Here it is, 2014 boiled down to fourteen photographs. You would think that reducing a year into fourteen photographs would be difficult because that’s too few to represent such a vast amount of time. In reality, it was really difficult to choose fourteen photographs because when it came to identifying my very best from this past year, fourteen felt like an enormous number! Perhaps I’ve gotten too close to my work to see the forest for the trees sort of deal! Below you’ll find fourteen images from 2014, in no particular order.
1) Jane Bald Roan Highlands Appalachian Trail Winter Snow Sunrise
Why: the effort to reach this location and a general desire to see this particular landscape in these particular conditions made this a very fulfilling photograph
2) Folly Beach Charleston South Carolina Coastal Tree Tidal Pool Blue Hour Sunset
Why: the magic of blue hour; the all-out sprint and ragged resulting condition that ensued to reach this spot, unplanned, in order to capitalize on the light
3) Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Great Smoky Mountains National Park Spring Green Scenic
Why: amazing natural beauty of water in the Smokies; the effort to reach this particular spot and the patience to wait hours for appropriate light; green goodness
4) Linn Cove Viaduct Blue Ridge Parkway Foggy Mountain Scenic
Why: a different take on a well-known landmark; the lack of sleep and the intense drive through storm-riddled, no visibility roads leading up to this sunrise
5) Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Atlantic Ocean Wave Crash
Why: an exciting vantage on a classic and well-photographed landmark; the difficulties and risk of executing the shot; being responsive to the landscape and the conditions to dictate shot location
6) Grassy Ridge Roan Highlands AT Spur Trail Catawba Rhododendron Spring Landscape
Why: perhaps my favorite physical landscape in the Southern Appalachians; the magic of wild Rhododendron mixed with fog & views; sustained repeated effort to capture the landscape
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- Roan Highlands Grassy Ridge Catawba Rhododendron
7) Dolly Sods Wilderness Area Autumn Red Heath, Flagged Red Spruce & Unique Rocks
Why: first-time landscape for me; the synthesis (albeit imperfect) of many targeted elements into one frame; magic morning side lighting on an otherwise wet trip
8) Ricketts Glen State Park Pennsylvania Ganoga Falls Downstream Autumn Landscape
Why: return location; continuous improvement & tweaking of a familiar scene; autumn seasonal beauty
9) Jennette’s Fishing Pier Nags Head Outer Banks North Carolina Blue Hour Stormy Landscape
Why: magical moment at blue hour; a spot of creativity in an otherwise bleak month; right place, right time
10) Oconaluftee River Valley Great Smoky Mountains Sunrise Mountain Layers
Why: simplified frame; soft coloring & lighting; responsiveness to the landscape & conditions for composition
11) Grandfather Mountain Reflecting Autumn Colors in Price Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Why: re-creation of an earlier idea; execution; favorable environmental conditions; realization of pre-visualization
12) The Charleston Battery Reflected
Why: work induced moment of inspiration/creativity; proof of the muse; odd looks from passerby’s
13) Grassy Ridge Roan Highlands Southern Appalachian Highland Meadow Spring Scenic
Why: a favorite view of an amazing place; stubborn & relentless efforts over weeks of daily hiking
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- Roan Highlands Grassy Ridge Spring Green
14) Occoquan Stream Valley Virginia Bluebell Spring Wildflower Scenic
Why: historically unsuccessful attempts at photographing Virginia Bluebells without resorting to macro; intentional focus on photographing the Piedmont region (portfolio is heavy on mountains and coastal images)
14 for 2014 - A Year in Review:
Congratulations on a great year, Mark! That’s a really nice set of images. I’ve visited and photographed many of the same sites and can appreciate the miles and effort that you put into making each of the images. I hope 2015 treats you well!
Thanks, Xavier! I appreciate the good words! The same to you in 2015! I’ll have to jump over to your FB page and scroll through your photostream–always love to see others’ interpretation of places that I also shoot. Look forward to it! Happy New Year!
Wow, Mark! Your efforts have truely paid off. Your photographs are beautiful and so inspiring to me as an aspiring landscape photographer. You set the bar, my friend!
Happy New Year!
Thanks so much, Gayle for dropping by and for the awesome words! I really appreciate that–it was a really exciting year and I feel in many ways as if I’m only now getting started with my photography. Happy New Year to you as well!
You’ve collected an inspiring collection of images through hard work and determination Mark. Always love seeing your work. Best of luck to you in 2015!
Thank you, Carey! Likewise with your work–you catch the OBX in some of the best lighting I’ve seen! Happy New Years to you and I look forward to keeping an eye on your photostream as well!