The Best of 2018

[Kurt Harrigan]

The Best of 2018

It's that time of year when we can all look back, not just our lives but also on our Photography. We at FocalWorld hope that last year was a successful year for you and your family and also for your Photography.

So here are the Rules.

Post up to 10 of what you consider to be your Best photos taken during 2018.

Post any type of Photography. Pick out the best 10 from anything you have photographed.

Reply to this thread and Post those 10 here.

Please give a short 1 sentence comment with each photo. Tell us WHAT you were thinking, WHERE it was taken, and perhaps WHY it was special to you. (and # them please)

If you don't have 10 that you feel are your Best of, post less. The 10 is a max #. If you only have 3 photos for example that you feel are really special, then only post 3.

Please also # your photos. With so many being posted it makes it so much easier for the viewer to reply when you have listed each photo by #.

I look forward to seeing everyone's awesome photography!

Jim

A Happy New Year to everyone! Such wonderful photos have been posted so far! Here is my 2 cents worth and, since I don't think anyone else has done it yet, I think I will just do an alphabetical posting.

#1 "A Time For Reflection" Early morning Camas Lilies tucked away in a Sierra meadow.

#2 "Days of Grace" A small scene of aspen leaves on a warm autumn afternoon. Taken near Bridgeport, Ca.

#3 "Lone Cottonwood" A lone cottonwood in Mono Basin on a warm winter's night.

#4 "Maelstrom" A sandstorm moving through a valley of dunes in Death Valley National Park.

#5 "Of Days Past" A collection of withered aspen leaves holding on for one more day. On this shot I like how the green in the background compliments the color of the leaves. Taken near Truckee, Ca.

#6 "Scorched Earth" A lone aspen leaf well past it's prime created this eerie scene. The edges appearing to burn and the ominous color scheme led to the name of the title. Taken near Truckee, Ca.

#7 "Tiger Lilies" One of my favorite flowers! A beautiful little scene that I found in a high meadow above Lake Tahoe.

#8 "Winter Congregation" A collection of sand castles along the shores of Mono Lake.

#9 "Winter Postcard" A quiet winter morning and a lone cottonwood along the shore of Topaz Lake, Ca.

#10 "Winter Sunset" A sunset on Tahoe's east shore just a few days before the end of the year. Over the holidays Tahoe is a very busy place but a short trek through the snow led to this place of amazing solitude.

Thanks for looking, everyone! Safe and happy travels over the coming year!!!

 

[JimFox]

So many wonderful images, I will have to try to respond to my favorites over the next few days.

My 2018 imaging mostly came from 2 separate trips, an astroimaging trip in June 2018 (where we finally had our weather karma fail, and got only 2.5 nights out of a possible 7 with clear skies), and a 2 week trip to all 5 national parks in UT.

1) M81, Bode's Galaxy, a grand spiral galaxy (subframes a bit underexposed but still showing some details)

LRCC_M81_FW_LRCC_M81_LRGB_Sat_DSE_LHE_MT_PSCC

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

M81 under dark skies in NM, but with somewhat underexposed subframes

2) M13, one of the best examples of a globular cluster to be seen from the Northern Hemisphere:

FW_LRCC__M13_LRGB_ACDNR2_stretched_Sat_ABE_MaskedStretchL_LHE_DSE_PSCC

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018
• 2

M13 from dark Skies in NM

3) The Bubble Nebula, imaged in narrowband bicolor (H-a, OIII)

LRCC_FW_sRGB_BubbleNebula_Ha-0.9OIII_0.1Ha-OIII_PSCC2_MT2

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

The Bubble Nebula from dark skies in NM

4) The 'Gang of Four' astroimagers, Abiquiu Reservoir, NM, June 2018 (from left Mike Lewis, Dan Drew, Frank G., Bruce Rabalais)

LRCC_FW_AstroGroup_Abiquiu_TAP29361

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

'Gang of Four' astroimaging group, Abiquiu Reservoir, NM, June, 2018

5) Dead Horse Point at sunset, close up detail (The Pyramid):

LRCC_FW_DeadHorsePointPyramid_VC1_TAP30512

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

Sunset, Dead Horse Point State Park

6) Dead Horse Point, right before sunrise:

LRCC_FW_DeadHorsePoint_PreSunrise_sRGB_TAP30531_2_3_fuN_PSCC

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

Right before sunrise at Dead Horse Point State Park, UT, USA

7) Roadside Rocks, heading to Capitol Reef National Park:

LRCC_FW_RoadsideRocks_TAP30799_PSCC

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

8) Zion Canyon, late morning:

LRCC_ZionScenicOverlook_FW_TAP31488_89_90_co_testimage

• Mike Lewis
• Nov 2, 2018

Zion Canyon from the Scenic Overlook trail endpoint, off of the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway in Zion...

9) Upper Antelope Canyon Abstract:

LRCC_FW_UpperAntelopeCanyon1_TAP31792_3_4_5_6

• Mike Lewis
• Dec 31, 2018

Upper Antelope Canyon Abstract

10) Sunset at Monument Valley:

LRCC_MonumentValleySundown_VC1_sRGB_FW_TAP32114_PSCC

• Mike Lewis
• Nov 20, 2018

Last light of day on some of the most iconic formations in Monument Valley.

I like how yours are split up Mike! My favorites are #3,8 and 9. with perhaps #8 being my favorite as somehow you have gotten that one to feel 3D with the lighting.
ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

A Happy New Year to everyone! Such wonderful photos have been posted so far! Here is my 2 cents worth and, since I don't think anyone else has done it yet, I think I will just do an alphabetical posting.

#1 "A Time For Reflection" Early morning Camas Lilies tucked away in a Sierra meadow. View attachment 15276


#2 "Days of Grace" A small scene of aspen leaves on a warm autumn afternoon. Taken near Bridgeport, Ca.

View attachment 15277



#3 "Lone Cottonwood" A lone cottonwood in Mono Basin on a warm winter's night.
View attachment 15279



#4 "Maelstrom" A sandstorm moving through a valley of dunes in Death Valley National Park.
View attachment 15280




#5 "Of Days Past" A collection of withered aspen leaves holding on for one more day. On this shot I like how the green in the background compliments the color of the leaves. Taken near Truckee, Ca.
View attachment 15281




#6 "Scorched Earth" A lone aspen leaf well past it's prime created this eerie scene. The edges appearing to burn and the ominous color scheme led to the name of the title. Taken near Truckee, Ca.
View attachment 15282



#7 "Tiger Lilies" One of my favorite flowers! A beautiful little scene that I found in a high meadow above Lake Tahoe.
View attachment 15283





#8 "Winter Congregation" A collection of sand castles along the shores of Mono Lake.
View attachment 15284



#9 "Winter Postcard" A quiet winter morning and a lone cottonwood along the shore of Topaz Lake, Ca.
View attachment 15285





#10 "Winter Sunset" A sunset on Tahoe's east shore just a few days before the end of the year. Over the holidays Tahoe is a very busy place but a short trek through the snow led to this place of amazing solitude.

View attachment 15286

Thanks for looking, everyone! Safe and happy travels over the coming year!!!

Kurt,
Wowser, great set! #3 is the nightscape image I have yet to shoot, really special looking. And #8 is one of the more unique images of the Mono Lake area have seen - and in a very strange way reminds me of that famous stretch of Baobab Trees in Madagascar And all of the closeup leaves and flowers are very well executed and presented. Looks like you had a good year!

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

Well, I didn't think it would be this hard. When I sorted out my top favorites I had like 20 chosen, I managed to get them pared down to 10. I still left out some really special photos, but this will have to do.

#1. From Death Valley. This is an area in DV that I have scoped out for a while but hadn't really shot until then, so it was a pretty special feeling to have it all come together for a first time.
View attachment 15164


#2. Dream Lake in RMNP. I haven't been able to shoot the ice bubbles in Banff yet, so I was over joyed to find these up in the Rockies in Colorado.
View attachment 15163


#3. The Milky Way over Arch Rock in Joshua Tree. A single shot exposure that just came out really nice I felt.
View attachment 15166


#4. Sky Pond. In RMNP, it's a fun hike but at the end you have to climb up through a waterfall to get into this upper basin where Sky Pond is located. It was a bit tricky, but worth it.
View attachment 15170


#5. La Jolla in San Diego. Just a moment of serendipity as this beautiful butterfly was spreading her wings while I was there to shoot the beach. I rarely add the human element in my landscape images, so this one feels special to me.View attachment 15178

#6. A photo shoot of Caleb's 1st Birthday. Went all out on the baseball theme, it was a lot of work but totally worth it. It's also special since Caleb is my youngest grandson.
View attachment 15175

#7. One of my weddings I shot, this one is a little extra special since the bride is a good friend.
View attachment 15174


#8. The Moon. One of my earliest shots with my new Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. The lens is a beast, but it's results are so beautiful.
View attachment 15180

#9. Fall in Yosemite. This is the run off from Bridalveil Falls. It's a little off the beaten path, and I seemed to have been the only one crazy enough to be standing in the freezing water to shoot this area.
View attachment 15177


#10. Dallas Divide in Colorado. It was a morning without color in the sky as the clouds were raining. But persistence and patience paid off as the sun started to break through the clouds to produce what was a pretty special light.
View attachment 15176

Jim, a great set - but having seen many of your images, I am sure getting down to 10 for you was a bit arbitrary at the end, as you no doubt had many worthy candidates.

My comments (in no particular order)

#2 and #4 are great, and tell me I need to get over to the national park that is just over in my backyard more often!

#8 is good, and I continue to be impressed with what you are getting with that Tamron. I look forward to more cool stuff like this from you.

#9 is very special - I have visualized images like this before but never have been able to really capture one. The composition is great and the bright leaves really make it pop.

#3 is a GREAT Milky Way image - I am still trying to execute one that good. I have some good images of the Milky Way itself, but nothing with really interesting foreground like this one. Wonderful result in every way.

#6 Just a really excellent and creative image - really tells a great story, and proff that every interesting 'people' shot does not have to be a front facing portrait style image.

Great way to get this kicked off!

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

Not an easy task - I shot a lot of pictures this past year. Lots of coastal sunrise/sunset shots to have to choose favorites from. These are basically in the order I posted them with the oldest first.

Harris Beach near Brookings was kind to me this year:

Harris Beach South Beach Sunset

• AlanLichty
• Jan 25, 2018
• 3

Last light of the evening at South Beach.

Rialto Beach:

Rialto Sunset

• AlanLichty
• Mar 18, 2018

Low light at Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park.

Milky Way at the Bisti:

Milk-n-Eggs V2

• AlanLichty
• May 6, 2018

The Milky Way over the Cracked Eggs formation in the Bisti De-na-zin Wilderness.

Blue hour light at Bryce Canyon:

A Color Show Surprise

• AlanLichty
• May 1, 2018

Blue Hour light along the Queens Garden Trail in Bryce Canyon.

More Harris Beach:

Harris Beach Sunset

• AlanLichty
• May 13, 2018

An early December sunset at Harris Beach State Park, Brookings.

Geyser Basin in Yellowstone:

Lower Geyser Basin Overlook

• AlanLichty
• Oct 1, 2018

A morning view of the Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park:

Hidden Lake

• AlanLichty
• Oct 14, 2018

Hidden Lake near Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

Fall color reflections near the Siuslaw River:

Green Creek Reflections

• AlanLichty
• Oct 21, 2018

A small tributary of the Siuslaw River with some neat fall reflections.

Sweet Creek waterfalls:

Upper Ledge Falls

• AlanLichty
• Nov 21, 2018

Upper Ledge Falls along Sweet Creek in the Siuslaw National Forest.

Sweet Creek

• AlanLichty
• Nov 14, 2018

A colorful fall scene along Sweet Creek in the Siuslaw National Forest.

Finally a sunrise at Harris Beach:

Harris Beach Sunrise

• AlanLichty
• Dec 13, 2018

A nice morning color show at Harris Beach in Brookings, Oregon.

Alan,

Super set of images! I will HAVE to be asking you for some location advice if I am lucky enough to get out to that area again at some point.

- The Harris Beach images are fantastic, I like the last posted the best, the firsdt posted next, and the other as a 3rd, but all are very special. The colors in the first 2, and the overall framing and comp on the last one really work for me.

- The Rialto Beach image is very nice too - love the colors and gradations in that one.

- Both of the Sweet Creek images are special - I am hard pressed to pick a favorite between those 2 - pretty much whichever one I am looking at

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

You had a good photo year Jim - very nice well rounded set. I appreciate the explanation of what makes the photo for you. The first one is my favorite, and not an easy one to expose but you nailed it. My next fav. is #3 - you are truly a master of stars with realistic lighting on the earth. You got some gooduns too Alan, like you said Harris Beach was good for you, that first one is my fav.

It's funny I just compiled my own Best of 2018 Google album, something I've never done before. That should help me figure out a few of my own to post here.

This is a composite of my buddy Jeff ripping some good powder up at Stevens Pass, Wa a week before I broke my leg skiing in the same area. Hopefully we'll have many days this good in 2019, but it hasn't happened yet.
View attachment 15208

I was lucky to chance upon these climbers finishing up a route on the north face of Vesper Peak. I had back-country skied up an easy way and was very happy I lugged my Sony A7rII and 24-105mm so I could do justice to the fantastic view down.
View attachment 15209

Sunrise behind Glacier Pk. from Mt. Pilchuck. My first hike with a new drone, I also brought my Sony A7rII and got some nice sunrise shots.
View attachment 15210

Looking back at Sunset behind Mt. Pilchuck from the drone.
View attachment 15211

This was my first year learning to fly a drone, which opened up an exciting new way to see the world. Sunset on White Chuck, Glacier Pk. behind.
View attachment 15212

This isn't necessarily an esthetically pleasing shot, but it still makes me think, "Wow!" Taken on a day I took my mom and some older friends up to the Skagit valley for their first birding experience. Snow Geese take off.
View attachment 15213

I got into back-yard birding this summer after I built a fountain that attracted them.
View attachment 15214

View attachment 15215

Bear family at Sand Point, ONP - they came ambling down the beach out of the mist, we hurried out into the rocks at low tide to watch as they passed us.
View attachment 15217

I was very lucky to have a great week of snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui last spring after my leg healed.
View attachment 15218

Jim,

A very special and varied set of imagery - your ability to cover a multitude of subjects while keeping the quality and visual impact consistently high is always impressive, and something for many of the rest of us to strive for.

And since you have all but made it inevitable that I must now buy a drone, I am still waiting for some seed money to show up (I mean, you must be getting a kickback from the DJI folks, right? )

- Your climbing and skiing images always give a great perspective and put the viewer in the scene. In this set that Vesper Peak image is amazing - and a little vertigo inspiring too. Love it.

- White Chuck Sunset is my favorite of the posted drone images, great light and timing on that one. Hard to believe the wind was not a problem up there?

- I LOVE the Snow Geese image - that is amazing looking!

- The 2 bird in the fountain images are very well done, looks like getting that up and running is paying dividends for sure.

- And rounding out with the other wildlife images, the bears are very nice, but that B&W sea turtle portrait under the water is magical - one of the bet of those kind of images I have ever seen. Puts the viewer in the habitat, and the lighting, detail, and reflections (off the back side of the water surface no less) are really wonderful.

ML

 

[JimFox]

A Happy New Year to everyone! Such wonderful photos have been posted so far! Here is my 2 cents worth and, since I don't think anyone else has done it yet, I think I will just do an alphabetical posting.

#1 "A Time For Reflection" Early morning Camas Lilies tucked away in a Sierra meadow. View attachment 15276


#2 "Days of Grace" A small scene of aspen leaves on a warm autumn afternoon. Taken near Bridgeport, Ca.

View attachment 15277



#3 "Lone Cottonwood" A lone cottonwood in Mono Basin on a warm winter's night.
View attachment 15279



#4 "Maelstrom" A sandstorm moving through a valley of dunes in Death Valley National Park.
View attachment 15280




#5 "Of Days Past" A collection of withered aspen leaves holding on for one more day. On this shot I like how the green in the background compliments the color of the leaves. Taken near Truckee, Ca.
View attachment 15281




#6 "Scorched Earth" A lone aspen leaf well past it's prime created this eerie scene. The edges appearing to burn and the ominous color scheme led to the name of the title. Taken near Truckee, Ca.
View attachment 15282



#7 "Tiger Lilies" One of my favorite flowers! A beautiful little scene that I found in a high meadow above Lake Tahoe.
View attachment 15283





#8 "Winter Congregation" A collection of sand castles along the shores of Mono Lake.
View attachment 15284



#9 "Winter Postcard" A quiet winter morning and a lone cottonwood along the shore of Topaz Lake, Ca.
View attachment 15285





#10 "Winter Sunset" A sunset on Tahoe's east shore just a few days before the end of the year. Over the holidays Tahoe is a very busy place but a short trek through the snow led to this place of amazing solitude.

View attachment 15286

Thanks for looking, everyone! Safe and happy travels over the coming year!!!

Wow Kurt, these are awesome! I don't think I can even narrow these down to my favorite 3. But I will try.... so.... #1, 6 and 8. I think.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Great images already posted, now I will post my collection.

1.My latest great grand daughter Emma Joy.

180405-5013-5DS R

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

2. The Provo Utah Temple

180131-4045-5DS Rwarp

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

3. Roses from my garden

180824-7980-5DS R

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

4. Skyline overlook in Utah

180511-6060-5DS R A Nik Bw

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

5. Silverlake flats in the Wasatch Mountains Utah

180606-6304-5DS R

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

6. Aspen above Provo Utah

181008-9233-5DS R

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

7. Bucktail Ponds overlook, Grand Teton NP

180924-8738-5DS R A 16x9 A Studio

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

8.Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton NP

180924-8448-5DS R 30x45 11-9

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

9. Anticline Overlook, Canyonlands NP Utah

180317-4940-47 PC5B36x24

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

10. Grand View Overlook Capitol Reef NP Utah

180509-5836-5846 PANO 16x46

• Ben Egbert
• Dec 30, 2018

Ben,

A fantastic set from you, showing your landscape prowess in particular (or maybe that is just because it is my favorite type of subjkect )

#1 - Of course, how can you miss with a picture like this? I am guessing her Mom found this to be a super special image too.

I then gravitate to the landscape shots:

#4 - not familiar with where this is, doesn't look like it is on this planet! Very cool location!

#6 - the varied and rich colors in this one are a real feast for the eye - you really got a sweet shot of an amazing stand of trees at just the right moment it seems like!

#5, #7, #8 are all fantastic, with 8 being my favorite of the entire group of 10. Everything about it magical, with that alpenglow taking it over the top (no pun intended.)

#9 is a very cool location too, with again, wonderful light, and a dramatic perspective. Where is this in the park? Is it a difficult hike to get to? Sorry I missed this one on our recent trip...

ML

 

[Ben Egbert]

Thanks Mike.

4. You can see Factory Butte while at this location, called Skyline Overlook. It's near Hanksville. Rick, (Rfkiii) who was with me showed another version of it in his 10 best.

6. Is a local place, we must have a million aspen within 40 miles of here.

8. Is of course Oxbow Bend. Probably my 15th time here since 2006 and by far the best light.

9. Is off the beaten track. It's a spur from the road to the the Needles Overlook, which is itself a sort of side track. Its only about 15 miles as the crow files from Moab, but probably 50 miles of driving.

 

[Kurt Harrigan]

Kurt,
Wowser, great set! #3 is the nightscape image I have yet to shoot, really special looking. And #8 is one of the more unique images of the Mono Lake area have seen - and in a very strange way reminds me of that famous stretch of Baobab Trees in Madagascar And all of the closeup leaves and flowers are very well executed and presented. Looks like you had a good year!

ML

Thanks for your feedback and comments!

 

[Travis Rhoads]

Wow, some really fantastic images in this thread. It looks like everyone had a great productive 2018. I for one felt like 2018 was my best year to date, both for my personal photography, my commercial photography, my public speaking side and my realization of the goals I set out for myself at the end of 2017 to improve my work...Jim saw this post of mine on FB and asked that I post it here too...took me a while to find the thread...these are ranked in the order that I ranked them for the year...I won't be as wordy here...

#1: Sunset Light on Mt. Rainier.

#2: Mt. Rainier Breaking Through the clouds...I still get goosebumps much like when this was happening live in front of me...

#3: The Depths, Big Creek, Great Smoky Mountains NP.

#4: Hemlock Falls, Cloudland Canyon SP...an image that has eluded me for years...finally got it this year.

#5: Paradise River above Narada Falls...another type of image that I have wanted to add to my portfolio, snow!

#6: Folly Rush sunset in an odd place on the north end of James Island, SC.

#7: The Dark Side of the Bald, Golden Hour on Roan Mountain, an annual trip for me, this year was different...working new spots and new light.

#8: Tremont Riverscape, my favorite place in the Great Smoky Mountains NP...I never grow tired of that place.

#9: Under Sea View Pier, the final piece of a 5 image series I have been working on for several years...

#10: Start the Morning With a Song: Sunrise in the Cataloochee Valley during the Elk Rut...magical and enchanting is all I can say about that morning.

May you all have the best of light in 2019...I head off to Death Valley in a couple weeks...can't wait.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Excellent set Travis

 

[Travis Rhoads]

Excellent set Travis

Thanks Ben!

 

[JimFox]

Wow, some really fantastic images in this thread. It looks like everyone had a great productive 2018. I for one felt like 2018 was my best year to date, both for my personal photography, my commercial photography, my public speaking side and my realization of the goals I set out for myself at the end of 2017 to improve my work...Jim saw this post of mine on FB and asked that I post it here too...took me a while to find the thread...these are ranked in the order that I ranked them for the year...I won't be as wordy here...

#1: Sunset Light on Mt. Rainier.
View attachment 15327
#2: Mt. Rainier Breaking Through the clouds...I still get goosebumps much like when this was happening live in front of me...
View attachment 15328
#3: The Depths, Big Creek, Great Smoky Mountains NP.
View attachment 15329

#4: Hemlock Falls, Cloudland Canyon SP...an image that has eluded me for years...finally got it this year.
View attachment 15330
#5: Paradise River above Narada Falls...another type of image that I have wanted to add to my portfolio, snow!
View attachment 15331
#6: Folly Rush sunset in an odd place on the north end of James Island, SC.
View attachment 15332
#7: The Dark Side of the Bald, Golden Hour on Roan Mountain, an annual trip for me, this year was different...working new spots and new light.
View attachment 15333
#8: Tremont Riverscape, my favorite place in the Great Smoky Mountains NP...I never grow tired of that place.
View attachment 15334
#9: Under Sea View Pier, the final piece of a 5 image series I have been working on for several years...
View attachment 15335

#10: Start the Morning With a Song: Sunrise in the Cataloochee Valley during the Elk Rut...magical and enchanting is all I can say about that morning.
View attachment 15336

May you all have the best of light in 2019...I head off to Death Valley in a couple weeks...can't wait.

So glad you posted these Travis!

An awesome group of photos that are worthy of anyone's Top 10. My favorites are #1,3 and 10.

 

[dan swiger]

Belatedly, here are my faves of 2018

Pt. Reyes, "in the rut"

Yosemite "Path through the Dogwoods"

Yosemite, "Dogwood Glow"

Yosemite, Washburn Point, "Spewing Fire"

Metcalf Oaks

Yosemite, Mirror Lake

Reno Air Races, Biplane class

Reno Air Races, "The Unlimited Class Winner is..."

Reno Air Races, Unlimited Class "P51, Into the Wild Blue Yonder"

 

[Kyle Jones]

Belatedly, here are my faves of 2018
View attachment 15420 Yosemite, Washburn Point, "Spewing Fire"

Very nice Dan - I'd forgotten that you were in Yosemite the same night I was!