I am finally pulling together my favorite photographs from 2012. It is always helpful to take the occasional assessment of our own creative progress. The annual ritual of posting a “best of” has gone viral. You might be interested in reading an essay I wrote on the subject several years ago in my On Landscape column for Outdoor Photographer on this subject. I am pleased with the selection, which includes new Impressions of Light images, iPhone images, studio macro setups as well landscapes taken around my home and in nearby Yosemite. Since I started teaching private workshop sessions in Yosemite, I’ve been visiting Yosemite Valley much more often so you will see a batch of new Yosemite images taken this past fall and winter.
This year I have numbered each image, which will make it easier for your to let me know which ones are your favorites. It will be fun and helpful for me to have your feedback. I will value a list of favs, or general thoughts on what work you respond to the most. After I assess your feedback, I will then make a final edit of 10-15 that are my top selects of the year. If you have your own list of top images for 2012, please add your link in your comments below.
Regarding my private Yosemite sessions, you might enjoy seeing the Flickr group that I started for my students to share their photographs with each other: William Neill Private Yosemite Workshops.
I look forward to your comments and favorites for my 2012 portfolio.
Happy New Year, Bill
Best Of The Year: An annual review of your images can point you in new directions of creativity
1. Sunrise, Santa Monica State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/19, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
2. Sandpiper at sunrise, Santa Monica State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/4 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
3. Oaks and sunbeams, sunrise, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/60 second at f/11, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
4. Poppies and Lupine. Merced River Canyon, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2 second at f/32, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
5. Redbud, Merced River Canyon, 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
6. Lilies, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
7. Nautilus Shell Detail, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
15 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
8. Nautilus Shell, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
20.00 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
9. Stones, 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
3 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
10. Ceiling at The Tech Museum, San Jose, California 2012
iPhone,
1/120 second at f/2.4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
11. Sunbeams and Fog, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/750 second at f/8, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
12. Sunbeams through Fog, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2000 second at f/2.8, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
13. Rock Formations, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
14. Hostas, New Boston, New Hampshire 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/120 second at f/2.4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
15. Ferns, New Boston, New Hampshire 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/20 second at f/2.4, ISO 80
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
16. Elderberry Leaves #5, Ahwahnee, California 2012, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
17. Pine and Clouds, Sierra Nevada, California 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/640 second at f/2.4, ISO 50
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
18. Half Dome at sunrise, Leidig Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
19. Gulls at sunrise, Natural Bridges State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
8 second at f/27, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
20. Yellow Maple Leaves, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/125 second at f/4.5, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
21. Yellow Maple Leave Impressions, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2 second at f/5.6, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
22. Oak and Pine, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/90 second at f/4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
23. Backlit Black Oaks, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/15 second at f/22, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
24. Bigleaf Maple and Merced River, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
6 second at f/27, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
25. Maple Leaves, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/4 second at f/9.5, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
26. Black Oaks in afternoon backlight, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
27. Merced River reflections, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
28. Oak reflections and the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/2 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
29. Oak reflections, El Capitan and the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
30. Willow Leaves, autumn, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1 second at f/4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
31. Oak Forest in Fog, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/6 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
32. Oaks and Fog, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/3 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
33. Oaks at sunrise, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E24mm f/3.5L,
1/10 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
34. Winter Sunrise over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/3 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
35. Sunrise clouds over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
36. Ice Pattern, Merced River, Yosemite National Park 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/32, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
37. Winter Sunset on Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
38. Winter Moonrise over Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1 second at f/11, ISO 800
Copyright © 2012 William Neill
Tags: canon eos 1ds mark III, Impressions of Light, Landscape Photography, Macro Photograph, nature patterns, Sierra Nevada Mountains, William Neill, williamneill.com, yosemite, yosemite valley
Hi Bill, thanks for directing me to Frank Grisdale’s site, which I didn’t know before!
His work is very interesting for me, I really enjoyed looking at his “Land” pictures.
Beautiful collection Bill, as always! My favorites are 2,5,7,10,20,21,30,33,36,38.
Love them all, and yet #10 and #21 really speak to me.
Wishing you a prolific 2013!
These are terrific, and I think #1 and #2 are in exactly the right place. They’re all beautiful in their own unique ways, though, and yet they blend aesthetically into a fine statement about the importantance of paying attention and being aware.
Congrats as always on such excellent art. From where I sit, 2012 was a very good year!
My 10 favorite were 1,3, 4, 15, 16, 22, 24, 25, 29, 34, . My favorite being 15.
Great work for 2012.
All good Bill. My choices are: 1,4,10,16,19,22,36.
#10 really grabs with the “what is it?”, and #22 with the quality of light.
Cheers!
I know this is a bit late in the piece, but here are my choices: 36, 34, 20, 15, 10, 9 and 6, with nos. 36 and 34 being topmost faves — absolutely beautiful. Your work is inspiring to me, as a used-to-be landscape photographer, and I wish you well with whatever direction you go this year.
You are not late, I’m late in deciding my top ones out of this group!
I also am a little late with my favorites. They are 5, 6, 16, 19, 27, 29, 34, and 38. I have a hard time choosing the best because they are wonderful, but I would have to say it is #34.
You inspired me to make a list of my top 12 landscape pics from 2012. I would be curious to learn your opinions.
http://pdpetersonphoto.com/blog/?p=277
4!
27. Haunts me!
Sorry to be a bit late! Your images are inspiring! My choices are 1,2,4,6,7,9,16,19,22,32.
Peter
Awesome and very inspiring!, I Love 1,3,5,6,7,9,11,20,22,27,29,33,34,38. My favorite is # 29 for now! Thank You Mr.Neill, I love your photographs!
I am overwhelmed with all of your feedback. Next time I need to use a “survey type” posting of images that will tally the votes!
Bon truc. Merci. Je reviendrai pour tinnitusmiracle apprendre quoi d’autre vous devez dire.
[...] Part of the process is going through my images from the past year. About the time I started doing that, a photographer whose work I follow, William Neill, mentioned this article he had written a couple of years ago about the benefits of reviewing your images from the past year. So I was inspired to combine the two processes. [...]
Thanks. I am glad that the article helped you!