My 5 Favorite Photographs of 2013
Every year around this time I like to look back at the photographs I made and think about what worked, what didn’t, which ones I’m proudest of, and what I want to do more of going forward. It helps me understand where I’ve been, and where I want to take the work next.
Here are my 5 favorites from 2013, and a bit of why each one stuck with me.
1 – Sunrise at Whale Rock
Whale Rock is actually the smallest island in Narragansett Bay, and it sits on the horizon in this shot. It’s a long exposure taken from the beach — the blur of the water and the soft colors reflected in the sand give it almost a watercolor feel. That softness is what makes this one of my favorites from the year. You can see it here: Soft Sunrise at Whale Rock.
2 – Providence Highways at Night
I love Providence at night and get out there with my camera every chance I get. What sold me on this composition were the curves — the headlights coming toward the camera as cars enter the highway on-ramp, then the taillights as they curve away. Simple, but it works.
3 – Docked Boats Under Fall Colors
On a quiet Sunday, my wife and I grabbed an iced coffee and drove Route 102 from one end of Rhode Island to the other, chasing fall color. This ended up being my favorite shot of the day — the colors, the boats, the little dock, it all just says “Rhode Island” to me. You can see the print here: Docked Boats Under Fall Colors.
4 – Two Trees on a Hill
Every year I make the trip to a local farm’s Sunflower Festival, and every year I end up across the street photographing the same two trees on top of a small hill. I love them in silhouette — there’s something about it that always reads to me like two people holding hands, watching the day end. You can read the full story here: Across the Street: Two Trees I Keep Coming Back To.
5 – Newport Harbor at Dusk
Newport is one of my favorite places to shoot, period. This one reminds me of a genuinely calm, quiet summer night — and of the value of staying open to a different photograph than the one you walked in planning to take. You can read the full story of how this one came together here: Seascape Photography at Newport Harbor.
Thanks for taking a look back through the year with me — I hope you enjoyed these as much as I enjoyed making them.