My Five Favorites from 2015

In my last post, I mentioned inviting 21 friends and fellow photographers to submit their five Favorite, not necessarily their five Best, images from 2015. Almost everyone participated, which created an amazing and inspiring collection of images. But even better, this exercise sparked many discussions ranging from practical techniques about how, to more esoteric questions about why, we made or chose a certain image. Much fun.

One of the more esoteric questions still being discussed was how to distinguish between a best and a favorite image. My conclusion, as I proffered in my last post, was that your best images would be interesting, technically sound, and what you intended, but to be a favorite, they also have to evoke an emotional response in you. What we’ve all found is, just like with songs or pieces of music, what moves one person may not register, or may even engender strong dislike, in another. That’s great; it makes us all different. (Some are more different than others, but we’ll ignore that for now…..)

So, here are my five favorites from 2015, with captions showing where they were made. I felt something special when I was drawn to make each image, and I still get that feeling when I look at each of these images. To me, that’s the very essence of a favorite.

Angel Oak, Johns Island, SC. (ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 on Nikon D810.)

Angel Oak, Johns Island, SC. (ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 on Nikon D810.)


Clouds over Abiquiu, NM. (Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 on Nikon D810.)

Clouds over Abiquiu, NM. (Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 on Nikon D810.)


Mossy Tree, Carmel Valley, CA. (Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 on Nikon D810.)

Mossy Tree, Carmel Valley, CA. (Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 on Nikon D810.)


Clouds over Ridgway, CO. (ZEISS 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar on Nikon D810.)

Clouds over Ridgway, CO. (ZEISS 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar on Nikon D810.)


American Beech Tree, Tremont Road, Fall, Smokies. (ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 on Nikon D810.)

American Beech Tree, Tremont Road, Fall, Smokies. (ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 on Nikon D810.)


All images and words ©2016 Tom Vadnais Photography

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