“May you live in interesting times,” as the aphorism goes: and 2024 has certainly had its moments of interest! In terms of my life in photography, the year started in New York and Key West, Florida, proceeded to France and Ireland in the spring, included gardening and flower photography at home, and followed up with a lengthy and magical trip to Japan in the autumn.
Midyear I made the first major shift in my tools-of-the-trade in many years: I switched from my Nikon D850 (I still use it sometimes and try to make sure it isn’t feeling utterly neglected!) to a Leica M11 Monochrom and a Leica M11P. They are my camera darlings!
Can you see where the switch occurred, and whether the tools of the craft make a difference in my work? Personally, I think making art is about what is in my head and heart, not whether I am using a Nikon or a Leica: but I do love those Leica lenses!
In 2024, one professional accomplishment was the publication of five of my images as”miscellaneous” USPS postage stamps. The stamps were celebrated at a First Day of Issue ceremony here in Berkeley, California with related publicity including a TV interview.
I’ve been making my “personal choice” best-of selections for many years, going back to 2013. These annual selections can be found here. My choices are idiosyncratic, based on no discernible criteria whatsoever, and simply are my personal taste. These selections are by no means complete. A more thorough catalog of my work can be found on Flickr, Instagram, and on my blog (but many of my images never get blogged even if I like them and they are widely reproduced).
Without further ado, here are my 2024 choices!
Unzip my Petal Heart
First, there was the business of hearts. Hearts are not to be taken lightly. They never are: hearts can be broken, lost, found, and mended. Always pay attention to who and what you love! Read more.
Bridge to Nowhere
Irises and Red Tulips
Flower Magic
Well, flowers are magical. So is nature, and so are people. Of course, with light comes darkness, and without the contrast we would not grasp the magic of the moment in its entirety.
Well, flowers are magical. So is nature, and so are people. Of course, with light comes darkness, and without the contrast we would not grasp the magic of the moment in its entirety.
Ranunculus
Selfie in a Bathroom
Wherever you go, there you are. I embrace this solecism (or tongue-in-cheek tautology if one prefers). But I do wonder why so many hotel bathrooms have “infinite” mirrors. Read more.
Little Venice, Castres
Bottles
Kinard Beach
Kinard Beach is on the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Dingle and the Dingle peninsula ares truly magical places, with frequent rain, changeable weather, and mountains slipping into the wild Atlantic ocean. Read more.
Iris
Triumph of Beauty over Despair
I’ve talked—and written—about designing a structure behind an apparently free-form image. With flower photography on a light box, possible forms this structure can take include a bouquet, a garden patch of upright flowers, and a mandala, to name a few compositional ideas. Read more.
Dragonfly’s Garden
Eye of the Dragon
Eye of the Dragon, shown below, is a Photoshop composite of an extreme close-up of a dahlia blossom and my left eye. Read more.
Planet Dahlia and House of the Rising sun
I’ve been enjoying photographing seed pods with my Leica Monochrom M11. My new photography neighborhood friend Jaime showed me a local garden, and we photographed flowers and seed pods on location. Later I went back to the garden, and asked the owner if I could cut a few to bring back for studio photography. Read more.
Iris
Above Ryuzu Falls
I’ve never understood the lyrics of the song “Don’t go chasing waterfalls.” Apparently, if you Google it, the lyric to this catchy tune (I’ve worked out to its beat at Orange Theory) “is a metaphorical warning against pursuing self-destructive behavior. Waterfalls appear beautiful and mesmerizing, but their currents run strong and lead to extreme and violent endings”. Read more.
Kegon Waterfall
Autumn Reflections, Isuein Garden
Some photographic subjects resonate in the poetic sense. For example, spirals, bridges, the light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, this possible subject-matter resonance is not sufficient to create a provoking image. But many of us look for subject matter with that hint of the ineffable. I know I do. Read more.
Something Fishy
Small Ikebana Stands
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. From its origins in Kyoto more than a millenia ago, this is an art form that has evolved within a formal tradition of considerable restraints. Read more.
Peonies in a Vase
Iya Valley Sunrise
Iya Onsen Hotel perches high above the Iya River in the mountainous and less-traveled region that is in the interior of Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island. The area is magical, and the hotel is very special. A self-service tramway takes you down to the onsen (warm public baths) beside the river banks. Read more.
Orchids
I hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of my 2024 photography adventure. This year has been not without challenges for myself, our family, and the world, but I have enjoyed traveling, spending time with my family and in my garden, being creative, and growing as an artist!
Most of my images are available as prints. If you are interested, please let me know.
Check out my self-selected bests from previous years in Best Images Annuals!