This is my 10th collection highlighting some images from the past year. For as fast as time seems to pass, looking back on 10 years of favorites seems to bring up a lot of moments that seem so, so long ago. This 10th set carries some simple themes that I visit often. Three subjects that I am continually developing my “vision” for: Leaves, Stone, and Ice.
This past year I developed my Texture Mosaics series. A couple of them made it into my favorites. I have also refined the developing on my leaf photographs to portray how I view the symbiotic relationship between them, light, and the chaotic, cyclic return to the Earth. My stonescapes continue to explore the visual and geological connection between these abstract, ancient landscapes no larger than an inch, and how similar they are to views from space.
A special shoutout to Jim Goldstein who manages to fit time in his busy life taming young creatures (that I can only assume behave like angels all the time) to compile a TON of these yearly reflections every year —-> Call for Entries Post | 2016 Results Post (link to be filled in when published)
If you are interested in all previous years, you can visit them under this tag: Yearly Favorites
I appreciate the investment in my work and comments/likes/shares/support over the past year. Wishing you good health and peace in 2017!
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Nature photos for 2016
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- Sycamore and Swamp Oak Leaves, South Clinton River Park, Macomb County, Michigan #LE-10053
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- Crimson Maple Leaves, my backyard, Michigan #LE-10041
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- Fern leaf mosaic #PL-10050
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- Fire Koroit Boulder Agate, a stone that originates in Australia. I kept seeing a stone face in this one! #RO-10049
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- Desert Mountain Jasper | I kept seeing a rose within this piece, surrounded by violent forces forming the Earth #RO-10051
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- Echeveria Succulent plant with center rain drop #FL-10013
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- Dandelion Seed Mosaic #FL-10020
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- Sassafras leaves and sunburst, Clinton River park, Sterling Heights, MI #FC-10032
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- Shoreline rocks and melting lake ice, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Michigan # WI-9995
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- Autumn Light over the Clinton River, Utica, Michigan | # FC-10035
Very creative Mark. It is good to break out from the traditional nature photos! Hope you have a great & creative 2017!
Thanks Rob!
Happy New Year! lovely collection for 2016 Mark, My fav is the second one, those firey colours are amazing. I like the Mosaic idea too. thank you for sharing I dont get over here as often as I wish although sometimes I catch your posts on facebook..
Suzy
ps, i dont think your commentluv plugin works with wordpress.com anymore because they’ve changed to https.
What a wonderful and refreshing selection of images, Mark! Your use of strong colors and abstract shapes and patterns is outstanding. I love the image, Crimson Maple Leaves. keep up the good work in 2017.
Thank you very much Alan!
Fantastic! You brightened my dreary day. Thank you.
Great! And thank you Darla!
Mark always a pleasure to see your year end photos and really appreciate your participation in this years Best Photos of the Year blog project. I hope you and your family have a great 2017!
Thanks Jim! Back atcha
Great collection of patterns and abstracts Mark. Some great additions to the portfolio. Happy 2017!
Sorry for a delayed thank you Richard…. have been having some problems with my site.
Beautiful collection, Mark! I always enjoy your eye for the smaller scenes near your home turf. The sassafrass leaves and sunburst is my favorite of the bunch. All the best for a great 2017!
Thank you Pat! All the best to you as well.
For my personal taste this may be one of your best years, Mark. I see and feel a touch of impressionistic and a bit of abstract art in some of these works but they all testify to a love of nature and the skill of a fine photographer. The bar is set high and I’m looking forward to seeing what this year brings. Have a wonderful 2017!
Thank you for the overly kind words! Truth is that I actually told my wife I wanted to go out and photograph the last day of 2016 because my pickings for favorites of the year were pretty slim. I did end up making one of the photos here, the sycamore leaf pile. 🙂
Another pleasurable trip down through your yearly archives. In all seriousness, I very much look forward to your ice photographs of Lake St. Clair. They always seem so powerful, barren, and for me, thought provoking. Of course, there are the stones. You certainly do find some interesting subjects, Mark. Thanks for sharing!
It is nice that you have developed a familiarity with the name of this lake Paul, especially being outside of the Michigan area. 🙂 I also find it interesting to think about the “limited” portrayal these ice photographs actually make of the lake. During the non-frozen seasons, I am much less interested.
In addition to a general reluctance to be around so many people at those times, there are stories of pollution and ecology of the lake and its environments that doesn’t get told with these photographs. And for that, I do feel a bit guilty for not showing a more rounded view. Something for me to continue to think about.
I appreciate your continued visits my friend. Maybe one day you will be able to join me on the ice yourself. 🙂
I think that it would fantastic to join you at the “edge” of the ice. LOL
As for showing a more rounded view, I can’t say that I’ve ever taken a picture that shows everything. It’s just too much to frame, both figuratively and literally. There have been streams or rivers that I’ve taken pictures of that have busted toilets, trash, and other things right next to where I was shooting, but I chose to show the beauty, because it’s what I saw, regardless, and what I wanted to show. Mind you, if my intent was to show the trash, pollution, etc, that’s a project for a different day or time. I’m sure that if you set about such a project, it would be impactful!
Although there is more to the story, I sincerely appreciate your sharing the beauty of it, even if you’re not telling the “whole”.
Mark, you’re doing some great innovating with the mosaics. I also like the abstract rock images, but the Clinton River is my favorite of all. Here’s wishing you a prosperous and worthwhile 2017!
Thank you very much David. Wishing you the same for 2017. We are going to need all the luck we can get.
Yes, on this collection for 2016. If you’re wanting a favorite, I would have to choose Sycamore and Swamp Oak image. No wait……
Looking forward to your projects and images for 2017. Show me your vision!
Not necessary, but thanks Monte! That Sycamore leaf image was a last ditch effort on Dec 31 to get some more in for the year! 🙂
As always, a wonderful, remarkable, and inspiring collection of images!
Thanks Howard. Always appreciate your visits.