It’s hard to believe that, in less than one week, 2019 will be over and 2020 will begin. Where has the time gone? Photographically, 2019 wasn’t an overly productive year. In fact, my camera was never in my hands throughout the entire summer. But, the times I did get out, I was able to create a couple of nice images. Here are five of my favorites from this year. Which one is your favorite?
Old Church Door
If you can get past the spookiness, abandoned buildings can provide some fantastic photographic opportunities. I found an old, abandoned, slowly collapsing church one day while driving around the small town of Keo, Arkansas. Carefully walking around inside the old church, I came across this door with its cracking paint and beautifully designed door knob.
Abstract Reflections
If one keeps an open mind, there are incredible possibilities for creating amazing abstract images all around you. During a trip to the Old Mill in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the rising sun was creating some very contrasty lighting situations. As I was about to leave, I noticed how the small ripples in the small ponds were creating very abstract reflections of the surrounding trees.
Collins Creek Waterfall
I photographed this waterfall on Collins Creek, which is located just below Greers Ferry Dam in Heber Springs, Arkansas. By carefully positioning my camera low to the ground and eliminating anything that could give a sense of scale, I was able to make the waterfall appear to be much taller than it really is. I also like how it appears to have been photographed deep within a canyon.
Colorful Rocks
On another trip to the Old Mill, I was expecting to get photographs of the mill surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage. Unfortunately, the leaves failed to cooperate, and the colors I was anticipating had not materialized. Changing my plan, as well as my mindset, I noticed some rocks that contained patterns of very subtle color that I knew I could enhance in Lightroom and Photoshop and create this photograph.
Autumn Leaves
On a trip to Blanchard Springs, which is just north of Mountain View, Arkansas, I discovered this collection of autumn leaves that had fallen to the ground. I was struck by their various shades of green, yellow, orange, and red. I was also intrigued by the way frost had formed on the edges of some of the leaves.