Impressions of Light « William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog

Posts Tagged ‘Impressions of Light’

Best Photographs of 2015

Friday, December 16th, 2016

It is that time of year again for Best of the Year photographs. Except that last year I did not post a Best of 2015. So here it is. Better late than never they say. I’ve included 40 photographs shown in chronological order, enough to give you a sense of the range of styles and subjects I explored. No exotic adventurous travel in 2015 like my Antarctica trip in 2014.

In August, I made a switch in to the Sony A7R2 camera. I wrote an essay about the switch in my Outdoor Photographer Magazine column. Nothing revolutionary or new in my thoughts, just some excitement about the improved technology of the latest sensors.

I’d love to get your feedback in the Comments below.

NOTE: I still am using my Canon lenses using the Metabones Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Lens Mount Mark IV Adapter. When I exported these images from Adobe Lightroom to my WordPress, the software reads the file data to show the wrong lenses, Sony instead of Canon.

Crystalline ice formation Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
3 second at f/16, ISO 100

Ice Crystals, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/2 second at f/6.7, ISO 100

Crystal Ice and oak leaf, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/1 second at f/16, ISO 100

Ice and Grasses, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1 second at f/19, ISO 100

Ice and Grass, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1.50 second at f/19, ISO 100

Cottonwood Impressions, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/6 second at f/32, ISO 100

Winter Forest, Pocono Mountains, Deleware State Forest, Pennsylvania 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/6 second at f/22, ISO 100

Dogwood Blossoms and Sky, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/750 second at f/9.5, ISO 800

Dogwood Blossom, early spring, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/90 second at f/5.6, ISO 400

Dogwood blooming, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/32, ISO 200

Dogwood Blossoms, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1 second at f/27, ISO 200

Dogwood Blossom Tapestry, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/22, ISO 400

Dogwood Blossom Sunset, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/32, ISO 800

Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2000 second at f/8, ISO 200

Lupine Impressions, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/8, ISO 200

El Capitan reflected in Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM +2x,
1/4 second at f/19, ISO 100

Bridalveil Fall and clouds, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1000 second at f/3.5, ISO 100

Half Dome and Clearing Spring Storm, Yosemite National Park, California 2013
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/350 second at f/19, ISO 200

Morro Bay Impressions, Morro Bay, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/13, ISO 100

Sunset , Morro Bay, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/27, ISO 100

Sunset and surf, Morro Bay, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2 second at f/22, ISO 100

Gull, surf and fog, Morro Bay, California 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/27, ISO 100

Ripples and reflection #2, La Mirada, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 90mm F2.8,
1/1000 second at f/2.8, ISO 100

Ripples and reflection, La Mirada, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 90mm F2.8,
1/1000 second at f/2.8, ISO 100

Ripples and reflection #3, La Mirada, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 90mm F2.8,
1/640 second at f/2.8, ISO 100

Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora pacifica), Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California
ILCE-7RM2, 16-35mm F2.8 G SSM II,
1/250 second at f/8, ISO 3200

Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora pacifica), Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California
ILCE-7RM2, 16-35mm F2.8 G SSM II,
1/200 second at f/8, ISO 3200

Pebbles 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 90mm F2.8,
1 second at f/16, ISO 100

Rocks and Surf, Big Sur, California
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
30 second at f/14, ISO 400

Sunrise, Rocks and Surf, Monterey Bay, Pacific Grove, California
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
8 second at f/22, ISO 100

Rocks and Surf, Pacific Grove, California
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
30 second at f/29, ISO 100

Calla Lily Flowers 2015
PureShot for Apple iPhone 5, iPhone 5 back camera 4.12mm f/2.4,
1/20 second at f/2.4, ISO 50

Big-Leaf Maple fallen on windshield, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park,
PureShot for iOS, iPhone 6s Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2,
1/30 second at f/2.2, ISO 160

Autumn Snowstorm, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 400

Autumn Snowstorm, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1/10 second at f/13, ISO 400

Autumn Oaks and Snowstorm, Yosemite National Park, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1/5 second at f/16, ISO 400

Fog and Pecan Grove, Clovis, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1/2 second at f/25, ISO 200

Pecan Grove, Clovis, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1/2 second at f/22, ISO 100

Pecan Grove and fog, Clovis, California 2015
ILCE-7RM2, 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM,
1.30 second at f/29, ISO 100

Forest, Padden Creek, Bellingham, Washington
ILCE-7RM2, 16-35mm F2.8 G SSM II,
3 second at f/16, ISO 125

Tags: black and white, Impressions of Light, Landscape Photography, Macro Photograph, national park, Nature, nature patterns, photograph, Sierra Nevada Mountains, William Neill, williamneill.com, yosemite, yosemite valley
Posted in Ansel Adams, Fine Art Photographs, Fine Art Prints, Inspiration, Landscape Photography, National Parks, The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite National Park | 10 Comments »

My Favorite Photographs from 2014

Saturday, January 3rd, 2015

Happy New Year! I finally put together my favorite photographs from 2014. It is always helpful to take the occasional assessment of our own creative progress. You might be interested in reading an essay I wrote on the subject five years ago in my On Landscape column for Outdoor Photographer on this subject. 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 year.

If you have been following my work this past year, you know that my big trip of the year was to Antarctica last January. Click here to read my Outdoor Photographer magazine On Landscape column, and recent Antarctic Dreams portfolio in OP and see below!

I have numbered each image, which will make it easier for you 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. My criteria for that final selection will be based on which images I feel best represent my personal vision and style rather than the most popular ones. If you have your own post of top images for 2014, please add your link in your comments below.

I look forward to your comments and favorites for my 2014 portfolio. Enjoy and please share with your friends!

I wish you a year full of the gifts of nature, peace and love, Bill

PS The photographs below are in chronological order.

Yosemite Private Workshops

wpid4923-Clouds-and-Shadows-Bransfield-Strait-Antarctica-2014__Copyright-©-2014-William-Neill.jpg
1. Clouds and Shadows, Bransfield Strait, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2x III,
1/8000 second at f/9.5, ISO 800

2. Morning light, Gerlache Strait, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2x III,
1/1000 second at f/11, ISO 1600

3. Icebergs, Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2x III,
1/350 second at f/16, ISO 1000

4. Ancient crystal Iceberg, Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/750 second at f/16, ISO 1600

5. Blue Icebergs, Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/750 second at f/22, ISO 1600

6. Two Humpback Whales and Iceberg, Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/1500 second at f/11, ISO 800

7. Iceberg Caves, Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/4000 second at f/11, ISO 800

8. Chinstrap Penguin, Hydrurga Rocks, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/180 second at f/19, ISO 800

9. Iceberg formations, Pleneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula 2014 January 30, 2014 05:54:08
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/350 second at f/8, ISO 400

10. Iceberg Towers at Dawn, Pleneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
January 30, 2014 05:58:54
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/4000 second at f/2.8, ISO 400

11. Iceberg Arch, Pleneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/500 second at f/9.5, ISO 400

12. Sculpted Iceberg Wall, Pléneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/2000 second at f/13, ISO 400

13. Crabeater seal resting on an iceberg, Pléneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/350 second at f/9.5, ISO 400

14. Sunset, Pleneau Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014 January 30, 2014 22:04:34
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/1500 second at f/6.7, ISO 800

15. Glaciers, Scontorp Cove in Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsia, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4x III,
1/1500 second at f/19, ISO 800

16. Mountains and Glaciers at Scontorp Cove, Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsia, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4x III,
1/1500 second at f/16, ISO 800

17. Gentoo Penguin and two chicks, Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2x III,
1/1000 second at f/9.5, ISO 400

18. Gentoo Penguin colony, Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM,
1/250 second at f/32, ISO 400

19. Chinstrap Penguins, Baily Head on Deception Island, Antarctica 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2x III,
1/350 second at f/16, ISO 800

20. Seastacks at Sunset, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park. Washington 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
3 second at f/22, ISO 100

21. Ferns, Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM,
15 second at f/19, ISO 100

22. Avalanche Lily, Olympic National Park, Washington 2014
iPhone 5, iPhone 5 back camera 4.12mm f/2.4,
1/200 second at f/2.4, ISO 50

23. Lavendar Fields, Sequim, Washington 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/90 second at f/16, ISO 400

24. Aspen Forest Impressions , June Lake Loop, Inyo National Forest, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1 second at f/19, ISO 100

25. Backlit Aspen, June Lake Loop, Inyo National Forest, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM,
1/250 second at f/16, ISO 640

26. Autumn Reflections, Lundy Canyon, Inyo National Forest, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/15 second at f/32, ISO 400

27. Last Light, Conway Summit, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/15 second at f/19, ISO 200

28. Aspen Forest Impressions , Lee Vining Canyon, Inyo National Forest, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
3 second at f/9.5, ISO 100

29. Aspen Leaves, Lee Vining Canyon, Inyo National Forest, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
3 second at f/32, ISO 200

30. Autumn Elm and Sunbeams, Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/180 second at f/22, ISO 200

31. Yellow Maples, Cedar and Pine, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/16, ISO 640

32. Cottonwoods reflected, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/6 second at f/22, ISO 100

33. Maples Leaves and Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM +2x,
1/1 second at f/45, ISO 400

34. Grasses and El Capitan reflected in the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/6 second at f/32, ISO 200

35. Autumn Leaves and Ripples, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/250 second at f/2.8, ISO 800

36. Grasses reflected, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1000 second at f/2.8, ISO 800

37. Grasses and reflections in the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/350 second at f/2.8, ISO 200

38. Maple leaf and autumn reflections, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/60 second at f/4.5, ISO 320

39. Thimbleberry Leaves, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
2 second at f/32, ISO 400

40. River otters, American River, Sacramento, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM,
1/350 second at f/5.6, ISO 1250

Tags: Impressions of Light, Landscape Photography, Macro Photograph, national park, nature patterns, William Neill, williamneill.com, yosemite valley
Posted in Antarctica, Apple iPhone, Fine Art Photographs, Fine Art Prints, Impressions of Light, Inspiration, Landscape Photography, National Parks, Nature, Nature's Design, Patterns of Nature, photography, Sierra Nevada, The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite National Park | 45 Comments »

Yosemite Autumn Explorations

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

During late October and early November, I spent seven days in Yosemite Valley working with private students. We explored many of my favorite locations along the Merced River and in the many meadows around the Valley.

During these sessions, I worked closely with each student on refining their compositions, handling various lighting conditions and dealing with any technical issues that arose. One of my main focuses while teaching is helping with aesthetic decisions to better enable them to express their own personal response and vision of the landscape before them. When working one to one and side by side, I can show you my own decision-making process as I create new images. I also worked with those students interested in how I create my Impressions of Light images.

if you are interested in learning from me, see my Yosemite Private Workshops! To see photographs by those who have attended my sessions, visit my Flickr group page which includes images from all seasons!

William Neill Private Yosemite Workshops Flickr Page

Below is a small portfolio from our sessions. Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below, tell your favorite photographs, and share with friends.

To all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving Day, Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for the love of my friends and family, and the profound beauty I see in the world around me everyday. I am also thankful for the gift of being able to share my photographs with others for the past 30 years. Thank you for following!

Ride the Light, Bill

Autumn Elm and Sunbeams, Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California 2014
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/180 second at f/22, ISO 200
Copyright © 2014 William Neill

Tags: Impressions of Light, Landscape Photography, national park, Nature, nature patterns, photograph, photography, William Neill, williamneill.com, yosemite, yosemite valley
Posted in field instruction, Fine Art Photographs, Fine Art Prints, Impressions of Light, Inspiration, Landscape Photography, Morning Light, National Parks, Nature, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park | 4 Comments »

50% eBook Sale! The William Neill eBook Collection. Buy all 4 eBooks for $15.00.

Friday, November 29th, 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 50% OFF EBOOK SALE!

Starting today, I have reduced the price of my eBooks by 50%. If my photography is new to you, you can now purchase The William Neill eBook Collection, all 4 eBooks, for $15.00. If your collection is not complete, each individual title is now only $5.00.

For more information on each eBook, and to purchase, see my online store, William Neill eBooks and iPad app.

If you have some or all of my eBooks, and have enjoyed them, please share with you friends!

Sale ends on December 2, 2013.

On this Thanksgiving holiday, I greatly appreciate your interest and support of my photography. I am living the dream, pursuing my passion for nature and photography for the past 30 years.

Thank you all! Bill

Tags: 4x5, 4x5 Film, canon eos 1ds mark III, Impressions of Light, Landscape Photography, large format photography, photograph, photography, William Neill, williamneill.com, yosemite
Posted in eBooks, Fine Art Photographs, Impressions of Light, Inspiration, Landscape Photography, Macro Photography, National Parks, Nature, photography, Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park | 2 Comments »

Yosemite Spring!

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

During the past month, I made many trips to nearby Yosemite Valley, and so I’d like to share a collection of these new images. Even though I have lived in or near Yosemite since 1977, I found fresh compositions and light/weather conditions that made for invigorating sessions, and new work for my ongoing Yosemite portfolio. What made this spring season more special was that I was able to share my love and vision of Yosemite with private workshop students.

Many of my students have shared the photographs created on my William Neill Private Yosemite Workshops Flickr Group page. This collection also includes images from last fall and winter, which will give you an idea of the photographic opportunities for those seasons too. Here are some of my images from last fall: Yosemite Autumn. One of the images was the feature image in my Outdoor Photographer column entitled Natural HDR.

If you are interested in exploring Yosemite’s autumn color season, now is the time to make room reservations, and book a day or two with me. The peak of color is generally late October and early November. Please note that I am also happy to work with small groups. If you have any questions about the possibilities, just send me an email.

William Neill Private Yosemite Workshops

If you have a favorite image from below, or comments, please add below!

Ride the Light,

Bill