2013: A Year In Pictures by Alpha Whiskey Photography

Typical of my adult life, the year feels like it barely started and now it’s already over. But, once again, some amazing people in my life made it an immeasurably enjoyable year, filled with wonderful, hilarious, exciting and terrifying moments. If our lives are measured and remembered by these moments, then this year was a good life.

Below are snippets of snippets, a fleeting snapshot of some wonderful experiences that mere photos cannot do justice. Whether it was a day at an opulent mansion or crouching next to a wild alligator, enjoying a joust or getting drenched under a waterfall, this year was teeming with its generous share of awe.

Fewer trips abroad this year, but plenty of trips within the United Kingdom, fully appreciating how replete this land is with endless places of wonder. Towns such as Bristol and Cambridge, countless National Trust venues, and even a tour of Parliament all made it onto my radar.

Jena provided excellent company on our many photo-shoots, and Zuzana and I finally got back to our London tours. Bizhan and Linda accompanied Natalia and myself on a nine-hour hike through the Brecon Waterfalls. And my good friend Gene from New York visited London again, vicariously showing me just what a world-class

city this is.

As always with my dear friend Lisa, I ticked yet more things off my bucket list having visited her in Florida in February. That’s just how we roll :)

And Genka and Petar again managed to surprise and amaze me on my seventh trip to Bulgaria.

Photographically, I rarely deviated from postcard style that I find so gratifying, but I also moved more towards monochrome. Bizhan and I challenged ourselves to shoot with discipline and we succeeded. I also tried capturing my other favourite pursuit: food. And one of my favourite days of shooting was at my dear friend’s Zuzana’s graduation in July.

I care far less about gear than the majority of the internet crowd, but this year I acquired two new cameras. The Nikon D600 was bought in time for my trip to Florida, and after dropping it in August and awaiting its repair, I acquired the Olympus OMD EM-5, an absolute gem. The EM-5 and the three primes I bought with it have become my gear of choice. Extremely lightweight, with a wealth of useful features and excellent image quality, there is very little need for my DSLR gear, other than for wildlife. I even used the EM-5 to shoot my sister’s wedding.

My take on this past year is that I owe much to great friends, both here and abroad for their testament to the truth of our existence. It’s not about self-gratification, but sharing your experience with others, to inspire, to motivate, and to feed their souls. Others may crave material wealth and the superficial adulation of people they’ve never even met. As I head into a new year full of uncertainty, I know I am extremely rich with the unconditional love from incredible people that I am privileged to know.

Thank you all, and Happy New Year!

No comments yet.

Comments

gurminder kajol.Dec 31, 2013 06:47 AM

I got so touched with what you have written above. I would like to thank you for supporting me throughout the year and writing an article based on me. I would like to wish you all the very best in 2014 and truly your not only an amazing photographer but an amazing person. I am glad to know you:)

AlphaWhiskeyDec 31, 2013 07:02 AM

Same here Mindy!! Thank you so much! x

Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.comJan 1, 2014 09:31 PM

What an absolutely gorgeous pictorial review of the year--bravo, and may the new year be just as beautiful, if not more so, for you! Thanks for sharing these special moments.

AlphaWhiskeyJan 2, 2014 03:55 AM

Thank you Joy! :)

Frank WrightsonJan 4, 2014 03:23 AM

Fantastic Sharif, but I would not expect anything else. Happy New Year

AlphaWhiskeyJan 4, 2014 05:19 AM

Thanx Frank! :)

All fields are required.

Write a comment...

Comment successfully added.