2023 – The Year in Pictures. Here is a selection of favorite images released in the past year. These are not necessarily my best or most popular, but each represents a special moment in time in which the beauty of this amazing world revealed itself before my lens.
Please share and enjoy! I’d love to know your thoughts and if any images resonated with you or conjured up good memories. You can click on any image for a large high quality view, to learn more about it or purchase a fine art print.
I look forward to seeing your favorite images, and most of all I wish everyone a healthy and Happy New Year!
-Russ
Punch Bowl Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OregonGranite boulders at Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree National Park, CaliforniaIcebergs on glacial meltwater, Jasper National Park, CanadaClearing winter storm over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaWildflowers at sunrise, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OregonBackpacker on the Bishop Pass Trail, John Muir Wilderness, CaliforniaGiant Sequoia in the Congress Grove, Sequoia National Park, CaliforniaKalalau Beach, Napali Coast Wilderness State Park, Kauai, HawaiiWildflowers in the Temblor Range, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CaliforniaMilky Way over Sierra Nevada Mountains, John Muir Wilderness, CaliforniaForest abstract, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaFairy Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon USA
The Milky Way and Perseid meteors, Los Padres National Forest, California
It’s been said that you don’t need to circle the globe to find wonderful subjects to photograph. And while shooting close to home may not sound as exciting as travelling to far off exotic destinations, quite often those grand landscapes and intimate details can be found right in your own backyard.
I’m fortunate to live in Southern California where icons like Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks are within a day’s drive, yet I’ve discovered many less frequented local spots that can be just as rewarding for photography. Los Padres National Forest is one such place that includes a large portion of California’s coastal mountains from Ojai to Monterey. Nearly half of the forest is designated wilderness that ranges from semi-desert in the interior areas to redwood forests on the coast, providing a wealth of photographic potential.
So the next time you’re scouting photo locations or just searching for a quiet place to call your own don’t forget the state parks, national forests, and other public lands nearby. You won’t experience the crowds or expense that come with the bigger parks and international travel, and you might just be surprised by the quality images and visual opportunities that can be found close to home.
Ocotillo under the Milky Way, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
My latest post in the Behind the Shot section of the Outdoor Photographer Blog features the night sky in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With this conceptual image, I wanted to combine several elements to convey the sense of wonder that you experience on a moonless night in this unique park. Take an odd looking succulent, add bit of light painting and the Milky Way, and well you get the picture…
To read more about Anza-Borrego and how this image was made, visit the OP Blog here.
