My Favorites of 2025

In the past I would review my photos from the previous year, sort out my favorites, and then share them on social media. That seemed to work well, until recently, when the algorithms changed to promoting videos. Photographers sharing their still photography just didn’t get the same visibility anymore. So, in order to not be subject to social media’s algorithmic whims (or be limited to 10 images), I’ve decided to share my work on my own platform. This is my first attempt at sharing “My Favorites” in this blog type format.

I hope that you not only like this new format, but also enjoy my selections for 2025. I’ve “limited” my photo selections to 19 photos and provided a short back-story for each image with the equipment and settings I used….something I was not able to do when posting to social media. I know many of you are interested in this information in addition to viewing the images.

Please let me know, either through the comments or email, what you think of this format. Your feedback is important to me. I definitely want to make this a better product for you to enjoy.

Well, so much for the preamble. In no particular order, let’s take a look at my favorite images of 2025!

This is my favorite! Yes, I had to put this one first. My wife and I were spending a short vacation at Jekyll Island, GA, and of course I always bring my photo gear to take advantage of new photographic opportunities. Having done my research, I knew there was a beautiful beach on the north side of the island with old oak trees that have been encroached by the water. I set my alarm for 5 am (I know, just heinous on vacation), snuck out and drove the dark, vacant roads to the beach. I arrived well before sunrise to give me time to walk in the dark through the marsh and find the ideal composition. I found this tree, which is apparently fairly famous, and realized that this was the shot. I opted for a long exposure to smooth the water and streak the clouds just as the pre-dawn sky began to turn purple and orange. Silhouetting the tree added mystery and the sense of the pre-dawn darkness. Nikon D810 and Nikkor 20mm f 1.8 at f8 / 20 sec / ISO 64 / Kase 10-stop ND Filter.

This is the same tree from a bit of a different perspective. I had to slide a bit to my left to give another photographer some room (yes, I was not the only crazy one up at 5am). I had to extend the exposure time due to the increased light in order to keep the water smooth and the clouds streaked. I love the orange colors, the reflections, and the sun star cradled in the branches. Nikon D810 and Nikkor 20mm f 1.8 at f8 / 30 sec / ISO 64 / Kase 10-stop ND Filter.

One last image from my trip to Jekyll Island. This sunset was captured while walking along the waterfront at the The Club at Jekyll Island. The row of palms framed the Sidney Lanier Bridge perfectly. Unfortunately, the light by this time was so low I couldn’t hand hold the shot and I didn’t have my tripod with me (apparently my wife frowns on taking tripods on evening walks), so I had to improvise by carefully bracing the camera steady on the waterfront wall. Love the pastels. Nikon D810 and Tamron 35mm f 1.4 at f 1.4 / 1/40 sec / ISO 340.

One day I was Googling to find new photo locations and discovered Altamaha Heritage Preserve. This place is a hidden gem. Placed well off the main road and hidden to the point where if you didn’t know it was there you would miss it. After walking down a long straight trail I came to a large clearing along the marsh. What a view! And, oh the trees! I immediately started looking for compositions. I love this image. I used the Voigtlander 58mm lens in order to get those beautifully subtle colors and character. To me, this just whispers “Lowcountry”. Nikon D810 and Voigtlander 58mm f 1.4 at f 8 / 1/125 sec / ISO 64.

Sometimes you just look up and see beauty. While on St. Lucia for my son’s wedding I strolled around with my camera to see what I could find. It was April and there were these beautiful yellow blooms on the trees that contrasted beautifully with the blue Caribbean sky. I framed it so that the branch would lead you through the image, and that there was an even balance of blossoms and sky. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor 16-50mm f 3.5-6.3 at 50mm / f 11 / 1/200 sec / ISO 100.

I love macro (close up) photography. I especially like photographing leaves. Their texture, lines, various colors, and shapes make every image interesting. When I tell my wife that I was out photographing she will always ask, with a lot of sarcasm, if I got more leaves. Usually I say yes! Macro photography is a true challenge. Because of the magnification at such a close distance the depth of field is very narrow requiring multiple images at various focal points. Then, all of these individual photos need to be stacked (blended) together to form one image that is sharp from front to back. Sometimes it doesn't always work out, but when it does it’s just fantastic! Found these leaves lying on top of an old log at Kingfisher Preserve. near Savannah, SC. Nikon D500 and Tamron 90mm f 2.8 Macro at f 11 / 1/30 sec / ISO 100 (21 stacked images).

Not technically a leaf, but close enough. This was a dying palm that I saw at the edge of the clearing at Altamaha Heritage Preserve in Okatie, SC. I saw the leading lines and instantly thought this would be a great macro photo. Once again, I took numerous shots at various focal points and stacked the images in order to get sharpness front to back. The lines and color variations are what make this image so interesting. It also looks fantastic in black and white. Nikon D500 and Tamron 90mm f 2.8 Macro at f 11 / 1/13 sec /ISO 100 (11 stacked images).

Oh the character in this image! It just goes to show you that the glass you use makes a huge difference. The Voigtlander 58mm just gave the flower an enchanting softness and such a creamy background. I feel like you can just reach out and touch the petals. Nikon Z50ii and Voigtlander 58mm f 1.4 at f 2.8 / 1/250 sec / ISO 100.

I happened upon this leaf while on a waterfall tour in Dominica. Walking back on the trail I was looking around for anything that would catch my eye and there was this giant white leaf on the side of the trail. Yes, a leaf, and it was really white! Obviously, this image looks great in monochrome especially with the dark contrasting ribbing. I couldn’t take the time to do multiple macro shots, so I used my zoom lens to closely focus on the leaf. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor 24-200 f 4-6.3 at 98mm / f 11 / 1/40 sec/ ISO 2200.

Once again, my wife has the patience of a saint. We were walking around the Baltimore Inner Harbor when I saw this fantastic panorama open up. The still water, moody sky, and the expanse of the harbor screamed a pano. This is a 7 shot vertical pano beautifully stitched together. What’s amazing about this image, though, is that it was handheld! FYI…I love the blues. Nikon Z50ii and Voigtlander 23mm f 1.2 at f 8 / 1/1600 sec/ ISO 400.

Tryon Palace, the former Royal Governor’s residence in New Bern, NC was a must see when we stopped at New Bern on our way to Baltimore. This image begged to be in black and white. The texture and contrast of the brick, the moody sky, and the path leading to the door elevated this image to my favorite list. I made a large 34 inch print on fine art paper and it was just stunning. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f 3.5-6.3 at 50mm / f 8 / 1/160 sec / ISO 100.

I just think this is cool! Took this image of Curacao with a fisheye lens. By tilting the lens down I got the curvature effect makng it seem like you’re on top of the world. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor 10.5mm f 2.8 at f 11 / 1/200 sec / ISO 100.

This image of the Corner Palm on Hilton Head Island is at the top of the favorite list. So much, so, that I have it hanging on my wall. I love the minimalism. It makes you wonder why this palm is all by itself. If you look close enough, though, the palm is not completely alone. Can you see its companions? Nikon D810 and Nikkor 24-120mm f 4 at 112mm / f 8/ 3.0 sec / ISO 80.

The foreground framing, the grass behind the heron, and the contrasting brown and blue colors really make this image stand out. The viewer just really gets the sense of peering at the bird through the grass. I think he knows you're watching him! ‍Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200-500mm f 5.6 at 400mm / f 6.3 / 1/640 sec / ISO 640.

These Merganser ducks annually visit the pond behind my house. I cought this one having his breakfast. The morning sun casting orange light across the pond added a perfect complimentary accent to the duck’s colors. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor 200-500mm f 5.6 at 500mm / f 8 / 1/640 sec / ISO 1100.

‍ Another backyard shot. I saw how the foreground and background grasses just framed the heron and had to get this shot. The yellow blooms in the foreground really add depth and contrasting color to the image. Yes, I know, it’s like having a wildlife preserve in my backyard! ‍Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200-500mm f 5.6 at 400mm / f 5.6 / 1/80 sec / ISO 100.

This was one of those lucky shots where you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I love the subtle colors in this image, but what really makes it special are the drops of water cascading off his feet (look closely). Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor Z 24-200mm f 4-6.3 VR at 175mm / f 6.3/ 1/250 sec/ ISO 500.

I don’t do much street photography, but this moment just had so much emotion that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture it. For context, the photo is taken from the deck of a cruise ship docked in Antiqua. This gentleman had just returned from working a fishing boat and decided to take a break from unloading his catch. His look of wonder and longing, as well as the poor conditions of the pier as he peered up at the cruise ship really put things in perspective. Nikon Z50ii and Tamron f 4.5-6.3 at 400mm / f 6.3 / 1/320 sec / ISO 360.

This image is my favorite from our recent Caribbean cruise. The Carnival ship was maneuvering away from the pier during sunset while menacing clouds hovered overhead and a squall was in the distance. The sun lighting up the side of the ship with an orange glow added just that little bit extra to make this a truly standout image. Nikon Z50ii and Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f 3.5-6.3 at 21.5mm / f 8 / 1/60 sec / ISO 100.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my selection of favorites from 2025. I’m looking forward to capturing even better photos in 2026. Keep an eye on my website to see the latest additions; and please let me know, through the comments below, your thoughts on these images and the blog in general.

See you in the next blog!