End of Year Showcase

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

Image(s)

The Standing Dead_3.jpg
The Standing Dead_3.jpg1356Ă—2000 1.04 MB

Fallen Yucca_2.jpg
Fallen Yucca_2.jpg2000Ă—1334 2.02 MB

Desert Renewal_10.jpg
Desert Renewal_10.jpg1705Ă—2000 2.04 MB

Hiker on a Golden Path
Hiker on a Golden Path883Ă—1325 1.03 MB

Stand Out-2
Stand Out-22752Ă—4128 2.93 MB

Cradled
Cradled3388Ă—2813 779 KB

3 Brothers
3 Brothers8256Ă—5504 1.5 MB

Taurus
Taurus5314Ă—4251 2.52 MB

Passage
Passage4990Ă—7485 1.03 MB

Old Blue Eye
Old Blue Eye1783Ă—1783 304 KB

Image Description

Here are some of my favorites from 2024. Lots of firsts this year. The first three images are selected from a project, my first ever submission to a photography competition, on the impact of a desert wildfire that happened about 20 miles from our home, four years ago. The project goal is to show the degree of destruction contrasted with the remarkable endurance and recovery of the damaged desert landscape.
The next three images are from our first trip to Colorado, during the change of the fall colors. As you can see, we managed to time it well. Every day my wife and I would find a backroad and hike for 3 to 4 miles with our pug. Turns out Alexander Hamilton (Hammy) has quite the attitude and loves to hike. In one of these images, I stayed behind to get a picture of them hiking the road in the midst of the fabulous fall colors.
The last group, also with three images, is from my first ever photography workshop, Fall in Yosemite. It was a great experience. I learned a ton, met some great people, and came away with some new perspectives, as well as images.
The final image in this set is of one of the stallions from a local band of wild horses. I seldom go out to photograph the horses, but, I will try to get some, hopefully, unique images, if run across them when out on the river.

Feedback Requests

Anything, hopefully, just enjoy!

Pertinent Technical Details

All done with Nikon D850 and Nikon Lenses. This was a year of learning; how to use Live View Exposure Preview, Manual mode (had used mostly aperture /shutter priority with auto ISO), button preset for in camera aspect changes, composition choices, focus stacking, for a start, thank you Alex. Learned to slow down and explore, improve composition choices, thoughtful project curation, LRC tips, thank you Bill. Got motivated to start printing, start a website, open up and start sharing images more, thank you Matt, Nic, and David. And to all of you outstanding photographers and members of NPN. This is a welcoming and engaging community that I hope to get to know even better in the years to come. Your work is as inspiring as it is humbling., so thank you!!

1 Like
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Marlin, indeed a fine collection of images. The opening look at that “scarecrow” cactus is spectacular, made even better by the stormy sky. As a fan of ice images, Taurus is good fun as are the Three Brothers peeking through the clouds, nicely balanced by the foreground trees.

3

Thanks, Mark. It is fun looking back at the year. Each quarter had sort of its own theme. I am looking forward to what next year might bring. Have a Good New Year!!

4

I agree with Mark, Marlin. Great collection. I love the opening image of the cactus skeleton. I love the saguaro flower and buds, the lone hiker in fall is excellent, and the last image of the horse in shadow is eerily excellent. Cool collection.

5

Great collection of images. I really like the black and white images !!! Beautiful tone !!! That cactus really was a great find. Captured this image and it really speaks out … Way to cool

6

Thank you @Ed_Williams . It has been a fun year. I am still working on fine tuning the desert wildfire project and looking forward to a repeat trip to Colorado as well. Plenty of subjects out there!
Have a Great New Year!

7

Thank you @Gill_Vanderlip . Black and white images are something I keep getting into, when the mood is right. Can’t convince my wife yet, though:) Havve a fun New Year!

8

Black and white shows the soul and tone. Show your wife how you convert and work your magic. My wife finally got it when I showed her the process I use.
Have a great New Year’s.

:camera_flash::pray::camera_flash::earth_americas::pray::camera_flash:

9

Marlin, this is a wonderful collection! Your B&W’s are exceptional, and I love the first tree, and the bee and cactus.
Really looking forward to your 2025 images!
Happy New Year !

10

So far she is a hard sell, but, I m not deterred:)

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Thank you @Sandy_Richards-Brown . The bee and cactus is probably my most favorite of the year. It truly represents what I am trying to show of the resilience of the natural world, the desert in particular, just trying to do its thing!
Happy New Year to you also!

12

What a great collection Marlin. Of course, how can you not love a group that includes a pug? :wink: Happy New Year!

13

Thank you, @John_Williams . Hammy is in great shape and hikes almost everywhere with us, as long as it is under 80 degrees :hot_face: Have a Great New Year!!

1 Like