Twelve Months. Twelve Photographs.
It’s that time of year when we stop to reflect where we’ve been, and think about what’s next. I took inspiration from some incredibly beautiful places in 2017. I spent time with cherished friends in Europe and the Southwest. I came face to face with my own mortality. And then, with my husband’s mortality. (We are both ok, I’m glad to report!) I said goodbye to an old friend. And, I learned the importance of letting go, taking stock, and looking forward. My photography continues to be a place of solace for me — something I can return to again and again to find peace.
Today, I am sharing 12 photographs — one taken from each month of the year. Each photo has a story to go with it. Many of these images have been squirreled away all year and are only now being brought out in the light. This collection isn’t necessarily my “best of”, but each picture is a reminder of places visited and revisited.
JANUARY
Gary and I visited my old stomping grounds in Northern California at the beginning of 2017. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area now, which is often referred to as Northern California. But, having been born and raised in Redding, CA, I never thought of the Bay Area as being “northern” at all. Mt. Shasta. Now, that’s the real Northern California. This was taken during that magical time after the sunset, called “The Blue Hour”.
FEBRUARY
I cannot seem to stay away from Yosemite National Park for very long, especially when the waterfalls are gushing. The 2017 Winter was a wet one, and finally broke the back of our long, four-year drought. Record snow fell in the Sierra Nevada mountains, bringing much needed moisture to a dry state.
MARCH
Each year, my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary in Yosemite National Park. His special gift to me on our 27th year of marriage? He held the umbrella over my camera while I photographed my favorite waterfall in the pouring rain over the course of an hour at the crack of dawn. We had the place all to ourselves. I thought it was very romantic. Him, not so much.
APRIL
Gary and I meticulously planned a Spring road trip to the Southwest, but things turned out much differently than expected. A death in the family plus a death in our company’s family and a scary trip to a Utah emergency room shook us up. Not much photography happened during this trip, but I did get out on wobbly legs to see the giant cactuses of Saguaro National Park in the evening with our dear friends.
MAY
The month of May saw me back in Yosemite, and the blooming Dogwoods seemed to greet me with open arms. The snow in the high country was melting fast, and the meadows in the Valley were transformed into shallow lakes. I even saw a guy swimming backstroke in El Capitan Meadow! Photographically, it was a very productive trip. I was feeling more myself with every passing day and regaining my old strength.
JUNE
Our German friends generously invited us to come cruise around the island of Majorca, Spain on their yacht with them. Armed with one camera and one lens, I strove to make interesting photographs sans tripod as we pitched and rolled through the Mediterranean. After a while, I abandoned the faster shutter speeds and just threw caution to the wind. The boat provided the motion. The Mediterranean provided the color palette.
JULY
We stayed a week with an old friend in England and his beautiful family. Their home was an 18th century manor house with a magnificent cantilevered stone staircase and cast iron balustrade that seemed to float in the air.
AUGUST
The most challenging photograph I’ve ever made is this one. There was no practicing for photographing the solar eclipse, and no room for error. Everything had go exactly according to plan, and there were so many things that could have gone terribly wrong, but didn’t. As soon as the eclipse was over, I couldn’t wait to do it all over again.
SEPTEMBER
I had always wanted to photograph the Canadian Rockies, but I didn’t want to go there alone. Grizzlies, right? So, I signed up to go with a small group of photographers. As is often the case with landscape photography workshops, I was the only woman in the group. In a Suburban with my five companions, we chased light from one end of the Rockies to the other. I didn’t see any Grizzlies, but we saw Bighorn Sheep, and lots and lots of beautiful mountains.
OCTOBER
I had the pleasure of assisting Michael Frye for his Eastern Sierra Fall Color workshop in October. It was a talented, enthusiastic group of photographers, and I had a blast teaching and helping out in whatever way I could. The Eastern Sierra is home to some lovely Aspen groves. I prefer to photograph them like this — in the soft light after the sun has set and the colors are subdued.
NOVEMBER
I went alone to Zion National Park in November. When Gary and I had visited the park in April, I vowed to come back in the Fall to photograph the Autumn foliage. I spent a week there in all, hiked all over the place with my trusty Spot device on my pack should I need emergency assistance. Toward the end of the week, I finally got to hike The Narrows. If you haven’t done The Narrows, it involves hiking in the river for miles, and at times, the water is up to your hips. With camera gear, it can be tricky. But, it was breathtaking.
DECEMBER
Ending the year with a quick trip to Yosemite was the best way to wrap up 2017.
If you want to see more of my work from 2017, visit my website for a portfolio of Recent Work.
22 Comments
Wilma M Morgan
Beautiful photographs. I have a favorite photo of my own of aspens in New Hampshire. One of my favorite trees. I enjoy your blog. I can travel awe some places without leaving home.
charlottegibb
I’m glad you are enjoying my blog, Wilma! New Hampshire is a state I’ve been through only once, on my way from Boston to Vermont. I’d love to go back and really spend some time there one day.
Rick Jones
I like them all, of course, but the misty Yosemte morning’s my favorite,❤️
charlottegibb
What’s not to like about Yosemite? Sometimes it feels like cheating taking photographs there.
David Welty
Very beautiful photos for the seasons. Thanks for posting the camera settings also, I always learn something I can apply next time. Happy New Year.
charlottegibb
Thanks, David! Camera settings can certainly be helpful, but sometimes they can be confusing unless you know the conditions at the time. For example, if there is wind, then a faster shutter speed will be called for and thus higher ISO, all of which won’t necessarily be obvious to the viewer. So, feel free to ask if you ever have a question about my settings!
John Osman
Beautiful series – and not necessarily your “best of” for 2017! Most of us would be delighted to have taken just one of them in a year.
charlottegibb
Thanks, John! While a few of the images I included would certainly qualify as “best of”, I tried to include some that I hadn’t shared before, but still meant something to me personally.
John and Niki
Wow Charlotte. Much good work here; every one is beautiful. And well chosen for its month. We would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.
PS- glad to hear you and Gary are well. Best wishes for the new year.
charlottegibb
Hi John! I’m glad that you and Niki are enjoying my photographs. From one nature person to another, I know you two can relate to my love of the outdoors. Happy New Year to you too! Gary says hi!
Chris
Your talent is obviously evolving and becoming more refined. The color highlights are more natural and at times, appropriately subtle. Your BW technique shines as well, evidenced by the Steeple Aston shot which I find stunning and shows how how the absence of color can be an enhancement. This is indeed a perfect shot taking advantage of the natural symmetry it offers and is perfectly positioned showing scope and depth. The windows add light and a complimentary view of the outside world where the character of the old building next door is subtly apparent as it is screened by the floral texture of the shrubs, not suffering the lack of color. The light and shadows are distinctly captured as is the detail of the railing and balusters as they wind down to the plant at the bottom, yet another subtle focal point. Well done!
charlottegibb
Hi Chris, thanks for your comment and astute critique of “Stairway to Heaven”. The title of the piece holds the key to a deeper, symbolic message embedded in the composition. Can you spot it?
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charlottegibb
A great list of photographers, Jim! Thanks for keeping this great idea going year after year!
Simon Ng
Lovely work. I can only aspire to the quality of your art. And I like the fact that your choices were driven by story and not simply by the label of ‘best’. First and foremost, our Photography must speak to us.
charlottegibb
That’s very kind of you, Simon. Sometimes I wonder if I’m more of a storyteller than a photographer! I do like to write and share stories though. Photography/writing both make me very happy. Best to you and your own artistic journey!
Alan Majchrowicz
Wow, what an outstanding selection of images! January, February, and March are my favorites, absolutely stunning! Keep up the good work in 2018! BTW I’ve been photographing solo in the Canadian Rockies and other bear populated wilderness locations for many years, both front country and extended backpacks. I have never had or come close to having a bear encounter. It seems the only time I ever see bears is when I’m driving down a highway in my vehicle. Guess I’d make a lousy wildlife photographer. That’s just me though.
Patrick McMillan
I only recently discovered your web site and have just begun to explore it. Superb work! Excellent images! I was struck by the Ponderosa backstory. As the recipient of of similar gestures on more than one occasion, I can attest that nothing bespeaks true love like standing in the rain while making sure your spouse’s camera gear stays dry. Happy anniversary (2017 was our 27th, also) and kudos to your husband.
Richard Wong
I really like the soft quality of the light in your work, Charlotte. Great stuff!
Todd Henson
Wow! This is a really, really nice collection of images, Charlotte. They are all beautiful in one way or another, some with a real ethereal quality that appeals to me. My favorite is A Storm’s A Comin’, just beautiful light and atmosphere. I hope you have a productive and healthy 2018!
Linda Brien
Just found your website through ‘Infocus’ newsletter, the photos are amazing, I love the abstract ones and the one in Bicester, an area I know well, and I’m pleased you enjoyed your time in my home country, England, I would love to be able to capture our forestry the way you have for California, and I’m going to be in the Pacific North West later this year so took inspiration from your wonderful photographs.
You’re now a ‘go to’ site for me. Thanks
Doug
I found your website through google, and i honestly think your photos are amazing. I also love the abstract ones and the one in Bicester. It is a home away from home.