2014: A Year In Pictures by Alpha Whiskey Photography

Everyone says it but it still surprises me how increasingly quickly the years go by. It seems like just yesterday I was barracked inside a heaving crowd of Londoners shooting the fireworks to welcome 2014. Come to think of it, it’ll be 2015 in a short while and I still vividly remember 1985!

Well, another wonderful year, if only in the sense that I was still alive during it and enjoyed myself no end. A little light on foreign travel, clocking in Croatia and the Czech Republic, but plenty of trips around the UK, no less a stunning country in its own right. As well as plenty of day trips to places like Lincoln and Salisbury, I visited Scotland for the first time, shooting through the Lake District en route. Scotland is a beautiful place with warm and friendly people, and the western Isles of Cumbrae and Arran offered some spectacular views. Later in the year I was pleasantly surprised by the Isle Of Man and the sheer variety of its scenery, sunsets and history; a truly amazing place.

A few more National Trust and English Heritage venues, including Ightham Mote and Audley End House, and the annual autumn foliage at Sheffield Park and Garden and Winkworth Arboretum.

Not much wildlife this year, although I started the year at the butterfly exhibit at RHS Wisley once again, as well as capturing some of the deer in Richmond Park. Took in some herons in Regent’s Park and some beautiful cats at Paradise Park.

Quite a few photowalks this year, including one with Nasim Mansurov, the founder of Photography Life, during his visit to London. This city always has something else to shoot.

A few more attempts at shooting food again, as cooking gratifies my lust for both visual and gastronomic delights. I even visited a chocolate festival.

Did I improve much photographically? As my body of work increases, so does, I think, my eye for composition, and I’m increasingly leaning to shoot more in black and white. Denuding an image of colour emphasises the freedom of its shapes and forms, and the abstract is as rewarding as realism.

I continued to be impressed with the Olympus EM-5 and still enjoy using it. Sold the Panasonic 14mm F/2.5 and acquired the terrific Olympuses 60mm F/2.8 and 12-40mm F/2.8. The latter is soon to be joined by its bigger sibling, the 40-150mm F/2.8.

I made the finalist list of three photographic competitions, including the international TZIPAC awards and the Olympus Protégé contest. I had work published in Amateur Photographer magazine and was invited to write a few articles for Photography Life, which seemed to be generally well received. I must say I intend for my own blog to relate more to the art and enjoyment of photography than the need to discuss gear and peep pixels.

I had a children’s book published this year and then wrote another one, so that kept me occupied, especially in recent months. Very little photography in that time; the November fireworks were one notable exception.

As I hinted at the end of last year, photography is a means for me to express and enjoy my love for life. The desperate and insecure craving for material gain is a shackle that other people have to bear. Ever the optimist, I look forward to another year on this planet; healthy, clothed, fed, and still holding my camera. And even as I notch up ever more mileage, both travelled and lived, I continue to believe that there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

Thank you for visiting Alpha Whiskey Photography.

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Comments

Brenda MarshDec 30, 2014 03:23 PM

Great quality - and a special photographer's 'eye' here. Thanks for sharing these and transporting us to other worlds.

Alpha Whiskey PhotographyDec 30, 2014 03:26 PM

Thank you Bee! :)

GenkaJan 2, 2015 02:06 AM

Great pictures and obviously you had a great year! Keep on making us happy showing us the world through you eyes!

Alpha Whiskey PhotographyJan 2, 2015 10:40 AM

Thank you Genka! I'll try! :)

Nasim MansurovJan 3, 2015 09:14 AM

Beautiful pictures Sharif! We should do some more shooting together, perhaps you can visit me this year in the US? :)

Alpha Whiskey PhotographyJan 3, 2015 09:36 AM

Thanks Nasim! Would be great to visit you! :)

kidrussellFeb 4, 2015 07:20 AM

Your photography is a constant inspiration. And your philosophy is right in step with mine. We have too much, and enjoy too little. Your work is certainly a bright spot. Thank you.