Late December every year I like to look back over my shots and pick my personal Top 10 (+3 this year... so hard to limit it). These are not necessarily the best technically by any means but definitely my personal favorites. Listed in chronological order...
#1 - Window to the Future - January 13th
The past few years have seen great change in Portland as many structures are being demolished to make room for new development. This particular building is on NW Park Ave and was built in 1910. I have a personal project to document as many demolitions as I possibly can. The framing of the backhoe bucket works perfectly here.
6D - 85mm - f8 - 1/125 - ISO 1000
#2 - Concerned Todd - January 17th
Filmmaker and friend Todd Trigsted dropped by to drink some beers and dial in the studio lights. I think we got them pretty dialed.
6D - 135mm - f9 - 1/125 - ISO 100
#3 - Pure Rebel - January 21st
Traveling model Kristy Harmer is a charmer for sure. The camera loves her and she is a true professional that is booked out every day of the year that she wants. This particular day was a four person group shoot in a recording studio in Brooklyn. I had dozens of shots that were keepers but this one works the best for me. Photo taken from a small step stool to provide a bit of foreshortening that emphasizes her face.
6D - 35mm - f6.3 - 1/60 - ISO 100
#4 - Reaching - March 8th
This shot is from a poplar tree farm along I-84 in Boardman, OR. The B&W conversion using NIK Silver EFEX just works for me.
6D - 16mm - f16 - 1/200 - ISO 100
#5 - Knob - March 8th
The 1914 Davenport Hotel is a hotel located in downtown Spokane, WA. The Davenport was the first hotel in the United States with air conditioning, a central vacuum system, pipe organ, and dividing doors in the ballrooms. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Door hardware is my living and photographing vintage hardware is a passion of mine.
6D - 35mm - f11 - 25 sec. - ISO 100
#6 - Monroe Street Bridge - March 9th
This bridge is also in downtown Spokane. This B&W long exposure using NIK Silver EFEX is one of my personal favorites.
6D - 16mm - f16 - 30 sec. - ISO 200
#7 - Palouse Falls - March 9th
Palouse Falls is one of the wonders of Washington State. This photo is a long exposure taken with a Lee Big Stopper (10 stop ND filter).
6D - 16mm - f11 - 30 sec. - ISO 100
#8 - Attack from above! - June 8th
On my way home from work I spotted this Osprey being tormented by a murder of blackbirds. I pulled over and let the shutter of my new 7D2 machine gun for a few minutes. Spray and pray they call it... my prayers were answered with this shot.
7D2 - 100mm - f8 - 1/800 - ISO 100
#9 - Elle Apostrophe - June 18th
This shoot took place in the Benson-Cheney mansion in St. Johns. Victorian attire and fog machines were on the menu and we certainly made the most of it.
6D - 85mm - f8 - 1/160 - ISO 100
#10 - Island Lake - June 29th
Our summer vacation was in Montana and Wyoming this year. No trip is complete without a drive to Yellowstone National Park via the breathtaking Beartooth Pass. This is an early morning (just after sunrise) shot at the edge of the lake taken rather quickly due to the fact that the mosquitos absolutely love my sweet blood and they were swarming me.
7D2 - 90mm - f16 - 1/125 - ISO 800
#11 - Square Butte Sunset II - July 6th
Sunsets in Montana are a true sight to behold! This particular shat was taken just after the sun dipped directly behind Square Butte. The clouds just exploded in color. This is an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composite taken from a 3 shot bracket and combined in Adobe Lightroom.
6D - 35mm - f11 - 1/20 - ISO 100
#12 - Untitled - October 8th
My friend Michael asked me to be the second shooter at a wedding for a good family friend. This shot was the father/bride dance and captures Dad's perfect expression.
6D - 100mm - f4 - 1/180 - ISO 400
#13 - Angelo - November 12th
I got the chance to shoot my favorite band Fishbone from the front row. Learned a lot on how to shoot in low light without flash that night... basically use fast glass and bump shutter speed and ISO up as far as you can to get the correct exposure. I used my 35 f2 IS and 85 1.8 as fast primes may not be as versatile as a zoom but they sure do let the light in.
6D - 85mm - f2 - 1/250 - ISO 1600
#13 - Tilikum Morning II - November 30th
I revisited this shot from last year and nailed it even more successfully due to the fog and light. I manages to capture the lights on the bridge as well as the OHSU tram. I will take this shot a few times a year and one of these days I'll hit it perfectly.
7D2 - 135mm - f11 - 1/250 - ISO 250