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
Giant Sequoia in winter, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California
In today’s modern world of fast-paced digital photography it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of new technology. Cameras, software and accessories are released at an alarming rate, and it’s easy to get caught up in the race to stay ahead of the curve. But it’s important to remember that first and foremost we are artists, and that technology serves the art and not the other way around. Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees.
You can be sure Rembrandt didn’t lust over the latest brushes or Ansel Adams the latest developer or papers whenever their interpretation of light and shadow faced a challenge. Instead, they trusted their familiar tools even more to allow their hand and eye (the only lasting tools of the trade) to record the scene faithfully.
When you do upgrade your equipment (and we all do at some point) you owe it to yourself to thoroughly understand its features and functions. No one likes reading manuals, but it’s time well spent that you’ll appreciate the next time the light is fleeting and you’re focused on capturing the moment, not fumbling with dials or menu settings.
So purchase when you must, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. Put your energy into developing your vision and spend less time worrying about the march of progress. Art is about the seeing and no one will ever look at your images and say “that was made with a Nikon or Canon”. More likely, they will say “what was s/he feeling”!
The more comfortable you are with your equipment the more it becomes an extension of your mind’s eye and allows you the freedom to truly see the world around you. And that’s when your vision outshines all the other tools in your bag.
Sunset over the Sierra foothills from Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park, California
Welcome Summer Solstice! June 21st is the longest day of the year, and the official start of summer in the northern hemisphere.
Historically Midsummer’s Eve has been a celebration of the solstice dating back to ancient times. It was believed that mid-summer flowering plants had amazing healing powers when picked on this night, and huge bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits thought to roam the earth when the sun turned southward again.
The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), because it appears as if the sun stops its course at this point. The sun doesn’t rise precisely in the east during the event, but rises to the north of east and sets to the north of west creating a longer arc in the sky. The solstice occurs when the sun’s zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. During the event it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.5 degrees. It’s a good thing too, because without this small offset we would have no seasons!
This year the solstice occurs at 7:57 AM (PDT – Pacific Daylight Time), and with nearly 15 hours of light it’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, have ample time for photography, and maybe even wrap up the day with a barbecue or a bit of stargazing.
