Organic Light Pan

This year I thought I would post a wrap up of the best photos I made in 2010.  I am not as prolific as some photographers, but I have always been of the bent that quality is better than quantity.  I am not sure how many photographs I made in 2010, but these 25 photos mark the ones I liked the best.  I know that most will give the year’s top 10, but only 25 photos for the whole year, that averages out to about one good photo every 15 days.  I think I am doing pretty good with that given that Ansel Adams said a crop of 13 substantial photos in a year is good. Are all these 25 photos substantial, I don’t know, but they are what I consider the best for this past year.

Clicking on a given photo will take you to the Organic Light Photography website photo gallery where you can read more about each photo and make a purchase if you wish.  Enjoy and please let me know which is your favorite.

The year started out in pursuit of this small waterfall. For years I had seen where a winter waterfall could be present and this past January I managed to finally come away with a photo of it that I liked.

Ephemeral Veil

This portion of Gazos Creek has always intrigued me. There are these nearly perfect circular holes in the mud stone bed. I slowly inched my way out onto that slippery mud stone to come away with this photo.

Gazos Hole

Reflections have started to fascinate me ever since the 2007 Rippled Reflection photo. Here is the next addition to that portfolio.

Light Palette

This composition alluded me for years. This past October I finally came away with a photo from this location that meets my approval.

The Stage

A friend of mine calls this section of the Merced River “Cramer Alley” in honor of photographer Charles Cramer. Some of the photos produced by Charles Cramer are very inspirational and have gotten me to work along this portion of the Merced every time I visit the park.

Nestled

I have been photographing along the Big Sur coast line for over a decade. Garrapata Beach is one of my biggest attractions, but I have never photographed it from its northern end. I have seen photos from this side of the beach but was never impressed. This past August I found access to this view point on the North end and made my first attempt. I will need to go back, so expect more from this location.

Mystery Rocks

Spring found me leading a workshop about 2 weeks before the peak flower color. Carrizo Plain is a magical place when the flowers give a good showing. This was the California place this year.

True Value

Electric Dreams is a photo that I had in mind for years. I conceived the idea back in 2001 when I placed my then 35mm Nikon F4 camera with a 24mm wide angle lens on the ground in the sand pointing up into the sky with the camera on auto exposure and it captured my company logo. This was the first attempt at something similar with the 4×5 camera. My neck hurt for days after this photo.

Electric Dreams

When I was a graduate student at Stanford University, these flowers, Icelandic Poppies and Fireweed grew all around campus especially along the median strip of Campus Drive. They have always captured my imagination but have alluded my camera for years. These two photos come close to how I see them.

Impressions

My Heart Pops

I seem to always find myself photographing in strong harsh lighting. Its not easy to work with but one that I find challenging. This one I did not think would come out nearly as well as it did. The film held together very well.

Last Drink

Dogwoods are the most alluring of the deciduous trees here in California. Not tall like the Redwoods or Pines, not stoic like the Oaks or as graceful as the Maple, they leave nothing to desire when they bloom in spring or when they ignite in autumn.

Dancing With Dogwoods

I was incredibly disappointed when I discovered that I had underexposed this sheet of film by 2 stops! I was equally pleased when after developing the film and processing the photo that it came out as nice as it did.

Hidden

This photo was made in 2006, but sat in my files for the last 4 years until a client had asked for such an image for web use. It turned out that the request came in at the same time while I and my family were dealing with Whooping Cough and I was questioning the choices I had made in my life up to that point. This photo came to life at the right time.

Choices

Trees continue to fascinate me and the following four photos are new to that portfolio.

In The Trees

Pine and Moss

In The Glow

Cathedral Grove

This is one of the most dramatic views in the Park. It is not difficult to get to and one that stays with you for a lifetime.

The View

This scene took my breath away and was one that I knew would result in a great photo. It was just chosen as the California Nature Photographers January Cover photo!

Guardians

I must say that I have been unfaithful to the moon. It was the moon that first forced me to put a camera in my hand, and I have chased this little sliver of light in the sky nearly every month for the last 20 years! Yet I have shared very few of the photos. That will change from here on out.

Rabi Ath-Thaani 1431

Farewell Ramadan

The Moon, Venus and Me

Muharram 1432

This is the last photo I have made in 2010 and I really don’t expect to have time to go out before the new year. It was a unique event in our lifetime and one that I am very fortunate to have seen.

In Earth's Shroud

All these photos are now online at the Organic Light Photography website with my reflections and are available for purchase. All photos, including these Best of 2010 photos will be on sale until the end of January 2011 with 20% discount. So don’t miss out.

I want to thank all of you for your continued support and I hope that the coming year will be a prosperous one for all of us.

Peace.