Retrospective Anticipation: WPC
“Thank the past for all the lessons it taught you; anticipate the future for all the blessings it has in store for you.”
Matshona Dhilwayo
As photographers, we continually practice anticipation as we work to capture life’s special moments. The reward for our patience is a remarkable library of memories that we can enjoy again and again in retrospect. As recently noted in The Daily Post, this is a perfect time to consider a year-end review of our blogs. Going a step further, I thought it would be fun not only to revisit some 2016 favorites, but also to compare them with selections of similar subjects from prior years.
I’ve opened with one of my personal 2016 favorites (also one of yours), a weather-worn shrimp boat, nets extended, headed out to sea in anticipation of a good catch. It reminded me of a photo I made in 2010 during a trip to Southeast Asia, featuring two boats moored in a harbor. Their weather-beaten appearance led me to create a vintage look using textures and effects.
“When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
Bob Hope
“Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.”
Norman Cousins
I have always loved nature, and trees in particular. One of this year’s highlights was a 2-day session with famed photographer Joyce Tenneson focused specifically on trees as art. My capture above was a vertical pan post-processed with Nik’s Silver Efex Pro 2. There is something so striking about a simple B&W, especially one with strong graphic lines.
Some favorite trees from years past took a more colorful approach. First, a capture I made during a glorious sunrise at nearby Botany Bay. I was honored to have it chosen for publication in Charleston’s largest newspaper’s annual magazine special. It is followed by a personal favorite from nearby Ace Basin, also captured at sunrise as beautiful light filtered through moss-laden oak trees.
“Retrospect: the sweetener of life.”
Kamand Kojouri
No review of 2016 would be complete without mention of Hurricane Matthew – our first mandatory evacuation since moving here 16 years ago. We were fortunate to suffer only minor damage from the storm, although many neighboring islands were not so lucky. We were able to find a beautiful “evac-u-cation” spot about 4 hours north in Greenville, SC.
“We need the sweet pain of anticipation to tell us we are really alive.”
Albert Camus
Speaking of storms here in the south, the incredible power of 2004’s winter storm Leon comes immediately to my mind. While they didn’t last, the amazing ice sculptures delivered on a cold day in January were a photographer’s dream and a warm-blooded southern girl’s nightmare!
“So much of our time is spent in preparation, routine and retrospect, that the amount of each person’s genius is confined to a very few hours.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In 2016 I featured the two little beauties below, captured during a hike with good friends in Asheville, NC. How sweet of them to stop and pose for me smack in the midst of a field of brilliant yellow flowers 🙂.
“The anticipation of discovering new possibilities becomes my greatest joy.”
Jerry Uelsmann
Of course, when thinking of the beauty of the many animals with whom we share our planet, I am immediately drawn to remember our life-changing 2006 trip to Botswana and South Africa.
“One day in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.”
Sigmund Freud
Hopefully your anticipation of my second set of 2016 favorites compared to prior years’ efforts is a positive one! Look for more to come in my next post. In the meanwhile, here’s hoping your holiday preparations are complete and you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the season.
really spectacular shots….loving the three live oaks….so inviting!!
Magnificent photos in your gallery, Tina. And what a beautiful new design for your blog! 🙂
Thanks Dina, feedback much appreciated!
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Very beautiful photographs Tina!
A beautiful year in review Tina – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!!
tina – what an eloquent and reflective post…. it was nice to journey with you and I knew many of the pieces, which reminds me I have followed your blog for a while now. that is fun.
and witth his:
” remarkable library of memories that we can enjoy again and again in retrospect”
sometimes it feels like
jam packed folders of photos that need to be sorted so they can be enjoyed… ha!
LOL Yvette, Thanks so much. I hear you loud and clear on the sorting thing – and don’t forget “backed-up”!!! happy holidays to you.
Beautiful Photo’s Again Tina!! Have a Wonderful Holiday and Even Better New Years if I don’t talk to you again by then!! 🙂 T.
Many thanks T, been a crazy week here but looking forward to a healthy 2017 – the best to you too!!
🙂
Tina, your photos are stunning. I am so late to comment because I seem to have stopped getting notifications from WordPress when you post…perhaps because I moved the website? I now have a Feedly account so that I don’t miss any more posts! Have a wonderful holiday!
Grace, thanks so much for tracking me down! Glad you enjoyed the post and wishing you the best of holidays and a wonderful 2017 >
Very lyrical interpretative, Tina. Great!
Thanks Svetlana – and Happy Holidays to you and yours! >
Wonderful recap, Tina. The Botany Bay photo remains one of my favorites. It’s so spectacular.
Thanks Jane, and happy holidays!
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You had fun, Tina! 🙂 That first frosticle photo is my favourite. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and another great year ahead.
Thanks Jo! Best to you as well!
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So much to enjoy in this wonderful retrospective. With your amazing photo library you should do one every week 🙂 Of course that Charcoal Forest is still my favourite. Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to Travels and Trifles in 2017.
Thanks so much Andrew – LOL on the weekly review. Not sure my followers would vote for that! All the best to you in 2017 >
Incredible photography!
Thanks very much Sunny Days! >
A remarkable post, Tina!! These photos tell stories, and quotes are inspiring, as always.
Many thanks Amy! >
Love all the photos and the memories Tina! The tree shots are lovely….they all are! Happy New Year!
Many thanks Nicole, and the same to you and yours! >
So much creativity Tina ! It really has been a pleasure to look back at some of your favourites as well as ours 🙂 One never stops learning and adding to skills , ways of seeing , mastering new skills whether that is with new kit or by processing techniques .. oh yes and enjoying taking the photographs in the first place 😉 Lovely , really lovely pictures to view again .
Many thanks Poppy – always enjoy seeing your name pop up! But what’s happened to your blogging?? Hope all is well on your end.
🙂 Tina … I think I’m overwhelmed by the sheer number of images I’ve taken they need looking through properly … I’m really hoping to get together a post this week before Christmas 😉
wow- the charcoal forest is an incredible photo!
Thanks very much – glad that one caught your eye!
enjoyed your images and stories. your tree images – new and old – are quite striking. i am quite a fan of silhouettes, so that sunset click is my fave.
thanks for sharing these beautiful moments. wishing you a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
And a wonderful Christmas to you too Kris, thanks for stopping by!
A wonderful look back…way back for some of these! The collection also reveals how one changes as a photographer, Tina. Fun to see your favorites again. Happy Holidays!
Thanks Jane – way back indeed!! Hope you have a terrific holiday too!!
A stunning end to the year!
Many thanks Kathy – very much appreciate your continued support!!
How lovely to see your photography. I hope you are doing well and getting ready to enjoy the holidays with your family.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy – appreciate your visit and comment and wish you a wonderful holiday season as well!
As always, superb photography and dialogue! Love the shrimp boat and the elephant, but all are wonderful.
Thanks very much, so glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for these T. I was totally mystified by the closeup on the elephant. His eye was so beautiful to me. Dar
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Many thanks Miss Darvelous!!! He was quite incredible in person 🙂
What an inspired and inspiring post, Tina. I am whelmed. Thank you, Lindy
Thanks so much Lindy – best to you and yours this holiday season.
Beautiful retrospective and quotes. I love that image of the elephant’s eye and the shrimp boat. Fabulous! Have a wonderful holiday and 2017, Tina. I’ve enjoyed our exchange of ideas this year and hope it continues for many years to come!
Thanks Patti – I’ve enjoyed it too and have every intention of staying with it until you give up on me LOL!! Happy holidays to you too.
Such beautiful images and wonderful quotes. I will remember them
Thanks very much DM!
Loved seeing your favorites (and quotes). I’ve gotten away from photography since moving, but I’m inspired. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Leslee – you must get back into photography! You have a wonderful eye girlfriend. Happy everything to you too!!
Such a treat for us to see some of your past beauties. I really admire the way you tackle these challenges, constantly surprising me in the way you think. Lovely quotes too. I wish you a lovely relaxing festive season and a fruitful photographic new year 🙂
Thanks so much Jude – and the same to you!! Blogging is such a nice outlet for our creative urges, don’t you think??
I certainly enjoy it and love visiting other bloggers through whom I get inspiration, information and free holidays!!
Excellent set of photos.
Thanks Victor
Wonderful images as ever, Tina! I especially enjoyed the ice sculptures as I don’t get to see anything like those here!
Thanks Sue, normally we don’t either! I suppose that’s why I was willing to brave the f-f-f-reezing cold to shoot them LOL.
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As always, I simply shake my head in admiration when I see what you have to offer. Thanks for another year of wonderful photos, excellent quotes (today I particularly like the first one), and interesting stories. Here’s to an even better 2017 for all of us.
janet
Thanks so much Janet, you’re very kind. Looking forward to lots of wonder and awe in 2017!!!
What do I think? Well, I think you have one of the best eyes for a photo and the skills to capture it anywhere around. And, this was a treat to see all these beautiful shots. 🙂
And I think you definitely made my day with this one Judy, many thanks!
Awesome captures – all of them!
Many thanks! Happy you enjoyed!
Beautiful photos, Tina. Every one is ‘my favorite’ until the next photo appears. Merry Christmas to you!
So glad you enjoyed this one Lois – and Merry Christmas to you too!
This is a wonderful retrospective, Tina. It showcases the different styles and topics you have ‘frozen in time’ very beautifully. My favorites are the icy captures, maybe because I cannot get that kind of shots here in central FL.
Thanks Tiny – I think that’s why I was willing to brave the (much-hated) cold that day, it was SO very unusual for us. The ice sculptures were incredible.
The twigs and berries encapsulated in the ice is stunning in its simplicity. Also, want to hear more about ‘life changing’…
Thanks Girlfriend! Hope all went well today – speaking of life changing!!!
Excellent.
Thanks Rabirius
I remember that Botany Bay tree – it’s spectacular! They all are, really. 🙂 Happy holidays to you!
Many thanks Lex – and happy holidays to you too!!
Fabulous shot as always, Tina. I was not so active in blogging this year. My times were consumed so much to do something else here and there. I do hope next year I will be more productive.
Thanks Nurul – hope your coming year brings you exciting adventures!
As usual, a beautiful gallery. I am just learning the power of Nik Tools. I see you’ve mastered Silver Efex Pro 2. That’s my favorite photo in the gallery. I have a lot of learning to do. Now to get started on my year in review!!
Thanks John – I’m a Nik fan too – most all of their products actually! Look forward to your annual review!