2024 A Year in Review
Looking back at 2024, now, in the early stages of 2025, it has become evident that I photograph a lot of the same places. It makes sense as I lead photography workshops to a lot of the same places year after year and I spend time in those locations scouting and exploring, even when I am not teaching. But what I find both a little surprising is how I keep finding new subjects to photograph. The “been there done that” never actually happens and I find that incredibly rewarding. This deeper connection with locations only strengthens my desire to revisit them over and over again.
New Zealand
From 2015-2018, I co-led workshops to New Zealand with fellow photographer Josh Cripps. Those were some great times and I always carved out spare time to explore different parts of the south island. Fast forward to 2024 and I finally made it back for a vacation with my girlfriend. I still got to play tour guide, but I also had the camera out the entire way. Highlights included the milky way over the Church of the Good Shepherd and grabbing a blue hour shot after the sunset crowds left and then getting milky way images later from across the river to be away from the crowds at night. Yes, it is a composite from two locations less than 1/4 mile apart but both looking in the same direction. Another highlight was stumbling across some coastal gems at both old and new locations.
Olympic Peninsula
I couldn’t post about 2024 without mentioning the aurora show that happened in May. I was leading a small group on the Olympic Peninsula and no one had heard the news, so I had the opportunity to be the messenger of what was to come. The weather was clear and as we waited post-sunset, the first signs of activity kicked in about 10pm. We left a little after midnight. Exhausted but oh so worth it! I also managed to get an image from Hall of Mosses that I like. The forest is still a challenging place to photograph, but I did write an article on it this past year.
Summer Highlights
The summer provided some “striking” highlights. Not the greatest lightning photo, but still very fun to try and capture. I also found a new angle on a waterfall I’ve photographed before which required a little scrambling and I visited Steptoe Butte in late summer to see a new palette of colors over the rolling hills of Palouse.
Oregon Coast
I got to spend some quality time along the Oregon Coast for both a private client and a group workshop. Spending two weeks from Bandon up to Cannon Beach, I not only got my fill of the beauty of the coast, but I also discovered my new favorite fish and chips! I wrote a trip report with more images if you want to take a look. Bandon provided some amazing light and rainbows along with a clear evening to photograph that comet everyone was talking about in October. I truly appreciate the coast for what it does to my well being. It’s a soul revitalizer for me.
Death Valley
Death Valley never ceases to amaze me. I did some scouting after my California Coast workshop in preparation for a group the following month. The previous year’s flood certainly must have changed the appearance of the valley and it definitely did. I spent a lot of time looking for new smaller scenes and quite a few required focus stacking. This led me down a path to try third party software such as Helicon and Zerene Stacker as Photoshop’s results were less than adequate. I plan on writing a follow-up article to my focus stacking post sometime in the near future once I have more time to spend with each software.
I also had a memorable morning up at Dante’s View with a sunrise that transformed and unfolded in the most beautiful way. I shot a timelapse which at normal speed is over a minute. Here is a condensed version.
Thanks for viewing and I look forward to what 2025 brings. I wish you a prosperous new year full of amazing moments.
Best to you all,
Jim Patterson
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Jim, outstanding work. You’re turning into a world class photographer! CONGRATS! By the way I hope the Out of Chicago events have been worthwhile.