Happy New Year everyone!
Above is a short gallery of photos I shot on the last day of 2014, after my final surf session of the year. It might look like a gorgeous Southern California day —and it truly was spectacular— but the air temperature was only in the upper 40°s.
With every new year, it seems a resolution or two is perfunctory. Many, however seem designed to be broken. They appear to have something in common with crummy Christmas gifts: it’s the thought that counts.
I’ve learned to set realistic goals. In 2015 I simply want to become a better photographer. It won’t take much. So many times in 2014 I’ve had opportunities to capture something beautiful (or at least attempt to do so), but have been caught without my camera. That’s an easy fix. It stands to reason if I have my camera with me, press the shutter more often and pay attention to settings, I’ll get better.
My resolution is that the photography I post at the end of 2015 will be of better quality than those above. And if they’re not, and I haven’t progressed? Well, it’s the thought that counts.
Photos ©Ed Ward. Santa Clara Rivermouth, Ventura, CA. December 31, 2014
4 Comments.
i am definitely a fan of yours Ed! But we will succeed at that moon shot before the years out.
Likewise Kay. I remember specifically an image you posted of a house the had the qualities of a positive and negative at once. I thought “cool Photoshop trick, gotta figure that out.” My chin still bears the marks of my floor after learning you did that all in-camera.
I took some moon images that I was very happy with many months ago. Last month I was excited to take more with my most effective setting, but this time using a remote shutter release. I’d expected somewhat crisper images due to the remote, but the result was unfortunately less-than. The moon was further away, and I believe that may have had a tiny bit to do with it. The focus of the lens I used is also not quite as smooth as one would desire for a distant object. Unfortunately I think the true culprit could be my waning eyesight (and that’s no joke).
I take phtoos as often as I can, whenever I can. And if that means using my iPhone because it’s the only camera I have with me, so what! It might not be the most technially brilliant camera, but I still get to play with story and composition and have fun. 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing what you create in 2015 🙂
Thanks Morgana. Creating “real” photography -In my mind anything with composition and exposure taken into account beforehand to achieve above average results- is much more difficult than my “point-and-shoot” mentality lead me to believe. Must. Practice. Often.
And I’m a huge fan of your overriding concept of creating a story with each individual image.