about a foot deep. Turns out I got to use my leg as a dipstick to verify that.
Sun rising over ice stacks and bubbles
Hello, my name is Mark, and I am an iceaholic. There! I got it off my chest, so you don’t have to raise your eyebrows at my lack of variety thus far in my 2019 picks. It’s a problem and I’m dealing with it. Did someone mention bubbles though? Look at the pretty bubbles.
Royal Crane Family (adopted Canada gosling)
The spring of 2019 brought some wildlife celebrity news to our little neck of Southeast Michigan. Nesting sandhill cranes are well-established at Kensington Metropark, to the point of becoming habituated to humans being around on the nature trails. But the big news was when a particular Sandhill family adopted a lone Canada Goose gosling. They raised it to maturity over a few months as paparazzi and watched and cooed, surprisingly unfazed by the attention.
Sadly, in the match never meant to be, the nearly-grown goose was found fatally injured later in early summer. I never obtained any stellar photographs of the family but wanted to include at least one in memoriam of this little one that captured the hearts of so many cheering for its survival under very unique circumstances.
Bevy of Mute Swans in Fog
I was out at Kensington Metropark this year quite a few times in attempts to photograph the Royal Crane family. With that brought other wildlife opportunities that are always present at this gem of the Metro-Detroit area. As I was waiting for the morning fog to burn off and the cranes to start their daily routine, I was fortunate to witness this composition unfold before me. Despite animosity towards this species as being introduced invaders, it still made for a pleasing photograph overall.
The Seed and Shadow
It is somewhat hard to describe what is going on in this photograph if you aren’t a resident of the area or knowledgeable about the Nordin Brothers and their large metal artwork in the Detroit area. There is no better way to tell the history of its creation than the short film they made about it. On this particular Autumn day out exploring, I wanted to see it from a unique perspective. The result ended up being a unique piece of visual art in itself, bringing together the elements of nature it is meant to celebrate, and the contribution of public art in place-making.
Autumn Cocktail Party
I am fortunate to have this nature preserve close to home. There are no trails. It is rather isolated by surrounding development and highways, but nonetheless a preserved area. Given a large section of it is a wetland, it isn’t easily accessible by foot even if you wanted it to. One day while exploring by air, I saw this cluster of trees surrounded by wetlands in their autumn glory. For some reason, my imagination went wild and pictured a cocktail party going on, with a cluster of distinguished guests.
Autumn Forest Spirits
In playing with some intentional camera movement (ICM), I found the dappled light coming from these backlit trees give the impression of “spirits rising from the leaves.” (No, I was not drinking at the time – only drunk on nature 🙂 )
Flotsam and Jetsam
Perhaps no better way to conclude my picks for the year than an image with a title that probably matches the fragmentation in my head. Little bits drifting with the current one minute, and the wind the next. Somehow, I saw a bit of order in this chaos, or maybe it was a deep signal wanting to figure out other things.
That’s it for me. If you made it this far, thanks for reading a bit behind some of these photographs. I wish you a healthy, creative, and peaceful 2020. Leave me a note, a breadcrumb, a like below with your thoughts. You can use the “comment-luv” feature to link to your own year summary if you choose. And don’t forget to pay a little attention to the list of all lists that Jim Goldstein puts out with all these yearly summaries here. (archive)
If you want to be notified of updates to this blog, you can subscribe below and find out if I really do get my writing up to pace this year. I know the suspense will be hard to deal with, but you can handle it! As always, I consider any funny business with your email address just plain rude – it is private.
Hey Mark,
I love the backstories you shared. The gosling and his family touched my heart. I hope your walk home with frozen foot was not too long! Although, I’m slow in my reading I always look forward to your posts. Your photography is quite awe inspiring to me. You capture a wonderful ethereal quality that encourages my imagination to soar. Those twilight ice sunsets! Stunning, I understand why you’re an iceaholic!
Take care, suzanne
Suzanne – I do appreciate the moment of your time. I can’t imagine how many sites you follow or the time to keep up with them, but I am glad you chose to stop by here.
No worries on the frozen foot, it happens, no lasting damage except in my memory. Thank you for the kind words as always. If I can spark someone’s imagination, that is about as good a compliment as one can get!!
You had a very good year, Mark. Based on what you said, your journey this last year was a perfect example of the old saying that if you want to produce outstanding work, you have to make a lot of junk first. If you had some bad months, the good stuff you’ve posted here, in my opinion, more than makes up for it. I like Flotsam and Jetsam best, with Autumn Forest Spirits and the Swans tied for second. Happy New Year!
I can relate to that old saying – even wrote an article about it some years back ( https://www.grafphoto.com/2008/06/29/embracing-failure/ ). Thanks for the kind remarks David.
This is a beautiful collection, Mark! The Swans and Stoney Creek are standouts for me. I agree that looking back over the year at past favorites is an interesting exercise to see which images have stood the test of time. Wishing you all the best in 2020!
Thanks Russ!
Absolutely beautiful collection for the year, Mark. Such a great range of subjects, and I loved each of the ice photos, as well. 🙂 I enjoyed the fascinating story about the gosling and the cranes. It’s interesting how that sometimes happens. I wish you a great 202.
Thanks Tom!
I am late to this party and just gonna say “Wow” on your favorites! Nor am I going to try and select a favorite but enjoyed each one of them. And, yes I could also use some defragging on my noggin, also.
I do not see any problem with you as an Iceaholic but there if the wife says something I would suggest looking for some rehab center near that get you into a 28 day program.
Hehe, thanks Monte. Thanks for the tweet also.
An excellent collection of images. As a fellow iceaholic, I don’t tire of the frozen stuff. The ice drop is super, so are the Lake St Clair photographs.
Thanks a lot Tom. Here’s to the ice! 🙂
A lovely and unique collection of photos, Mark. Flotsam and Jetsam is my absolute favorite. I am always on the look for such puddles but do not think I have come across such a nice mix myself.
Thanks so much Sarah. Kinda strange on the puddles right? Some are more attractive “clutter” than others.
A truly lovely, inspirational and emotive set of images. Your iceaholism is much appreciated by me right now as our summer gets into full swing. Your ice photos have a much appreciated cooling effect. Please don’t go to rehab. The forest spirit is especially timely as on new year’s eve, I took my camera (the first time in many months) on a walk through a nearby national park (one unaffected by the recent fires) and made a few shots similar to yours. To be clear, when I say ‘similar’, I mean similar in technique only. Aesthetically speaking however, hmm, not so much 🙂
The Flotsam and Jetsam looks to me like the aftermath of the Autumn Cocktail Party, you know, after all the trees have left to go home 😉 Both of these pictures are exceptionally pleasing, and not only to my eyes but also to my imagination.
My favourite is Bevy of Mute Swans in Fog. I am truly happy that you didn’t “f$&@” it up. True, had you failed to capture it as you did, I would not be the wiser as to what I would have missed out on, but having seen it, I know how much the richer I am for having set eyes on it.
All the best for the coming year Mark and thanks for your continuing generosity of sharing your work with us.
I have been thinking about you and your fellow Aussies a lot lately. News of the fires, the estimates of wildlife lost, mass exits – absolutely horrible. I hope you and your family are in safe areas.
Awesome news on blowing the dust off that camera! Next step – resurrect Plop! 😉 (no pressure) I love your interpretation of Flotsam and Jetsam – it absolutely does look like the aftermath of the cocktail party LOL! It is going to be hard for me to think of it as anything else now. Somehow nature’s mess seems so much more elegant than our own. As always Cedric, thank you for your thoughtful and generous comments. Looking forward to seeing more of them – maybe in post form (no pressure).
We’re fine where we are, Mark. Thanks for thinking of us. The fires are mostly down south from where we live, with the worst ones being in the state of Victoria which is around 800 miles away. We do have friends who have had to evacuate their homes which is saddening. though, as yet, they haven’t lost their homes, fingers crossed. There is little sign of these fires letting up unfortunately so we may be setting new records, just not the kind anyone wants to set. The blame game has already started of course, with the Prime Minister bearing the brunt of it but environmentalist probably getting the most hate and criticism. Of course all this finger pointing does not help the matter in any way but people have to find ways to vent their anger when confronted with so much devastation while feeling overwhelmingly useless and in many cases, feeling lost in hopelessness.
Please don’t feel so badly about the writing bit – I like your writing style very much. It’s sincere, and your biological hard drive needing a defrag, and the idea about photos being like music in terms of their staying power – both are clever ideas. I appreciate what you said about water being such a precious element – and wow, what an image! All the Lake St. Clair images are gorgeous – it pays to know a place well! Those swans – white on white – I love the minimalism there. And the little gosling with the cranes is sweet. And Flotsam and Jetsam may be my favorite of all. Perfection, so elegant! If you feel you’re in something of a funk, I sure hope the feeling changes, but from what I see, the juices are still flowing. Happy 2020! 🙂
Much appreciated Lynn. Thanks for the encouragement!!
Wow! Just an incredible collection of natural beauty. I was not at any time thinking, ‘too many ice photos’, as down here in San Diego we don’t see much of it. A really beautiful set and I hope you have equal success and pleasure in 2020.
Thanks Joe!! Back at ya for 2020.
Very nice summary of your year’s efforts, Mark. The frozen lake photos are always a treat, as we don’t have anything like it here in the southeast and you always seem to find the right time to be there. If forced to choose a favorite I would probably opt for the simplicity of the “Flotsam & Jetsam,” although “Autumn Cocktail Party” would run a close second due to the unique point of view and beautiful colors.
I love the “story” that you include with each photo as well. It is enough to describe the where and the why of each photo, which makes them even more easy to appreciate.
Looking forward to more of your work in 2020!
Part of the reason I do like blogging is it gives you a chance to tell a little more about what went into photos. Thanks for letting me know your thoughts Tom. Best to you for 2020.
I always savor your images. The frozen raindrop is breathtaking~ I am absolutely bowled over by it. Just look at that saturated color, and the incredible frozen drop itself. Mmmm.
Like you, I’ve noticed my best work seems to come from the both ends of the year, and not so much the middle. Is it the green, or am I just so busy enjoying it that I’m failing to find good compositions? Something for me to work on.
Your posts are so much fun~would love more 🙂
Thanks so much Melissa. I do think the green has something to do with it, not that there is anything wrong with the color itself. 🙂 Maybe I am drawn to the dynamic conditions as the seasons change vs. when they reach a “stasis” of sorts, lacking contrast. I am sure there is some psychological reason that I am not qualified to answer.
Sounds good to me Mark!
Mark, as usual, a wonderful collection of images that each in its own way reflects the care and attention to detail you apply to your photography. I’ll always enjoy your beautiful winter ice on Lake St. Clair photographs but “Autumn Cocktail Party” and “…Swans in Fog” may have edged them out in my mind this year. Thanks for sharing and best wishes for 2020!
I appreciate the kind words Earl. Those two you picked also rank up there with me personally. I remember telling myself when the swan situation was unfolding “don’t f$&@ this up…”
Good self-talk, Mark, cause you certainly didn’t! 🙂
These are outstanding images Mark. Very thoughtful compositions. Each of them !
Thanks so much Shikha!
These are wonderful, Mark! The swans in the fog has a dreamlike feeling, and the seed and shadow is disorienting at first, and so beautiful with more study. What an interesting story about the gosling, but how sad to hear its ending. I agree with your sentiments about looking at the old lists. It’s interesting to see what favorites remain, and which would easily be replaced by others. The analogy to favorite songs is spot on. There are some of my older images that put me right back in a treasured moment that I can’t forget, and others that I’ve lost that connection to over the years. Thanks for sharing your year, and all the best to you in 2020!
How great to hear from you Pat! And thank you for your thoughtful remarks. I’m glad some of it made sense. Sometimes I reread it and it sounds like a lot of babbling.
Beautiful selection, Mark. “Autumn Cocktail Party” gives me pangs of desire 😛 for a drone – what a great image! I had to chuckle about the caption for the LR screenshot as well – I feel the same way about my own discipline sometimes… 😉 All the best for 2020, Mark!
Thank you Alex. I have seen hints of your LR organization, and can be certain it is in a league well above mine for sure. As far as the drone, I know a lot of people hate them with a passion – and it is understandable. I do try to operate mine in a way to not be a nuisance. The unique perspectives they open up certainly make them a great tool to use on occasion.
They are all truly wonderful images. In looking at them what strikes me is (other than the Mute Swans, which is beautiful in a different way in its own right) is that they all pull you in with extraordinary color (which sets a mood) and graphic shapes. They will likely be able to be called up as faves another decade from now. Thanks for sharing them again!
Thank you very much Howard. We shall see how they hold up. Who knows? In a decade maybe all this 2D, non-VR imagery will be like looking at 35mm slides. Who wants to go to the effort of looking at those now?
Hey, you can’t hang VR imagery on a wall….I think we will still have prints. Unless of corse everything is digital frames with rotating images. Or maybe 3D holograms projected into our new art spaces which are no longer walls. I guess we will have to wait and see.
I see those digital wall frames and think what a waste of energy and resources. Better to have our bionic VR contact lenses where we just create illusions of art on the walls. 🙂