Rotorua Museum of Art and History
The 'golden hour' - before sunset - is my favorite time for photography; about half of the photographs in this year's '10 Favorites' list were taken around this time. This photograph shows a striking building - the Rotorua Museum (a former bath house in the thermal resort town of Rotorua, New Zealand) - lit by the setting sun in late summer. (March 5, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/1000s @ f/7.1, 28mm, ISO 200.)
Frying Pan Lake
This is one photograph where I was glad to have my wide-angle (10mm) lens on hand. This is the world's largest hot spring - up to 200m wide - located in New Zealand's Waimangu Thermal Valley. It was formed following a volcanic eruption in 1886. (March 6, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/7.1, 10mm, ISO 200.)
"California Majesty"
This photograph was a surprise. While hiking in northern California's Grant Ranch County Park, I hiked to the top of a hill, looking for a panoramic view. But instead, I was struck by the sight of this stunning California Live Oak, back-lit by the late afternoon sun. (April 6, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/250s @ f/6.3, 11mm, ISO 200.)
Ward Charcoal Ovens
These ovens - in a remote part of Nevada, USA - were used in the late 1800s to prepare charcoal for use in nearby silver mines. I like the composition formed by the line of identical ovens, receding into the distance. (June 2, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/1600s @ f/5.6, 16mm, ISO 200.)
Grizzly Bear!
This is unquestionably my single favorite photograph of 2014; it's one that I'd been trying to get for a long time. While driving through Glacier National Park in Montana, USA, I saw several cars stopped by the side of the road. A grizzly bear was grazing on vegetation, just 50m or so from the road! I was ready to run quickly back to my car should the bear decide to charge, but fortunately it was content to just stay there, grazing (and glancing at the curious humans). (June 8, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/50s @ f/7.1, 300mm, ISO 220.)
"Pacific Coast Sunset"
When I first took this photograph (at Pescadero Beach, in northern California), I wasn't expecting much - but I liked the contrast between the orange-red sky and the blue sea, and the silhouetted vegetation in the foreground. (August 24, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/60s @ f/10, 85mm, ISO 200.)
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Death Valley, California, is a harsh place. Even during this late September afternoon, it was exceptionally hot: about 110 F (43 C). I liked this telephoto view of Mesquite Sand Dunes - in particular, the shadow formed by ridge between two of the dunes' peaks. (September 25, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/18, 300mm, ISO 200.)
Busselton Jetty
I like to use the 'Rule of Thirds' as a guideline when composing shots. This photograph of Western Australia's Busselton Jetty - the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere - is a good example. I like the way that the sky, sea, and beach form distinct stripes, each taking up about a third of the frame. (November 28, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/200s @ f/10, 28mm, ISO 200.)
Wave Rock
When I create a HDR ("High Dynamic Range') image (from multiple bracketed exposures), I usually try for a natural look. In this case, however, I liked this image - produced by the Photomatix software's "Deep" algorithm - because it seemed reminiscent of a water color painting. Wave Rock is a remarkable erosion-formed cliff in Western Australia. (December 2, 2014. Nikon D5000, exposure blending from a 3-shot bracketed exposure @ f/8, 15mm, ISO 200.)
"Black Sand Dune"
The northwest coast of New Zealand's North Island is notable for its black sand beaches (formed by magnetite). This photograph of Lake Wainamu - just inland from Auckland's Bethell's Beach - at dusk provides a striking contrast: A black sand dune in the foreground, with a lake and tracts of native bush behind. (December 30, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/400s @ f/7.1, 20mm, ISO 200.)