In Focus: Favorite Images of 2022
2022 marked my second full year of making photographs. Since picking up photography during the height of the pandemic in 2020, my approaches to photography have evolved. In 2022 I switched my focus to natural landscapes, developed new technical understandings behind making photographs, and changed my views on aspects within photography. Below are my favorite images of 2022 accompanied by the stories and experiences that went into making them.
Image #1: “Twilight Cascades” - Ottawa National Forest - February 2022
“Twilight Cascades” was made on a very cold morning on February 26th, 2022. I remember waking up at my Marquette Airbnb at 4:30am to drive the extra hour and forty minutes to get to this location. I’ll also never forget what my car’s temperature readout said: 1 degree (Fahrenheit). When I arrived to this location the steep hill leading down to the main parking lot wasn’t plowed, so I waited in my car before heading out to enjoy the now balmy 4 degree morning. When I begrudgingly turned off the car, I decided to slide down the hill on my butt and walk up the ice covered stairs (that where hard to traverse even with microspikes) to the upper cascades of this popular waterfall. I was met at this scene by another photographer who parked up the road from me after I arrived which had a nice flat walk from his car. Lesson learned.
This image to me represents the moment where my pre-visualizations of the image I wanted to make and planning blended perfectly. In the weeks leading up to February 26th, this area received significant snowfall, and the temperatures stayed well below freezing. I knew that the snow wasn’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon. In addition, this waterfall and it’s cascades flow year round, so I knew there would be open water. If it was a clear morning, I was sure I could catch some early morning light and make a meaningful image. It doesn’t happen often in nature photography, but when you plan and prepare and it all goes according to plan it’s an extraordinary feeling.
Image #2: “Autumn Amphitheater” - Ottawa National Forest - October 2022
“Autumn Amphitheater” was made on the rainy morning of October 6th. This location is off the beaten path and required some bushwhacking to get to. Upon leaving my car and entering the woods I opened my Gaia GPS app, and slowly traversed down into the canyon. I did manage to fall once or twice entering this canyon, which thankfully didn’t damage my gear but did hurt my ego. A small, rocky stream led back to this canyon wall with cascades of water flowing down onto moss covered rocks and a carpet of autumn foliage. I stayed at this location for the next 90 minutes, trying to craft an image that would showcase the majesty of this scene.
This image is one of my favorites because it represents to me a journey in the photographic process. When I first got into photography, I spent the first year taking images that would be popular on social media according to what others found interesting. In 2022, I started making images for myself. In 2022 I also decided that my focus was going to be on Michigan’s natural landscapes, as I find creating images of these subjects more befitting of the type of trips that I enjoy going on. This image, while there are many similar to it of the same scene, represents the anthesis of these ideals. I’ll never forget spending all morning in front of this amazing canyon draped in fall color and loving every minute of it.
Image #3: “Union River Medley” - Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - October 2022
“Union River Medley” is an image of exposed rocks littered with fall foliage along the Union River located within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This image showcases the smaller, more intimate beauty of the Porcupine Mountains opposed to the grand vistas (which are still outstanding) that many visitors flock to the Porkies each fall to see.
This image is my favorite image of 2022 due to the compositional qualities this image exemplifies. I spent about 20 minutes on the edge of the Union River crafting this scene. I spent that time tweaking this image ever so slightly, trying to fill and balance the frame with what was in front of me. I enjoy how the rocks in this image flow to the right along with the leaves, carrying the viewer through the scene. The soft, diffused light that afternoon also created a natural contrast in this scene that is better than anything that could be achieved in post processing. The correct Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed were all important to capture the perfect representation of this scene. This is an area I look forward to revisiting in the future.
I look forward to 2023 as I continue to grow as a photographer and continue my journeys across Michigan to capture more of the landscapes I am fortunate enough to call home.
Thanks for reading and supporting my work,
Josh