2015 Favorites

I figured I should get this posted before we get into February, so here are my 10 favorite photos from 2015. I pick my favorite (not necessarily best) photographs based on several factors, the most important of which is “do I like it?”. I also account for the feedback I’ve gotten over the year along with how much I enjoyed actually going out to get the shot. I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts in the comments below!

Presented in no particular order…

1. Lunar Eclipse at Pfeiffer Beach

Big Sur, California (Kyle Jones)

This one was fun to put together and a beautiful sight to sit and enjoy. I took a timelapse sequence of the full lunar eclipse in April 2015 and layered the shots of the moon into a single frame. I added some light to the rocks with my flashlight. I was amazed at the number of stars that appeared when the moon was fully eclipsed.

2) Mono Lake Sunset Reflections

Mono Lake, California (Kyle Jones)

Mono Lake is a surreal landscape just east of Yosemite. I’ve visited the area many times but had never had particularly special conditions. On this evening the clouds were heavy and it looked like nothing special was going to happen for sunset, when suddenly the sky lit up in pink and purple hues. I got low for this one to capture the shoreline leading out to the tufa and the colorful reflection in the water.

3) Delicate Night

Arches National Park, Utah (Kyle Jones)

Delicate Arch is probably the most famous geological feature in Utah, appearing on the state license plate. I had never been to Arches National Park so I made my pilgrimage just before New Year’s. The sunset was unspectacular so I waited for the crowds to leave and set up my lights to capture the arch as darkness fell.

4) Cholla Sunrise

Joshua Tree National Park, California (Kyle Jones)

Sandee and I went to the professional tennis tournament in Indian Wells during the spring (you can look in my sports gallery if you are interested!), so I got up early one morning to visit the Cholla Garden in Joshua Tree National Park. This was another spot I had always wanted to visit. These are nicknamed “jumping cactus” for good reason. Even though I was very careful not to touch any of them, several times I looked down to see one of the little balls of needles stuck to my leg. Now, a year later, I still have red dots on my ankle from the spines.

5) Athabasca Gorge

Jasper National Park, Alberta (Kyle Jones)

Sandee and I made a trip to the Canadian Rockies at the end of September, my first trip to Canada. One highlight was driving the Icefield Parkway between Banff and Jasper, and my favorite spot was the Athabasca Gorge. I have several shots I like from the area, with waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, but this one is my favorite. I like the turquoise river flowing through a narrow portion of the gorge and the details in the rock. A little bit of fall color doesn’t hurt either.

6) Mesa Arch Sunburst

Canyonlands National Park, Utah (Kyle Jones)

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park is another Utah icon, and I made my first visit on New Year’s Eve (just under the wire for my 2015 list!). It had snowed overnight making the drive into Canyonlands somewhat challenging. It was still snowing when I arrived at the trail head, making me wonder if I was going to be able to see anything. Fortunately the clouds parted to the east and this beautiful scene unfolded.

7) Yuyuan Baazar

Shanghai, China (Kyle Jones)

I visited Shanghai for business in January and had some time after work one evening to explore. I grabbed my tripod and took the subway to this famous bazaar just before they turned the lights out for the evening. The walk from the subway station was interesting – dozens of people had set up karaoke stations in the park, all loudly blasting away!

8) Moraine Lake

Banff National Park, Alberta (Kyle Jones)

I have always loved pictures of Moraine Lake in Canada’s Banff National Park, with beautiful peaks surrounding the colorful waters of the lake. So when Sandee and I arrived in Banff I told her that this is where I wanted to go for sunrise the next morning. She’s not usually a big fan of getting up before dawn to stand around in freezing temperatures while I wait for the light. I was happy she decided to join me and we both enjoyed this beautiful scene. The coffee and pastry afterwards didn’t hurt either.

9) Dead Horse Point Morning

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah (Kyle Jones)

This is another one from New Year’s Eve, again just making it into the 2015 list. Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah has an amazing view overlooking the Colorado River in any weather, but adding fresh snow to the scene really emphasizes the layers. For this composition I wanted good detail in the tree along with the texture of the fresh powder, so I blended two shots to keep everything in focus.

10) Hot Creek Sunrise

Mammoth, California (Kyle Jones)

Steam rises above Hot Creek (fed by Mammoth Creek and warm water from some geothermal springs) at sunrise, looking toward Eastern Sierra peaks. I used a polarizer to bring out the clouds. Our group chased away some duck hunters when we arrived, but we continued to hear gunfire as we shot. A little adrenaline helps you to stay warm on a cold morning!