Your favorite shot of 2014

[Belegost]

So I was going through some of my photos from last year, and I thought it would be cool to see what pics people felt were their favorite from the year. Optimally I would like to see the pic, and the story for what about it makes it your favorite.

I'll start.


So this one is not going to win any awards for composition or technical excellence.

But, this is a prairie dog in the middle of a "jump-yip" (and yes you can look that up, it's the scientific term for it) which takes about 1 second to throw their body up, yip, and come back down. The prairie dog colony has a fairly complex social structure, and communicate through various vocalizations. The jump-yip is frequently used to spread information about possible threats, a bit of an alert, and generally one dog will start it, and others will follow as they hear it, sort of a jump-yip wave.

There is a rather large colony (I estimate 60-100 individuals) in an open field next to my work, and I have taken a lot of pictures of them. And very often there would be jump-yip chains (probably warning everyone of the stupid human with a camera sneaking up on them =) but for months I was unable to capture one in the middle of it. I got a few just as they ended, but always a little too late.

So finally capturing one was really a victory moment, making this my favorite pic of the year.

 

[CuriousMike]

Thanks for starting this thread; I had wanted to start a "post your 3 best shots from 2014", but I think picking your single best shot is a better challenge.

This photo was taken in September

{start long boring part}
I "discovered" a local bay access near my house in February, and had been going down there at least 3-4 times a month.
I learned the names of a few birds ( terns, avocets, heron/egrets, white pelican ) and took a metric shit ton of photos of them - on the water, in flight.
Taking all these bird photos actually helped me in an unexpected way - it helped me take notice of light quality ( particularly direction ) to the next level.
{end long boring part}

For this particular shot, I showed up a little earlier than I had before. As I was approaching a levee, I noticed this "lump" sitting on the levee access gate. I'm slowly walking towards it, not having any idea what it was. It wasn't moving - that was freaking me out. I kept thinking someone did something horrific out here, and I'm going to see something terrible.
I get to within 30 yards of "it", when it puffs out a bit.
I stop walking immediately.
It settles back down.
I still don't know what it is, but it is alive.
My dog is with me, off-leash, and I'm praying to god she doesn't spook whatever the hell this alien is; luckily, she's behind me and found a ground squirrel to chase.
I get within 15 yards of "it", and it suddenly puffs out, then swirls it's head around.
I shoot off about 5-6 shots, this one being one of just 2-3 before it lifts off.

Disappointingly, I had my camera setup to "auto-ISO" because I had just been shooting some moving birds, and it precipitated a faster shutter speed.
I wish I could go back and re-take this shot, with the ISO at it's base level.

I've been back many times since, and haven't seen another barn owl.

But I keep trying.

 

[Belegost]

Awesome shot, even with the ISO grain it looks great, I love the pose with the wing loose. Thanks for sharing the story behind it, that helps make the image more meaningful.

And yea, I think we need a few more threads around here for sharing the output of the camera, instead of just talking about the insides. =) Getting the best sensor, or fastest auto-focus is great definitely, but capturing something with feeling is what's most important to my mind.

 

[CuriousMike]

but capturing something with feeling is what's most important to my mind.

I spend too much time measurebating hardware. I really do.
This year, I made a perhaps rash decision to swap out my D7100 for the D610. Complete sideways "upgrade."
However, doing that sidegrade has deflated the "new gear" itch out of me.
I finally recognized... finally... that hardware only gets you so far.

I think I've gone thru a few phases of being an amateur photographer over the past 5 years.

1. Learning the ISO triangle. Learning what focal lengths do. Understanding DOF and maybe not overdoing it. Understanding focus modes.
2. Learning to "think" about basic composition. Rule of thirds. Moving around to get a better shot.
3. Lusting after gear.
4. Lusting after better gear.
5. Realizing what all the pro's say is true - gear only matters to a point.
6. Taking a good photo is hard.

I suppose a lot of us get to #6 - maybe most quicker than me. But it's a good spot to be at.

Oh, and
7. Looking at other peoples awesome photos and saying, "Well, they just photoshopped the shit out of it to make it look good."

 

[Spoooon]

Excellent photos people.

One of my favorites from last year:

I always go to the pride festival to capture the energy and emotions of the day. What's always striking is the contrast between those on the left (in the pic) and those on the right.

I was taking pics of sodomy guy when the people with the flags started running around. I was shooting with my A7 and a Nikon Nikkor 105/2.5 and just praying that my manual focusing skills were up to par as they ran down the line towards me. Between being in the right spot at the right time and getting supremely lucky with the girls expression and her flag billowing out, I was a happy camper.

 

[CuriousMike]

Excellent photos people.

One of my favorites from last year:

This one stood out in our "daily shot" thread - one of my favorites posted last year.

 

[Berliner]

Great pictures here, so far.

Its hard to pick a single favorite for me, but I liked this photo a lot (for social reasons):

Natural curves view larger.​

 

[CuriousMike]

I'm afraid to like that photo because you're going to tell me it's a guy who shaved his ass...
Can I appreciate the color and lighting?

 

[Belegost]

Excellent photos people.

One of my favorites from last year:

I always go to the pride festival to capture the energy and emotions of the day. What's always striking is the contrast between those on the left (in the pic) and those on the right.

I was taking pics of sodomy guy when the people with the flags started running around. I was shooting with my A7 and a Nikon Nikkor 105/2.5 and just praying that my manual focusing skills were up to par as they ran down the line towards me. Between being in the right spot at the right time and getting supremely lucky with the girls expression and her flag billowing out, I was a happy camper.

Yea, I like the picture for showing the contrast - the left side with dark trees and muted colors, and the right side with bright sunlight and rainbow flag; a really good visual story.

Great pictures here, so far.

Its hard to pick a single favorite for me, but I liked this photo a lot (for social reasons):

Natural curves view larger.​

I like that, the framing abstracts it from a particular form, but the mind tends to want to complete it, a lot of tension in some sense.

 

[Spoooon]

Great pictures here, so far.

Its hard to pick a single favorite for me, but I liked this photo a lot (for social reasons):

I see a juicy double.

 

[Syborg1211]

Great shots so far. I've never had my tele lens when wildlife has presented itself so kudos to the great photos.

Belegost - What position was the model in for that shot? Were they pressing up against glass? It almost feels like someone was sitting on a copier... not that I know what that looks like lol. Cool shot nonetheless. Love the post processing.

CuriousMike - Yea I think we all reach that point at our own pace. I apparently didn't reach it until there was nothing left to buy lol. There's a hilarious graphic about the stages of a photographer that is so true:

The HDR hole is awesome.

Here's my favorite from 2014 though I have some real close 2nd's:

I worked with a fashion stylist who put together a bunch of different looks and picked a model out. I pulled in help from a hair stylist and a makeup artist who were good friends. The model unfortunately had sunburns all over and bad skin so this photo took literally hours to edit. Why you would get that much sun before a photoshoot is beyond me.

The stylist afterward called the hair and makeup work amateur which really bugged me. It looks spot on to me!

 

[Belegost]

Great shots so far. I've never had my tele lens when wildlife has presented itself so kudos to the great photos.

Belegost - What position was the model in for that shot? Were they pressing up against glass? It almost feels like someone was sitting on a copier... not that I know what that looks like lol. Cool shot nonetheless. Love the post processing.

CuriousMike - Yea I think we all reach that point at our own pace. I apparently didn't reach it until there was nothing left to buy lol. There's a hilarious graphic about the stages of a photographer that is so true:

The HDR hole is awesome.

Here's my favorite from 2014 though I have some real close 2nd's:

I worked with a fashion stylist who put together a bunch of different looks and picked a model out. I pulled in help from a hair stylist and a makeup artist who were good friends. The model unfortunately had sunburns all over and bad skin so this photo took literally hours to edit. Why you would get that much sun before a photoshoot is beyond me.

The stylist afterward called the hair and makeup work amateur which really bugged me. It looks spot on to me!

Your question was for Berliner I'm pretty sure.

I've seen several of the evolution of a photog graphs, that one is pretty good. =)

The pic is great, I can see why it's a favorite. The color selections are really good. Nice work on the editing, I would have assumed some touchup was done, but not removing a whole sunburn. =)

 

[CuriousMike]

Syborg - Damn, that's all pro looking ! I don't remember seeing it in the "photo of the day " thread.

And I must have missed your signature - you have a farking arsenal.

I'm copying that photographer chart and posting in my FB right now...

 

[tdawg]

Excellent photos people.

One of my favorites from last year:

I always go to the pride festival to capture the energy and emotions of the day. What's always striking is the contrast between those on the left (in the pic) and those on the right.

I was taking pics of sodomy guy when the people with the flags started running around. I was shooting with my A7 and a Nikon Nikkor 105/2.5 and just praying that my manual focusing skills were up to par as they ran down the line towards me. Between being in the right spot at the right time and getting supremely lucky with the girls expression and her flag billowing out, I was a happy camper.

Spoooon, what are your thoughts on the A7? I'm considering moving to an A7 from my D600; I want a lighter setup and I love the option to use pretty much any camera lens ever made with an adapter for the A7, but I don't love the shutter sound and am worried about shutter lag (and from what I've read, poor battery life).

 

[blastingcap]

Excellent photos people.

One of my favorites from last year:

I always go to the pride festival to capture the energy and emotions of the day. What's always striking is the contrast between those on the left (in the pic) and those on the right.

I was taking pics of sodomy guy when the people with the flags started running around. I was shooting with my A7 and a Nikon Nikkor 105/2.5 and just praying that my manual focusing skills were up to par as they ran down the line towards me. Between being in the right spot at the right time and getting supremely lucky with the girls expression and her flag billowing out, I was a happy camper.

Shows the atmosphere and tells a story. Great shot!

 

[blastingcap]

Ha! I never fell into the HDR hole. Also, I think flash belongs in there somewhere, a good external flash or three = priceless.

 

[Spoooon]

Spoooon, what are your thoughts on the A7? I'm considering moving to an A7 from my D600; I want a lighter setup and I love the option to use pretty much any camera lens ever made with an adapter for the A7, but I don't love the shutter sound and am worried about shutter lag (and from what I've read, poor battery life).

I don't know man, I love the A7.

I don't have a problem with the shutter. It's loud, but I don't notice it anymore and it doesn't seem to draw attention. And I haven't really had any problem with shutter lag, if it's there I must have gotten used to it. The battery life is fine for me, but I always carry a spare for just in case.

The A7 plus the FE 35mm is a great all around setup: small, light, great image quality.

I think the thing to keep in mind is what you're trading in for a "light" setup. f/4 instead of f/2.8 for a standard fast zoom, etc. If that's something you're good with, go for it. You can get an A7 used for $900, maybe less on a good day at fredmiranda.

It's not perfect, but I think it's awesome.

 

[tdawg]

I don't know man, I love the A7.

I don't have a problem with the shutter. It's loud, but I don't notice it anymore and it doesn't seem to draw attention. And I haven't really had any problem with shutter lag, if it's there I must have gotten used to it. The battery life is fine for me, but I always carry a spare for just in case.

The A7 plus the FE 35mm is a great all around setup: small, light, great image quality.

I think the thing to keep in mind is what you're trading in for a "light" setup. f/4 instead of f/2.8 for a standard fast zoom, etc. If that's something you're good with, go for it. You can get an A7 used for $900, maybe less on a good day at fredmiranda.

It's not perfect, but I think it's awesome.

What did you move from to go to the A7? My expensive zoom is the Nikon 16-35 f4, and I'm toying with going to primes anyway... The only one I would be afraid of is losing my 80-200 f2.8 for those time I night shoot an event or concert...

I think I'm just afraid to leave what I know well and exit the Nikon camp, but with adapters I can hang onto my 50 f1.8 and 85 f1.8 at the start.

 

[Aharami]

posting fb hosted pic. So pardon the crappy quality

 

[Aharami]

another one

 

[HendrixFan]

I have 4 or 5 shots this year that I feel could be contenders for my best shot, but this one is what I am settling on for now:

 

[Nohr]

It's hard to choose but I think I'll go with this one.


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