The Ones I Like List of 2016, Part I
Well, it’s that time of year – time for reflection, wisdom and a motivational kick-in-the-pants to spring you into 2017, creatively and otherwise. While I can’t promise you the most profound wisdom or the most effective kick-in-the-pants, I can offer a solid look back at my photography — my top ten photos of 2016. We’ll start with numbers six through ten today and do the rest over the next two days. Join me!
The Ones I Like List of 2016 [#10]
Pleasure Pier at sunset. Galveston, Texas.
Pleasure Pier at Sunset. My favorite lyrics from the musical Hair come from the song “Easy to Be Hard.” I know what you are thinking, but stay with me.
“Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needy friend
I need a friend.”
Powerful lyrics, yes, but you might wonder, “what on earth do those lyrics have to do with your photography, Katya…or with Galveston?” Well, those are good questions. I promise, it really all does come together. In my mind, at least.
This past spring I realized that in all my efforts over the past eight years or so to photograph the greater themes of fog, foliage and vacation spots far from home, I had neglected to focus on my very own neighborhood – the Greater Houston/Galveston area. Because I was always wanting to “get away” through my photography – to San Francisco, Paris, sleepy towns and enchanted forests – I forgot about my closest “friend,” home.
This year I set out to right that wrong. While I still cared about photographing those places afar I’ve yet to visit, I made sure I gave some love to places right here, those close to my heart – Main Street, the Strand, the developing banks of Buffalo Bayou and the street murals livening up our urban landscape. It’s something I plan to continue going forward. I’m really excited about it, and I hope you will be as well.
The Ones I Like List of 2016 [#9]
The Wasatch Mountains on a beautifully rainy, misty afternoon.
Wasatch, No 2. It’s amazing how beautiful a photo taken out of the passenger window of a moving car can be. I know, I know. As a professional photographer, I’m committing a cardinal sin, much like a magician who gives away the “family” secrets. Ideally, I’m supposed to further the myth that every photo we take as a professional is a well-thought-out nugget of planning. As someone who struggled, however, to learn things through trial and error, I wish I had known how really easy photography was from the very beginning. Instead I was mostly told about artificial light sources, expensive equipment and mathematical equations that still don’t make any sense to me. But consider me your favorite myth-buster, photography novices. Good photography is about taking photos, which means having your camera at the ready. It’s about seeing things that resonate with you and taking a shot, both literally and figuratively. Take that shot, my friends. Take a shot at doing something novel, something that will expand your range, something that will tell your story…something that makes you feel good. Take a shot without giving second thought to what the “right thing to do” is. And remember…it’s amazing how beautiful a photo taken out of the passenger window of a moving car can be.
The Ones I Like List of 2016 [#8]
A vintage General Motors Truck in the Palouse.
Vintage General Motors Truck. Back when I was just starting out with photography, and before I even had the faintest knowledge it would eventually become my profession, I took a photo of a vintage red truck, located in the woods near Brazos Bend State Park. I called it the Fiery Red Love Machine. It may have started my love affair with taking photos of old vehicles, those seemingly “left behind” to integrate with nature. I see this phenomena as a form of public art, and it’s on grand display throughout the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. That’s where I found this beauty. It may not be a fiery red love machine, but it’s got stories to tell. No doubt about it.
The Ones I Like List of 2016 [#7]
Springtime Bluebonnets and Wildflowers in the Hill Country.
Hill Country Color. Is there anything lovelier than springtime in Texas? I might be biased, but I think the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush that line the roads of the Texas Hill Country are some of the most beautiful natural color displays this side of the Mississippi. Whether you enjoy Brenham, Fredericksburg, Ennis or Austin, if it’s spring and you’re a Texan, you’ve got a bluebonnets on your mind and a roadtrip on the calendar. And if you are new to Texas, let me get you started by the pointing you in the direction of Texas Bluebonnet Sightings on Facebook. That’s where I’ve been going the past few years to determine both the travel location and schedule for my springtime photography. Priceless information from both the Facebook page’s owner, PerriAngela Wickham, and from the many visitors who share their sightings in comments and such. Just pick a spot in bloom, put some gas in the car and go. It’s one of the great joys of living in the state.
The Ones I Like List of 2016 [#6]
Rural Utah in all its charm.
Dream On. Utah is a gorgeous state. It gives us the red rocks of Snow Canyon, the Narrows of Zion, the Wasatch Mountains of Salt Lake and the rural hills of the state’s northwest corner. This photo was taken in those rural hills, hills of striking color and picturesque shape. There’s something about the slightly surreal charm of this scene that appeals to me. And neither here nor there, but there was a herd of sheep just down the road. I mean, this is someone’s very real and very rich life. Mull that over next time you are sitting in 5 p.m. rush hour. I know I do.
So that’s it for today, friends. Join me tomorrow for more of the countdown. Cheers!
